Using Historical Fiction to Integration Literacy & Social Studies

In the novel, Number the Stars, Louis Lowry begins this novel with a bang by first describing Annemarie’s frightening encounter with German soldiers in the first chapter.  This historical fiction novel takes place during the Holocaust. 

Annemarie explains the world through the eyes of a 10-year old.  I believe this novel would be an excellent mentor text for teaching children how to explain a historical event through the eyes of a character (child, parent, teacher, neighbor, grandparent, etc.)  The author takes complicated historical events and simplifies events within the 10-year old perspective.  

For example, 

“The Resistance fighters were Danish people—no one knew who, because they were very secret—who were determined to bring harm to the Nazis however they could. They damaged the German trucks and cars, and bombed their factories. They were very brave. Sometimes they were caught and killed. (1.55)  

She boils this down to just the essential—just the information a 10-year-old needs to know.  

So, by “reading like a writer,” I thought about how I would use this wonderfully written historical fiction novel as a mentor text for historical fiction.  In the elementary setting, Social Studies must be integrated into literacy.  So, as a writing extension, have student “show what they know” about XX [insert historical event such as the Boston Tea Party] by writing a narrative of the story told through the eyes of a character living at that time.  Wish I would’ve thought of this when I was a 5th-grade teacher!

This really is a great book.  It’s been sooo long since I’ve read it and I’m flying through it this second time around. 

Until next week,

Dr. K.

Out of Mind--Finished!

I finished this book!  It was a great read and I highly recommend this for everyone—especially those who are fans of Wonder.  I WISH I would've  had this book as a classroom teacher.  There was tension as Melody, the main character, falls victim to discrimination.  

They don’t invite her to breakfast before they leave for the championship tournament because it’s inconvenient.  The other students and parents weren’t being malicious, they didn’t want the burden.  Then, Melody is faced with a devastating situation (I won’t share it because I don’t want to give it away!) and the reader is sad.  The reader feels for Melody—we are empathetic!  And, isn’t that what we want from ourselves as teachers?  From our students?  We want them to feel empathy towards others and to create a culture of caring in our classrooms.

Then, after the dust of the above event settles, we are faced with yet ANOTHER turn of events…. Ahh!  Why?  We had the conflict and we are working towards the resolution of the story and BAM, the unexpected happens.   I am still trying to figure out why the author opted for this in this story’s plot.  As a reader (and as a mom), this plot twist was wrenching and by this point, I didn’t find it necessary (again, won’t give away this plot twist).   After finishing, I was left thinking that this is a great read – one I would definitely recommend to each of you… however, my vote would be to eliminate the second sad event in this story – it’s just too much pulling on my heartstrings! 

I can't wait to catch up with what you all are reading!  

Out of my Mind

My daughter just finished the book she shared with all of you, Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper.  She's passed it on to me because "It's sooooo good!" and I'm about 1/2 way through the novel.  

I did a quick search on the novel as was pleased to see this book is a National Best-Seller.  I also found out Draper is a two-time Correta Scott King award recipient, which recognizes outstanding African American authors and illustrators who write for a youth audience.  Pretty cool!  

I found this book a nice compliment to Wonder, and believe both of these books will forever change how we all look at anyone with a disability.  

The main character, Melany has cerebral palsy. But she also has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school, but NO ONE knows it. Most people—her teachers, her doctors, her classmates—dismiss her as mentally challenged because she can’t tell them otherwise. 

I'm finding myself torn between the shock of her mistreatment and the shock of facing any personal biases I might have unconsciously shared towards other with disabilities.  Our brains make incredibly quick judgments and assessments of people and situations without us realizing it.  This is something we all must continually work on.  

This title is so appropriate as the main character is going out of her mind trying to let others know she is more than her disability.  But, the author wrote this story in such a way that we are not to feel sorry for Melany-- Melany does not feel sorry for herself.  She sees beauty in this world.  

I can't help but feel great proudness of my daughter, Alice, while reading this book.  She is the most giving and loving child I know.  She works with a boy who has cerebral palsy at school, giving up her recess 2x/week to spend time him, and it is the highlight of her day.  She is not afraid to stand up for others and she's the first to befriend someone who is outcasted.  I am thankful for books like Out of my Mind and Wonder that raise awareness and generate critical discussions at home and school to promote social justice.  

This book provides a way for us to give ourselves a reality check.  When we see someone with a disability--let's not look away.  Let's not pretend we don't see or don't know what to say. Instead, let's just smile and say hello!