Blog 9:Fiction vs. Non-Fiction for ELLs

I chose two texts that I have in my classroom.  Hands down, my ELL students (who are also primarily boys) tend to gravitate to the non-fiction texts.  I think that for them non-fiction is a lot more literal and clear for them to understand.  While the non-fiction texts have a lot of specific vocabulary, it is supported by an image or a good description.  In the fiction text, particularly the one I chose, there were more abstract concepts that were difficult to understand even with the picture support provided.  I think both are obviously very important – but I think that teachers need to choose wisely when using fiction texts to make sure they are clear enough for ELLs to make meaning of when they read.  Conversely, they need to make sure their students aren’t choosing only non-fiction to read.