11 Tips for Pairing Fiction With Nonfiction in Grades K–5

Pairing fiction with nonfiction is a great way to explore a content area from different points of view. In the early grades, it can help students learn and understand the characteristics of fiction and nonfiction and the differences between them. At all grade levels, pairing fiction with nonfiction can deepen dialogue and raise the level of student inquiry during classroom discussion. Many students typically gravitate toward fiction when making their own reading choices. As teachers, it’s our role to expose them to different materials, including nonfiction.