Resource 3: Choosing children’s literature for the classroom

It is important to expose students to a wide range of engaging stories and poems on a variety of themes.

1. Books and poems for young children can help them to:
   • learn to recognise letters, familiar words and phrases
   • learn to use pictures to predict and interpret words
   • learn word and sentence patterns that they can apply to other reading
   • gain confidence as readers.

   In selecting suitable texts for younger children, you should look out for:

   • familiar situations, such as home or community activities
   • patterns and sequences, such as numbers, days of the week, the weather or daily routines
   • repeated words and phrases, with variations
   • a strong correspondence between words and pictures
   • interesting images (photographs, pictures or drawings) for students to talk about
   • shortness in length to maintain students’ attention and encourage them to read the text themselves.
2. Books and poems for older children can help them to:
   • learn to use high-level vocabulary and phrases
   • understand the power of stories and reading
   • learn about their history and traditions
   • develop an understanding of dilemmas and problems.

   In selecting suitable texts for older children, you should look out for:

   • exciting narratives and interesting characters
   • drama, conflict and resolutions, journeys, or transformations
   • humour or interesting dialogue
   • opportunities for children to reflect
   • important messages.