Encyclopedias

Reference books keep students actively engaged, build information access skills, and boost content area vocabulary and skills. Teachers can integrate them into the curriculum through independent reading, guided reading, treasure hunts, vocabulary games, research, just pure fun, and more. Well-established students thrive on the depth of knowledge they can plunge into, while struggling or uninterested readers can feel successful as readers and researchers more than with a lengthy novel. Reference books are typically of high interest for all students and quickly become dog-eared as they're read over and over for pure interest sake. The Internet is a fabulous resource, but nothing can completely replace being able to put your hands on the actual pages of content and pictures. Every classroom library needs these books and most need several copies of each.