An
example of a book that is often used in a science based classroom setting is
“Hot Zone.” This book is written as
if it was a fiction novel, but it is based on a true story. The wording is easy to understand and
give enough suspense to keep the reader enthralled by what could happen next. This is a great book to introduce
disease and microbiology to students.
It lets them know that these things are really out there and that is not
just something that happens in third world countries, but can happen to places
like where they live. This book
shows how it can drastically change people’s lives moments with something that
we can not even see with the naked eye.
George, Marshall. (2001). What's the Big Idea? Integrating Literature in the Middle School. Retrieved from http://www.adlit.org/article/22976/
Stallworth, Joyce. (1998). The Young Adult Literature Course: Facilitating the Integration of Young Adult Literature into the High School English Classroom. Retrieved from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/fall98/stallworth.html
George, Marshall. (2001). What's the Big Idea? Integrating Literature in the Middle School. Retrieved from http://www.adlit.org/article/22976/
Stallworth, Joyce. (1998). The Young Adult Literature Course: Facilitating the Integration of Young Adult Literature into the High School English Classroom. Retrieved from http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/fall98/stallworth.html
I think you bring up a great point with this question. "Why do we have to do this" is definitely a question I asked all throughout school, and I imagine it is one we will hear all the time as teachers. I think using Young Adult Literature as a way to teach students, rather than textbooks, is a good way to approach this question. By showing that what they are learning in class is also seen in a novel, it shows students a connection to the real world. While they may feel that the classroom and its textbook is so compartmentalized and different from the real world, if they see the topic brought up in a novel, they will see that it is a relevant lesson even outside of the classroom. I think it is good you have suggested a biology based novel for students to read. From what you explained about the book, it seems like it will teach the students a valuable lesson. As you mentioned, it is important for students to see that disease isn't necessarily so far away from them. And, since this information isn't coming from a textbook, students' may be more apt to understand and connect to this issue.
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