Content Driven Classroom

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I recently read a novel titled Mary Called Magdalene, written by Margaret George (2002), a well known writer of historical fiction. I read this novel partly because I had been interested for some time in Mary Magdalene and all I knew about this important woman who figured in the life of Jesus Christ was the limited descriptions of her and her role found in scholarly books or in the New Testament. The idea that Mary Magdalene was a far more important person in the life of Christ and in the development of the Christian religion came to my attention with the publication of The DaVinci Code, a book that I read some time ago.

The value of reading historical fiction as well as nonfiction seems to me to be quite obvious. What fiction brings to the reader is the opportunity "to interact with texts from a number of perspectives that are impossible to achieve in nonfiction alone (Vacca & Vacca, 2005, p. 171)." Historical fiction is seen by Vacca and Vacca (2005) as helping a reader to move outside of the everyday world and to consider a subject from a different point of view. Reading about the important figures from history, even when the text is fictional rather than biography or critical analysis, can help to humanize historical figures and events. I certainly learned far more about what Mary Magdalene's life may have been like from reading Margaret George's (2002) book.

I think it is important to strike a balance between the use of textbooks, fiction, nonfiction, and ev

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ately captures the interest of readers through the headline, "Ivan Carries Its Wrath Inland after Shredding Coastal Areas." In the first paragraph, the authors reference 130-mph winds and the deaths of 22 people -- statistics that add to the immediate appeal and seriousness of the story. Finally, this article does not require much in the way of Prior Knowledge because it thoroughly describes the effects of the hurricane and discusses the reaction of a business owner in New Orleans, Louisiana to the potential damage that Ivan might have caused. Simple language, the limited need for prior knowledge, a straightforward writing style, and attention-grabbing language contribute to the overall friendliness of the piece. A second readability strategy is the Readability Checklist. This passage is extremely understandable, usable, and interesting. It does not present overwhelming statistical data or scientific explanations for a hurricane. It immediately attracts the interest of readers by identifying the damage caused by the hurricane in terms of property and human life. It is useful to the reader because it specifically describes the known effects of the hurricane while eliminating any sensational material. The text is coherent,
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1847
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)

Content Driven Classroom

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