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This document provides summaries of several sources that could be used to teach students about the historical fiction genre and the American Revolution. These include picture books, presentations, graphic organizers, websites on the Declaration of Independence and causes of the Revolutionary War, a fictional book about a boy in the Revolution, an informational book presenting both patriot and loyalist views, a book on battles and leaders, reconstructed newspaper articles, and a Walt Whitman poem depicting the new American freedom. The sources would provide background information, examples of different text genres, and opportunities for student research and exploration of the time period.
Text set
- 1. John, Paul, George & Ben by Lane Smith Reading Level: 3.5 Smith, L. (2006). John, Paul, George & Ben. New York, NY: Hyperion. This is a historical fiction picture book which includes short fictional anecdotes about John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Using it as an introduction to the concept of historical fiction, the students will begin to understand the overlapping of fictional accounts with nonfictional, historically correct facts.
- 2. Historical Fiction Prezi by Carmelle LaMothe Reading Level: 5th LaMothe, C. (2011, July 11). Historical Fiction and Common Core Standards. Retrieved from http://prezi.com/glsdsbm__tj8/historical-fiction-and-common-core-standards/ This presentation offers descriptions about the genre of historical fiction and gives the viewer various forms of media to help solidify understanding. She uses videos from the Internet, suggestions for books to read, and connections with the curriculum standards of her state. While these connections are not with the Virginia SOL, the standards she outlines are very similar to those I have used for my objectives for this Unit. Allowing the students to peruse through this presentation would help them gain a better understanding of what they will be learning throughout the Unit, and it will allow them to explore through various types of media.
- 3. Historical Fiction Graphic Organizer by Christi Fultz Reading Level: 3-5th Grade Fultz, C. (2012, March 27). Hunting for Historical Fiction Facts. Retrieved from http://www.msfultz.com/historical_tchart.pdf This graphic organizer would be used by the student during reading of an historical fiction story by using what they have read to then describe how that helps them infer that the author is writing about the past. In my instruction, I would use this while having the students read historical fiction on their own. They would be better able to write down their thoughts about how the story lends itself to the historical fiction genre.
- 4. Declaration of Independence Online by USHistory.org Reading Level: 4-5th Grade U.S. History.org. (2012). The Declaration of Independence. Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/ This website displays every detail of the Declaration of Independence. It offers visitors of the site the exact verbiage of the document for them to read. It also provides a scan of the original copy of the document. The site goes on to offer names of signers, information that is related to the Declaration of Independence, and many other methods to help viewers gain more insight. In my own instruction, I would use this to help the students explore the effects of the American Revolution. They would use this information to help them create their short stories.
- 5. Causes of the Revolutionary War by David White Reading Level: 3-5th Grade White, D. Causes of the Revolutionary War. Retrieved from http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/causesrevwar.htm This websites provides viewers with a brief, bullet-pointed synopsis of the reasons why the colonists revolted against the British. As the author uses key terms, he hyperlinks the text to enable the viewer to click on it which then brings them to another page that explains the term. Using this in my instructional plan would include having the students explore the page and its links to help them understand the background of the American Revolution.
- 6. The Fighting Ground by Avi Reading Level: 3-5th Grade Avi. (1988). The Fighting Ground. New York, NY: HarperCollins. This book is about a boy who fights in the American Revolution while at the same time dealing with his own troubles. I would use this as a read aloud book to read to my students throughout the duration of this Unit. This will give them a better look into a larger piece of historical fiction that uses an imaginary main character. I would most likely not have any assignments derived from the reading, but I would read for the students’ enjoyment.
- 7. George vs. George, the American Revolution As Seen from Both Sides by Rosalyn Schanzer Reading Level: 5-8th Grade Schanzer, R. (2007). George vs. George, the American Revolution As Seen from Both Sides. Des Moines, IA: National Geographic Children’s Books. This book is a nonfictional representation of what life was like during the Revolutionary time period. The author presents ideas from both ways of thinking (Patriot v. Loyalist) about what actually happened during the War. It is similar in style to a comic book which is effective in getting students’ attention. I would offer this book to my students as a way of obtaining more background information on the American Revolution.
- 8. American Revolution: Battles and Leaders by DK Publishing Reading Level: 3-5th Grade (2007). American Revolution: Battles and Leaders. New York, NY: DK Children Publishing. This book is a nonfiction, informational text that includes many of the various historical figures about whom the students will be writing. This would be a book I could include in my classroom library for the students to refer to when researching about their historical figure. The genre will also help the students become more familiar with nonfiction texts.
- 9. Revolutionary Newspaper Articles by PBS Reading Level: 5th Grade PBS.org. Chronicles of the Revolution. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle.html This site gives viewers six different articles about topics that occurred during the American Revolution. These articles are from actual newspapers printed in during the late 1700’s. Using these articles during instruction would help the students gain even more insight into the thoughts and opinions of people living during this time.
- 10. I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs. “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman Reading Level: 5th Grade Whitman, W. (1860). Leaves of Grass. Boston: Thayer and Eldridge. This poem describes how Whitman views the new-found American freedom from the British. Using this poem in my class to display yet another genre of text will also give them an opportunity to visualize the time period. It will help them to gain more background knowledge on the thoughts of people during the American Revolution.
- 11. • This is a variety of materials I could use to enhance my students' learning of the Historical Fiction genre, specifically relating to their research on the American Revolution era.