K-6 Social Studies Resources
February 2016
How to Teach with Historical Fiction
Historical fiction illustrates different time periods and helps integrate social studies, reading, and writing.
Reasons to teach with historical fiction:
1. It gets kids curious about a topic. Does it always have to be a novel, no! There are lots of different historical fiction picture books.
2. It helps give all students background knowledge of the time period. Giving students background knowledge helps them infer and draw conclusions of texts.
3. It helps students see different perspectives of the time period with oral and written clues.
4. It helps connect social studies to the other subjects in your day.
How to Choose a Good Historical Fiction:
- present a well-told story that doesn't conflict with historical records,
- portray characters realistically,
- present authentic settings,
- artfully fold in historical facts,
- provide accurate information through illustrations, and
- avoid stereotypes and myths.
Teacher Resources:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/why-and-how-i-teach-historical-fiction
http://teachinghistory.org/issues-and-research/roundtable-response/25287
http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1125&context=lajm
The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradely
A Wall Street Journal's Best Children's Book of 2015
An exceptionally moving story of triumph against all odds set during World War 2, from the acclaimed author of Jefferson’s Sons and for fans of Number the Stars.
Nine-year-old Ada has never left her one-room apartment. Her mother is too humiliated by Ada’s twisted foot to let her outside. So when her little brother Jamie is shipped out of London to escape the war, Ada doesn’t waste a minute—she sneaks out to join him.
So begins a new adventure of Ada, and for Susan Smith, the woman who is forced to take the two kids in. As Ada teaches herself to ride a pony, learns to read, and watches for German spies, she begins to trust Susan—and Susan begins to love Ada and Jamie. But in the end, will their bond be enough to hold them together through wartime? Or will Ada and her brother fall back into the cruel hands of their mother?
This masterful work of historical fiction is equal parts adventure and a moving tale of family and identity—a classic in the making.
Age range: 9-12 years old
Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf
A gripping tale of one girl’s struggle against the Nazis.
“Remember who you are, Milada.” Milada’s grandmother says these words on the night the Nazi soldiers come to their home in Czechoslovakia. But what do they mean? She is Milada, who lives with her mama and papa, her brother and sister, and her beloved Babichka. Milada with the sun-kissed hair, eleven years old, fastest runner in her school. How could she ever forget?
Then the Nazis send Milada to a Lebensborn center in Poland, and Milada quickly discovers that holding on to her true identity will be the greatest struggle of her young life.
Age range: 10-14 years old
Crow Call by Lois Lowry
Two-time Newbery medalist Lois Lowry has crafted a beautiful picture book about the power of longing and the importance of reconnection between a girl and her father in post-WWII America.
This is the story of young Liz, her father, and their strained relationship. Dad has been away at WWII for longer than she can remember, and they begin their journey of reconnection through a hunting shirt, cherry pie, tender conversation, and the crow call. This allegorical story shows how, like the birds gathering above, the relationship between the girl and her father is graced with the chance to fly.
Age range: 8-10 years old
Black History Month
Here are some practical ways to integrate Black History Month into your classroom.
Teacher Resources:
http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/black-history-month.htm
http://teacher.scholastic.com/africanamericanheritage/
https://www.teachervision.com/black-history-month/teacher-resources/6602.html
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/black-history-month-teaching-resources-matthew-davis
Picture books for Black History Month:
http://www.readingrockets.org/booklist/favorite-books-for-black-history-month
http://fun.familyeducation.com/black-history-month/childrens-books/74667.html
Meredith Davis
K-6 ELA & SS
Curriculum Coordinator
Email: meredith.davis@southlakecarroll.edu
Website: www.southlakecarroll.edu
Location: 2400 North Carroll Avenue, Southlake, TX, United States
Phone: 817.949.8247
Twitter: @carrollcurric