The benefits of reading fiction

A University of Buffalo study found that when reading fiction, you actually benefit in several ways, partly by improving in the area of "social thinking" (understanding what the world is like for others) and partly by reaping the benefits that come from social belonging. Many of us have had the experience of feeling as if characters in a book were so real they were people we actually know. Now there is a study that confirms this actually happens and that we are changed by these fictional social encounters.

Commenting on this study, Professor Keith Oatley remarks, "If I read fiction, this kind of social thinking is what I get better at. If I read genetics or astronomy, I get more expert at genetics or astronomy. In fiction, also, we are able to understand characters' actions from their interior point of view, by entering into their situations and minds, rather than the more exterior view of them that we usually have. And it turns out that psychologically there is a big difference between these two points of view. We usually take the exterior view of others, but that's too limited. It is the first empirical finding, so far as I know, to show a clear psychological effect of reading fiction. It's a result that shows that reading fiction improves understanding of others, and this has a very basic importance in society, not just in the general way making the world a better place by improving interpersonal understanding, but in specific areas such as politics, business, and education."

Nina Laden came to school!

What an exciting day we had with author and illustrator, Nina Laden, who came to campus yesterday to do a K-4 assembly as well as art and writing workshops with Kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grades! Her books have been published around the world (Roberto was even made into a short animated film) and they have been tremendously popular with many of our students thanks to their lively artwork and clever use of language.

In the assembly, Nina described her childhood as the daughter of two artists, as well as her early art career before she began to make a living as an author and illustrator of children's books. She also talked about her latest projects, including a beautiful picture book due out later this year, and a middle grade chapter book (hopefully soon to be published).

The workshops were great fun and also inspirational as students learned Nina's 4 R's of writing as well as having the opportunity to create their own dog characters. Some enthusiastic students were inspired to immediately start writing stories about their dogs. Take a look at these happy 4th graders and their adorable dogs!

 

Kindergartners may be small, but they created some pretty amazing art. I wish I had room to share everyone's work, but here are just a few. We have a smartly dressed gentleman dog with glasses...

This one has so much personality, he looks ready to leap off the page! 

This classy poodle is named Layla!

And here is a most dignified Labrador Retriever. To me he looks like a character from an Austen novel!

Enter the annual bookmark contest!

It's that time of year again! University Book Store's bookmark contest is underway, this year with the theme "Books Are Made of Awesome!" Students in grades K-8 are eligible to enter. Winners will be chosen in three grade divisions (K-2, 3-5 and 6-8). These talented artists will have their work printed up as bookmarks to be distributed at all branches of the bookstore and in many school libraries.

We will be handing out entry forms and information sheets in the school library this week. Any student interested in entering may take one home. The deadline is Friday, April 5th.

Entries may be submitted in person at any UBS branch or mailed to:

Kids Books
University Book Store
4326 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105-5809

Please do not send completed entries to school! We cannot take responsibility for them and do not want your child's precious artwork to get mislaid.

I have uploaded a copy of the rules to my SWIFT and Sharepoint pages. We will likely have extra entry forms available in the library as of Friday.

Roland Smith!

Yesterday our middle school students had a fantastic visit with Pacific Northwest author, Roland Smith! He shared a lifetime of experiences as a zookeeper, wildlife biologist and well-traveled author. Roland had many nuggets of wisdom to share, urging students to write about what they care passionately about, to read (and read some more!), to do thorough research before beginning to write, and to make time daily for the practice of writing - and revision! He also gave them many practical tips that will help them take their bright ideas and life experiences and turn them into full-length books.

 

In addition to writing numerous adventure fiction books, including an entry in the popular 39 Clues series, Roland's achievements include coordinating the rescue of sea otters following the Exxon Valdez oil spill and spearheading the successful reintroduction of the critically endangered red wolf to the wild (the first time a carnivorous species had been successfully returned to the wild).

 

Roland kept our students and teachers enthralled throughout the day and we were very happy to welcome him to Open Window School!

March book presentation for 5th grade: published before 1900

The theme for March is books published before or shortly after 1900 (up to about 1910). There are several ways to find these classic books!

1) We have a selection of about 15 titles in the school library for students to borrow. (To see the full list, click on "Open Window School," choose "Copy Categories" in the upper right-hand corner, and choose Pre/Circa-1900 to view the choices. Or just stop by the school library to browse!)

2) The database ProQuest Learning: Literature offers full-text access to tens of thousands of literary works including many full-length novels which may be read on your e-reader or home computer (login information is available on my Sharepoint page in the Database & Research & Homework Information folder).

3) Goodreads has a list of books shelved by readers on the pre-1900 shelf. Bear in mind that classics are best appreciated when the reader is familiar with the historical and cultural contexts, so a bit of parental help with that is great. You can use World Book Online or History Study Center (two databases we subscribe to) to learn about the setting for your book.

4) You may borrow a Nook from the school library. Each one comes loaded with several pre-1900 classics. See the Nook information folder on my Sharepoint page for more information (students must submit a signed Nook permission form).

Of course, you can always ask a friend or relative for a recommendation! One of my personal favorites from this time period is The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald.

The Purim Superhero!

Yesterday we hosted Elisabeth Kushner, a Vancouver, BC librarian and author who recently published her first picture book, The Purim Superhero. In three separate sessions, she met with kindergarten and first grade, second and third grades, and fourth grade. Elisabeth taught the students a Purim song (accompanied on the ukulele!), showed them the storyboard she'd blocked out as she planned her book, read from her first draft and let them compare and contrast, described how publishers coordinate the work of authors and illustrators, explained what a long road it is from bright idea to published book, etc.

To prepare for her visit, during library classes we read The Story of Esther by Eric Kimmel (which explains why Jews celebrate Purim) and Purim by Carmen Bredeson (which explains how the holiday is celebrated). Familiarity with the background helped them better understand this charming story about Nate, who wants to dress up as an alien for Purim, and Max, his friend at Hebrew School who tells him he "has" to be a superhero like all the other boys. Nate's dads help him learn from the story of Esther how to be courageous and true to yourself in the face of outside pressure. (You'll have to read the book to find out Nate's clever compromise solution!)

I particularly enjoyed hearing the students' comments; many of them had fascinating and surprising ideas about the various characters. For example, William commented that perhaps Max was showing caring for his friend, worried that he might feel left out as the only boy who wasn't dressed as a superhero. This was a kind and original insight into Max's behavior that had not occurred to me. Mira suggested that perhaps it was Max who was afraid of being the only one dressed differently, hence his desire to get all the other boys to be superheroes. This deeply thoughtful theory about Max's possible motivations was another one I hadn't considered!

It all goes to show much richness is hiding within the 32 slim pages of a picture book when you share it with a group of eager children! Happy Purim to all those who celebrate!

World Citizen Essay Contest - grades 3-12

I just heard about an essay contest that is a great fit for our students! The World Citizen Essay Contest for 3rd through 12th graders exists "to promote discussion among students, teachers, families, and community members about the ways that individuals can effect positive change in the global community." Interested in entering? Check out the website for more details and submit your entry by March 29, 2013!