Historical Fiction Genre Study
As students begin to understand fiction and nonfiction, introduce the genre of historical fiction which includes examples of both. These lessons and activities show you how.
Articles
Why & How I Teach with Historical Fiction
by Terry Lindquist
Instructor Magazine |
Read why this teacher uses historical fiction in the classroom, her tips for choosing good historical fiction, and her strategies for helping students differentiate between fact and fiction.
Our America
American history lesson covering the Colonial Period, the Revolutionary War, Westward Expansion, the Civil War, the Turn of the Century, the Great Depression, and World War II.
Getting the Historical Details Right in The Ravenmaster's Secret
by Dianne Hess
The Ravenmaster's Secret is a work of historical fiction set in the Tower of London in 1735. How did Scholastic editor Dianne Hess work with author Elvira Woodruff to ensure that each historical detail was accurate?
Internet Field Trip: Fiction Illuminating the Past
by Monica Edinger
Provides Web sites with information on historical fiction, including works by Kathryn Lasky, Deborah Hopkinson, and Karen Cushman.
Steps To Freedom
by Dr. Susan Shafer
Get a free lesson plan about the book Almost to Freedom by Vaunda Micheax Nelson, about slavery in Virginia.
That's Cheeky!
by Dr. Susan Shafer
Students can check their understanding of special English words from history by matching each word with its meaning.
Resources
Henry's Freedom Box Lesson Plan
by Michele Higgins
Students will use Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine to identify new information about slavery and the Underground Railroad, and make connections with story and new information learned.
Activities
Use these quick activities and printables to enhance sharing of this charming holiday picture book.
Activities, Discussion guides, video and more for all of the Dear America books
Dear America: Look to the Hills Booktalk
In spite of her education, her appearance, and her expectations, when she is only twelve, Zettie discovers what being property, what being a slave, really means.
My Brother Sam Is Dead Discussion Guide
This young adult novel, which successfully captures the pain of the Revolutionary War, is a fine example of historical fiction.
My Brother Sam Is Dead Extension Activities
Extension activity for My Brother Sam is Dead by Christopher Collier Ph.D and James Lincoln Collier.
Esperanza Rising Lesson Plan
Students will provide examples from the text to illustrate a theme of the book through character analysis.
Esperanza Rising
Cool games and activities for Esperanza Rising, by Pam Munoz Ryan.
Esperanza Rising Discussion Guide
Thirteen-year-old Esperanza's world changes completely when she and her mother are forced to leave their comfortable life in Mexico and work in a labor camp in California.
Back to Paul Revere! Extension Activities
Extension activity for Back to Paul Revere! by Beatrice Gormley.
Catherine, Called Birdy Lesson Plan
In this lesson plan for Catherine, Called Birdy, students will compare society's expectation of women during the medieval ages with society's expectations of women in the new millennium.
Johnny Tremain Discussion Guide
Two dramatic years in his country's history are seen through the shrewd eyes of Johnny Tremain, whose life becomes dramatically bound up with some of the United State's most important patriots.
Lesson Plans
Historical Fiction: A Wealth of Interpretations
by Bryna Watkins and Valeta Pafford
Focuses on historical fiction as a writing genre and teaches students to use context to better understand character motivation. Involves reading, comparing and contrasting, and making an album.
A River Ran Wild Lesson Plan
Identify the cause and effect relationships in the events of the story.
The Prince and the Pauper
by Jennifer Chandler
Describes a unit plan for learning history through fiction, with a focus on the Renaissance Period of English culture.
