Encyclopedia

          Encyclopedias are a great reference to use in the classroom. Encyclopedias cover a broad range of subjects. Giving students an abundance of information over a certain topic. Encyclopedias can be used as a great resource when students are having to research a specific topic.The first criteria I look at when selecting an encyclopedia is organization. Encyclopedias contain a lot of information and if they are not correctly organized they can be very overwhelming for students. The second criteria I look at when selecting an encyclopedia is purpose. Encyclopedias cover a wide range of content it is important when selecting a text to make sure the topic of the text correlates with the standards being covered in class. It is also important to make sure the text is appropriate for your students.

          When selecting encyclopedia text to be used with in the classroom its important to make sure the text aligns with Iowa Common Core Literacy standards. It is also important to make sure the text aligns with the specific subject that will be covered in class. In my classroom I will use encyclopedias texts for read alouds. When reading these text I will only do sections at a time because they contain so much content. If students are struggling with understanding a topic from the textbook I will find an encyclopedia that correlates with that topic. This way students will be exposed to the concept multiple times. I plan to have a variety of encyclopedias available in my classroom library for students to read on their own time. Lastly, I want to make sure my encyclopedias are appealing for my students. Students are more likely to grab a book off a shelf it it is appealing to them.

Few, R. (1991). Animal encyclopedia for children. New York, New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.

Complex text level

• Sixth and seventh grade

Grade level for read-aloud

• Fifth and sixth grade

The animal encyclopedia for children discusses all the different types of animals and the environment they live in. This text would be great to use when students are conducting a research project. This text is broken down into the different environments. It briefly explains the environments and than discusses all the different animals that live in that environment. The text includes illustrations of all the different types of animals along with a short description of each animal. The text also bolds and make font sizes bigger for important terms students may not know. Students may need assistance with complex vocabulary words. Some of the complex words are amphibian, carnivore, plankton, scavenger, and subtropical.

Masoff, J. (2000). Oh, Yuck! The encyclopedia of everything nasty. New York, New York: Workman Publishing Company.

Complex text level

• Eighth and ninth grade 

Grade level for read-aloud

• Seventh and eighth grade

Oh, Yuck discusses all the disgusting things people encounter throughout a lifetime.  At the end of the text it gives students multiple gross experiments they can try on their own. Oh, Yuck contains multiple text features to grab the attention of students. Green boxes can be found throughout the text. Inside these green boxes are interesting facts about concepts being discussed on that specific page. The illustrations found throughout the text directly correlate to what the text is discussing. They're  fun animations that engage students in understanding. This text discusses all the gross and disgusting that humans can encounter. It talks about gross bodily functions along with gross animals. Students may need assistance with complex vocabulary words. Some of the words include suffocates, accumulates, simmers, clotting, strep, brunettes, blubbery, inflate, and callus.