Extended Activities
Mary Reger
Essential Questions: Can
we learn about history by reading historical fiction?
Enduring
Understanding: The students will learn more in depth of one of the
four periods in history (Revolutionary War, Settler Period, Civil War,
Depression Period). They will
learn new vocabulary from their book.
They will use text-to-self, main idea, and prediction, character and
setting development skills through out the book.
Assessment: Each
student will keep a reading response notebook that will be graded. Each student will take a written test
on the Historical Fiction novel they read.
Materials:
á
Reading response notebooks
á
ÒCharacter MapÓ
á
ÒPrediction ChartÓ
á
ÒStory MapÓ
Suggested Procedures:
1. Assign students a book to read from one of the four
periods. Preview the book with
them and talk about the period their book is about.
2. Assign chapters as appropriate for each group. Have each student right in their
reading response notebook after each chapter. Assign these skills as appropriate for each book and
group: Main idea, text-to-self, prediction, character and setting development.
Discuss after each chapter.
3. Make a written test covering the book they read and
administer to each student.
Essential Questions: How
can you write a play from a novel?
Enduring
Understanding: Each student will learn how to write a play from a
book they read on Historical Fiction.
They will also learn about other times in history by watching
plays done by other reading
groups.
Assessment: Each
student will write a play based on the historical fiction novel they read using
the ÒWriting a PlayÓ worksheet..
Each student will perform a part(s) in their play based on their
historical fiction novel. Each student will complete a ÒPlay SummaryÓ worksheet
on the other plays.
Materials:
á
ÒWriting a PlayÓ
worksheet
á
Play script written by
students or by teacher
á
Props (and puppets) for
play or puppet play.
á
ÒPlay SummaryÓ worksheet
Suggested Procedures:
1. When they are done with their historical fiction novel
have each student complete the ÒWriting a PlayÓ worksheet. Handout an example of a play for them
to see. Meet several times while
they write their plays to give guidance.
When they are done you may use one students play or write a new version
combining the studentsÕ efforts.
2. When the play is written assign part(s) to each
student. Give them one copy for
school practice and one copy for home practice. Have them highlight their part(s). Read through the play with them and have them continue to
practice for the length of time it takes to memorize parts.
3. Have students make a list of props they will need for
their play. They must decide if
they will make props or get them from home. If you are doing a puppet play they will needs to make
scenery backdrops. Assign students
to draw and paint backdrops.
4. If you are doing a play the students need to decide on
what they will wear for a costume and how it will be made etc. If you are doing a puppet play you need
to decide on what kind of puppets (stick, hand, sock, etc.) you will use and
what materials will be needed.
5. Once you have the set done with props and costumes
ready, or the puppets made and all scenery and the stage done, you will start
dress rehearsals. Decide who you
are to invite to the play (parents, other classes etc.) and the date and
time. Make invitations.
7. Perform the plays!
8. Have each student complete the ÒPlay SummaryÓ
worksheets for each of the other plays that they were not in.
Cooking in the 1800Õs
Have a day of cooking recipes from the Pioneer days in the 1800Õs. Have the children come to school dressed as pioneers. You might want to have them bring some of the ingredients or you may supply them all yourself. Choose recipes from the following two books available for sale at the Early American Museum in Mahomet for only $3.95.
Cookie Recipes by Bear Wallow Books
Old Pioneer Recipes by
Bear Wallow Books