Procedural

What are Procedural texts?

• Procedural texts tell the reader how something is done, or how to do something. There are some things that just can't be done in the home, but procedural texts explain how those tasks are completed in the proper settings. I included an example of this below, From Metal to Music. The other form of procedural text tells the reader how to do something, which can be done by the average person. This can include: cooking, crafts, and other hobbies. Below, I also included an example of this kind of text, Betty Crocker Kids Cook.

Criterion for Quality and Selection:

• The most important quality to look for when selecting a procedural text is its organizational structure. Since they are explaining a process, it's crucial that all of the steps are in order, otherwise the reader could become lost or confused. If the text were explaining a process that could be done by the reader, unorganized steps would result in a flawed final project.  
• The second most important quality to look for in procedural text is the accuracy of the information. In most cases there is more than one way to do something, so we want to make sure the information in text is correct. When students are following a procedure from a text, we want to make sure they get the rest results possible and that requires accurate information. 

Use in the Classroom:

• This genre would be great for introducing how-to writing to younger students. When they are able to see an example of a good procedural/how-to text to build the foundation for their own writing.
• When going on field trips we often learn about how something works, so procedural text could lead into a field trip. 
• If going to a concert read a book about how instruments are made.
• If going to an dairy, learn how ice cream comes from a cow.

TEXT EXAMPLES:

Davis, W. (1997). From metal to music. New York, NY: Children's Press.

• Complex Text Level: 1st - 2nd
• Grade Level Span for Read-Aloud: 
• Kindergarten - 1st 
• Major Themes:
• Procedure
• Musical Instruments
• Worthy Qualities of Writing:
• The text is very well written and goes explicitly through each step of the process from metal to instruments. Also includes realistic illustrations that correlate with the text on the corresponding page.
• The end of the text includes a reference page of the different types of brass instruments. Each instrument has an illustration and a brief description.
• Support Needed:
• Explaining the different places and equipment used throughout the process.
• Examples: mill, mine, grinder, furnace, and molds.

Crocker, B. (2007). Betty Crocker kids cook! Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc.

• Complex Text Level: 2nd - 3rd
• Grade Level Span for Read-Aloud:
• Not a book I would read aloud to my students.
• Major Themes:
• Cooking
• Nutrition
• Measurement
• Worthy Qualities of Writing:
• There are a number of great text features throughout this text: 
• At the beginning there is a section called "Talk the Talk" which is essentially a glossary defining cooking terms. 
• At the end of the text there is also a metric conversion guide.
• For each recipe there is a realistic illustration of the food so students would have an idea of what their final creation is supposed to look like.
• The "You Are What You Eat" section includes nutrition information along with the MyPyramid, which explains the amounts of each food group a child should eat.
• Use in the Classroom:
• When teaching about nutrition in the classroom, you could send home recipes for the students to make with their parents. 
• Support Needed:
• Learning how to use measuring cups and spoons.
• Adding and subtracting factions.
• Preteaching some of the cooking terms from the beginning of the book. 
• Examples: boil, grate, and knead

Music

What are Music texts?

• Music is a genre that often gets forgotten in the general education classrooms. There are many different ways that music is incorporated into text, whether it's a specific text about instruments, how to play music, or artists and composers (present and past). There is a lot to be learned through music; it is one of the oldest concepts in the world and it is constantly being improved and updated!

Criterion for Quality and Selection:

• Since music generally isn't taught in the everyday classroom, I would say that purpose is the most important criterion. There can be many different reasons for including music in the classroom, whether the students are learning about beat, or are going to be going to a musical or concert. The teacher just needs to make sure that the text is matching what the students are learning or going to be learning to further their knowledge.
• Secondly, I would want to make sure that the text is appropriate for the students. There are some areas of music that are good for students to learn at a young age, and there are those that should be taught later on. Students need to be able to understand what they are reading, in order to fully comprehend music and it's importance.

Use in the Classroom:

• Having a personal love for music, I would want to incorporate music into my classroom in as many ways as possible. Students should be introduced to all the amazing composers of the past such as, Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart. As well as those who have shaped every other type of music including, jazz, country, rock 'n roll, and soul. 
• You could also use music text to introduce simple instruments to young students and teach them about different sounds and pitches they make. This can be done through maracas, shakers, bells, and drums. Simple objects that students can experiment with and explore, while also learning about them through literacy.

TEXT EXAMPLES:
Ardley, N. (1989). Eyewitness books: Music (1st ed.). London, UK: Dorling Kindersley.

• Complex Text Level: 5th - 6th
• Grade Level Span for Read-Aloud: 4th - 5th
• Major Themes:
• Musical Instruments
• Music History
• Worthy Qualities of Writing:
• The text is split into sections according to the different types of instruments such as, woodwind, brass, strings, and percussion. Within each section there are a number of different instruments illustrated, and each have a corresponding explanation.
• Other text features include a table of contents, an index, and history lessons within each of the different sections. 
• At the beginning of the text there is some basic background information on what music is and how it is made. The text shows different wavelengths instruments can make and how different instruments produce different sounds.
• Use in the Classroom:
• I would use this text for students interested in being in band. They would be able to research the instrument they are interested in and learn about it's history and evolution.
• Support Needed:
• On each page there is a lot going on, with all the different instruments listed, some students may need assistance on knowing where to look first. Some of the pictures also go across both pages so that could be extremely confusing. 

Pinkney, A., & Pinkney, B. (1998). Duke Ellington: The piano prince and his orchestra. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

• Complex Text Level: 3rd - 4th
• Grade Level Span for Read-Aloud: 2nd - 3rd
• Major Themes:
• Biography
• Jazz Music
• Worthy Qualities of Writing:
• The text is written chronologically, so the information is organized by Ellington's journey towards jazz music, also those members he picked up along the way.
• There were a number of different members that made up their band, and it includes a bit of background on each of them. 
• There are a number of great text features, the main one being the illustrations. They are artfully drawn and greatly enhance what is being said in the text. There is also a straightforward biography at the end of text (rather than a storyline, which the text is), and sources for more biographies on Ellington.
• Use in the Classroom: 
• I would use this text when teaching about influential individuals associated with music. Students could be assigned different individuals and create their own biography on the person and share it with the class.
• This text would also be great when teaching during Black History Month, and the importantce of Ellington and the creation of jazz music.
• Support Needed:
• What jazz music is and what it sounds like. The basis of the book is Ellington's journey of creating jazz music, so it would be beneficial for students to listen to some of his music and other jazz pieces.
• Preteaching of terms associated to music, such as notes, chords, sharps, and flats. This will allow students to better understand the text.