History in Children

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History in Childrens Literature

• Dr. Tonja L. Root
• Early Childhood Reading Education
• Valdosta State University
• Valdosta, GA 31698

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The Power of History in Childrens Literature

• Transports readers to another time and another
  place
• Allows readers to become a part of history
• Brings social studies to life
• Brings a deeper understanding and meaning to
  students

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Picture Books Regional and International Focus

• Benefits
• Captures students interest in places associated
  with characters
• Motivates students interest in maps and
  geographic information
• Allows for the integration of social studies,
  reading writing
• Provides information

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Picture Books Regional and International Focus

• Regions
• Northeast
• Southeast
• Midwest Great Plains States
• Southwest
• Far West
• International

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Biographies Benefits

• Relate historical information in an interesting
  and realistic manner
• Enable readers to experience real life
  vicariously by relating experiences providing
  historical context for understanding lives
• Increases students awareness of traits that
  characterize leaders

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Bio-Poems

• First name of biographical subject
• Four adjectives describing subject
• Husband/wife/sibling, etc., of . . .
• Lover of...(3 people, places, things)
• Who feels . . . (3 emotions)
• Who fears . . . (3 things)
• Who would like to see(3 things)
• Resident of(city, state, country)
• Last name of biographical subject

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Developing Expertise on Biographers their
Subjects

• Areas of Learning When Studying Biographies
• Learning about famous historical figures
• Learning about the literary genre of biography

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Studying Biographies of Different Subjects
Written by the Same Author

• Learn from enjoy unique portrayals of
  historical subjects
• Understand significance style of biography
• Analyze writing style, sense of humor, historical
  accuracy documentation, characterization,
  theme

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Studying Biographies of Same Subject/Theme by
Different Authors

• Compare contrast to determine each authors
• portrayal of subjects strengths weaknesses
• use of authentic materials for conveying story
• style of writing (point of view, tone)
• documentation
• type of biography (complete/partial)

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Using Historical Fiction Benefits

• Helps students experience the past
• Exposes them to conflicts, suffering, problems of
  those who lived before them
• Provides vicarious experiences of participating
  in the life of the past

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Responding to Historical Fiction through
Journals Benefits

• Students respond to literature by writing as they
  read.
• Readers are active participants in making meaning
  from the literature.
• Students process informative thoughts they
  experience while reading.
• It captures the personal interaction of the
  reader with that part of history.

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Historical Fiction Response Journals

• A place for students to express their thoughts,
  insights, feelings, reactions, questions,
  connections, opinions while reading a book
• Means of preserving those special transaction
  with books
• Chance to write without being graded free
  expression of ideas

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Historical Fiction Response Journals (cont.)

• May mention historical facts, names, setting
• May assume the role of a fictional character
• May respond to specific response prompts given by
  the teacher (p. 133)

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Historical Fiction Character Journals

• Encourages reader to become the main character
• Readers writes entries as if they were the
  character
• Writes entries in diary form after reading each
  chapter

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