Looking for a way to get your students interested in a topic? Business books can provide the necessary spark. Business books, which are primarily designed to entertain and inform outside the classroom, can be used successfully in the classroom to increase the motivation of your students. Trade books cover almost every topic under the sun, so you can probably find a book that aligns with your curriculum goals in such a way that it helps your students see the applicability of the topic. Students may show increased interest in the lively way a business book presents material on stilt writing in a textbook. While textbooks cover a topic in a prescribed way, a business book can introduce or expand on a topic by including it in a fictional setting or, alternatively, a real-life non-fiction account.
Classroom activities can be built around the theme of the book, so in addition to reading practice and vocabulary development, all kinds of derivative activities can be developed. Depending on the book, there may be several ways to explore the concepts presented in the story or story. Possibilities for math, science, social studies, geography, history, economics, and more may exist using the book as a starting point. Here are some ideas on how to use a craft book in the classroom.
Interest is essential. Since the main reason for introducing a business book into the classroom is to create interest in a topic, look for books that tell an interesting story. Humor helps as many children enjoy humor and can read more carefully if it is presented in a fun way. The book can still present serious themes and ideas. Another tip is to select books that address the interests of your students’ age group. Elementary students tend to like stories about animals, children their own age, and fairy tales. High school students are often like adventure, science fiction, and mystery. High school students enjoy books written for adults: biographies, general fiction, adventures, mysteries, historical novels, and science fiction.
Check the special features. Books with special features add more educational value. For example, glossary books can help vocabulary development. Books with research notes, bibliographies that list more potential material for exploration, and lists of related websites can help you develop teaching materials or help students write reports. Recipes can become fun learning experiences. Maps provide visual guidance for written descriptions. Drawings and photographs can provide accurate information about the physical aspects of an object. All of these features can be used to enhance students’ understanding of the teaching objective.
Reinforce literacy skills. Almost any trade book can be used to support the development and reinforcement of literacy skills. In addition to providing reading practice, business books can be used to support vocabulary development, storytelling skills, writing skills, and even editing skills. Some publishers provide grade-level reading score information for their books. Many do not, as there is a perception that doing so much prevents some otherwise interested readers from reading the book. Most schools give credit to students who read books beyond the assigned reading as a method of encouraging reading practice. The Accelerated Reader Program is used by more than 73,000 schools across the country. The database of this service includes more than 120,000 books, but it is limited considering that, according to Publishers Weekly, about 30,000 new children’s books are published each year. You may want to allow a broader selection of books than are currently in the Accelerated Reader Program database. Have students write a few paragraphs that summarize the story to show that they have read the book. A child may be genuinely interested in cars and willing to spend time reading about vintage models or car repair, but not particularly interested in Tom Sawyer.
Look for resources. Search the Internet for teaching resources designed for the book you have selected. Some publishers provide lesson plans, worksheets, discussion questions, and other teaching materials to supplement their books. Visit the publisher’s website or the author’s website to see what can be offered. You can also do this in reverse to find a book to use. Search the Internet using keywords such as “teaching aids”, “teaching aids”, “lesson plans”, “lesson plan”, “teaching ideas”, “teaching resources” or “teaching activities”. You can also search for specific lesson plan topics, and you can find an editor who has developed material for a related book.
Read, discuss, then act. Begin the new lesson by having students read the book you have selected. This can be done as homework or as a class activity, depending on your goals and the time available. Then begin a discussion of the book by highlighting the aspect related to your teaching objective. Follow the discussion by actively using material related to your teaching objective. For example, if your goal is for students to understand a historical event, ask your students:
For. build timelines,
B. create dioramas,
vs. put together costumes,
D. recreate the event,
me. participate in a simulated game program where students divide into teams and answer questions related to the event,
F. create cardboard displays,
gram. draw pictures to represent the event,
h. or write your own story incorporating the historical event.
Any or all of these activities will make the lesson more interesting for your students.
You may also consider inviting the author to your classroom or the author may offer an email exchange service where your students can interact with the author directly to ask questions about the book. The author’s enthusiasm for the topic is often contagious, and students can connect with the material through the author.
Engage your students’ imagination and curiosity. Use business books to bring a new emotion to your classroom. You can develop teaching materials to suit your teaching goals, or you can find ready-to-use teaching resources on the Internet. In either case, you can liven up a potentially boring topic and captivate your class by taking advantage of a trade book.
