Choosing Nonfiction Resources Critically
Wonderful resources for our biography unit! Not pictured: video of Libba singing. As I said in this post , choosing nonfiction (or any) resources critically is SO IMPORTANT, so here are some do’s and don’ts when looking for mentor texts or any type of media for students to consume. Look at publication dates. In general, older (sometimes “classic”) books tend to have stereotypical portrayals of people of color and gender roles (and more). Also, sometimes “classic” books are viewed with nostalgia and problematic and/or factually incorrect depictions are excused by saying “it was a different time.” Some examples: Little House on the Prairie, George and Martha (George dresses up as an “Indian”). We are not saying you cannot use these books, but be prepared to address the problematic images, language, or events. Avoid anything stereotypical, overly simplistic, or cartoonish (think of the