Creating My Own Piece of History

(4th grade lesson plan)

Goals/Objectives

Language Arts

Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.

Objective 2-4: Formulates questions and finds relevant information from reading materials

Objective 2-5: Summarizes information from literary and informational materials

Goal 3: The learner will make connections with text through the use of oral language, written language, media and technology

Objective 3-8: Makes inferences and draws conclusions form informational texts and stories beyond personal experiences

Goal 5: Composing Process

Objective 5-1: Understands and uses stages in the process of writing with direct teacher support

Technology

Goal 3: The learner will use a variety of  technologies to access, analyze, interpret, synthesize, apply, and communicate information

Objective 3-2: Search and sort prepared databases for information to use in classroom projects

Social Studies

Goal 1: The learner will analyze the characteristics of the people in NC.

Goal 6: The learner will evaluate the significance of the movement of people, goods, and ideas from place to place

Lesson Plans

Time Required: 1-2 class sessions (30 minutes each)

Lesson Goals/Objectives: 1) Students will demonstrate techniques for researching and writing a piece of historical fiction. 2) Students will demonstrate the ability to search and sort though a database.

Materials/Resources Needed:

• Examples of published historical fiction: Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, Jack Tales (various authors), Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, etc.
• Overhead and transparencies with characteristics of historical fiction and a place for you to write down the classes ideas

Technical Requirements:

• Computers (1:2 ratio) with access to the Internet in order to search Historical Hopper

Pre-Activity Requirements:

• Students need to be familiar with the History Hopper and understand how it works
• Students need to understand the writing process and are familiar with the steps involved in writing fiction

Activity:

1.  Share pieces (excerpts) of historical fiction with your students. What are the characteristics of historical fiction? How is historical fiction different from "regular" fiction? Write students' answers and ideas on the overhead.
2. Discuss reasons why writers may choose this form of fiction. What are some advantages to using the style historical fiction? What makes historical fiction interesting to a reader?
3. Discuss ways students could use North Carolina figures to write historical fiction. What famous figures would be fun to write about? Why might we want to create a story about this particular figure?
4. While it might be fun to "make up" a story about a historical figure there are some steps we need to take in order to make sure we get some of the real facts right. 
5. We need to do a background check on our famous North Carolina figure:

                            a. Dates of the person's birth and death

                            b. Where did this person live in North Carolina?

                            c. Did he/she travel?

                            d. Who were other people that this figure was around? Were they part of an army? Who was his/her family?

                            e.  Who else was around that area during the same time? Could they have met? Would they have known each other? For what reasons?

                            f. What other events were going on in North Carolina at the same time? Where? What was the significance of these events?

    6.    Show students, using a computer, how using the History Hopper could help with researching background information.

    7.    Take students to the library and have them practice using the History Hopper. Use the Research Worksheet to help guide the students.

Assessment:

1. Allow students to use the History Hopper to explore. Make sure they have an understanding of how it works and ways to use it.

2. Have students (individually or in pairs) choose a historical figure to write about using the Historical Hopper.

Relevant Website:

History Hopper

Worksheets:

Research Worksheet  (approximately 2 pages printed)

 Lesson created by Jennifer P. Rosenbluth