Teaching Informational Text in K-3 Classrooms: Best Practices to Help Children Read, Write, and Learn from Nonfiction

About Mariam Jean DreherSharon Benge Kletzien

Mariam Jean Dreher PhD is Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning Policy and Leadership at the University of Maryland College Park. Previously she was an elementary classroom teacher and Title I specialist. Her research interests include ways to integrate informational text into literacy instruction to enhance students comprehension vocabulary and motivation. Dr. Dreher has published numerous articles and books and has served on many editorial advisory boards receiving the Outstanding Reviewer Award from the Journal of Literacy Research. She is a consultant to National Geographic Childrens Books on a series of information books for young children. Dr. Dreher is also a recipient of a Fulbright Senior Specialist Grant and was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Oulu Finland. Sharon Benge Kletzien PhD is Professor Emerita at West Chester University of Pennsylvania where she was Chair of the Literacy Department taught reading courses and supervised the Reading Center. Previously she served as a reading specialist in elementary middle and high schools. Her research focuses on the areas of comprehension using information books for instruction and supporting students who struggle with reading. Dr. Kletzien has published many articles and book chapters and serves on the editorial boards of several major literacy journals. She is a recipient of the Outstanding Student Research Award from the American Educational Research Association Division C and the Program of Excellence Award from the National Council for the Social Studies.