Historical Fiction with 5th Grade

Monday, 5th graders looked at different genres of fiction, focusing on historical fiction for this week. After brainstorming some of the genres, we talked about what makes a book historical fiction.  I had started a Google presentation about historical fiction that you can find here and students would add information to it.  To make it easy to access, I added the link on the 5th grade Symbaloo here.




The students could click on the tile labeled "Historical Fiction" and easily get to the Google presentation. Each group had a laptop and a picture book that could be categorized as historical fiction. Their task was to type in the title and author of the book and then share what historical event or person was depicted. Time ran short, and we weren't able to get them completely finished, but will complete these in future visits and continue this process with other genres.

 

 

As students were choosing books for check out, I encouraged them to consider checking out a historical fiction book, reminding them of the 40 Book Challenge some of them are participating in. We even reviewed how to search for different types of books in the catalog, both by topic and by keyword.

 

My hope is that they will be excited about trying different genres of books when they are choosing.

 



It's Treat Tuesday!! Reading & Snacking!

It's my favorite day of the week!  The day where I share books and snacks! Thanks to Shannon Houghton for this great meme picture and Niki Barnes for the great idea!

As usual, I start out Tuesday just sure that I won't be able to get this post in on time, and then I finish a book that I must share!!  

 

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson is a wonderful historical fiction story based partly on Larson's own great-grandmother's experience as a homesteader in Montana in the early 1900's. Hattie, who has bounced around from relative to relative after her parents die, is given land in Montana by an uncle she never knew.  Hattie sees this as an opportunity to create a home for herself and not be indebted to anyone.  She has a year to "prove up" the land and meet certain requirements before the land will be hers.  This year proves to be very challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. 

 I loved this book for many reasons!  I loved that Hattie is a strong female character which an incredible will to succeed and a very strong work ethic!  I loved the many other characters that Larson wove throughout this story!  I loved Hattie's ability to see what relationships were worth her time, and which ones weren't!  I loved her ability to be optimistic, even in difficult times!  I loved that this book made me laugh and cry!  And I especially love that through Twitter and The Nerdy Book Club, I find out about exceptional books such as this!!  

And because I loved this book so much, I felt it was only fitting that I pair it with Valentine's candy!! Chocolate hearts & Kisses!  Yum! Yum!

Happy Reading and Snacking!!