Non-Fiction Books: Learning Through Books

Learning about Worms and Silkworms

The children have been exploring and playing with worms and other living things in the earliest playground.

In the last week, we have documented their questions and observations about silkworms.

Considering the children’s ongoing interest in living things, we read a nonfiction book about earthworms. The children were amazed to read and learn facts about earthworms, how they survived and how they help us. While reading the text, we identified the different features of nonfiction books:  

• The cover of the book has a title that tells us the topic. It could have a picture which helps the reader understand what the contents of the book might be about.
• A blurb at the back of the book gives us a brief indication about the content of the nonfiction book.
• There is a contents page which helps the reader find specific information.
• The pages are numbered to help the reader find the information quickly.
• Photographs, drawings and diagrams are included on pages.
• Information is shared about a topic.
• Labels and descriptions help the reader understand information about images.

Next, we noted all the information the children knew about worms and silkworms. We decided to organise the information into two columns, similarities and differences between worms and silkworms.

Key ideas and observations that the children shared offer opportunities for an in-depth study into worms and silkworms. In the coming days, we will reach out to experts who can give us more information about these living things.