Reading NF Books question

I was wondering.... When my kids read NonFiction books that pertain to a certain subject like history, math, science, ect. Do I give them credit in Reading, the Subject itself or both???

 

I give credit in both! My evaluator told me to, so I do!

 

Awesome deal!!! You just made two kids very happy!!! (Happy mom too ) Thank you very much for your fast response

 

ABSOLUTELY!!! They are reading, aren't they? Just like if they have to graph/chart information for science, that's also math!

 

Thanks Jackie Good to know about the science to math as well for future reference

 

It depends, though, doesn't it? Reading a biography of George Washington, for example, would most definitely count as history as well as reading. Reading a biography of Albert Einstein would be interesting, but I probably wouldn't count it as credit for science - because my children would not be able to demonstrate proficiency in relativity theory as a result of reading the biography. Reading a book like 'Longitude', though, would definitely count towards science.

So, I'd say it's a matter of personal judgment: Does the student learn or gain insight into the subject matter, or is the reading more peripheral in nature?

 

Steve, have you ever read this book: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/885110.Archimedes_and_the_Door_of_Science

It's one I would absolutely consider for science and history both. A very enjoyable read. Phillip especially was interested in the chapter on his war machines.

 

There are several books like this ('Longitude' is in that category) that fall under the category of 'popular science'. I agree with you that they make excellent reading and provide insight into the topic. When one of our sons started at Georgia Tech, I remember that he had to read 'Guns, Germs, and Steel', which also pulls together material from various subjects.

The point I was making, though, is that reading a biography of Carl Gauss, for example, wouldn't really help to understand practical mathematics.

 

Perhaps not, but it DOES help understand the person BEHIND that. And sometimes that's just as important. However, if ALL they read was stuff like that and nothing that helps with the practical, I would agree.

 

This spring, Em will begin reading a book on the history of Chemistry. It does not actually teach the subject, but is recommended reading to help students understand what they will be doing and how and why chemistry is applied. I am counting it as history, reading, and chemistry (science).