John, Paul, George & Benby Lane Smith

Reading Level: 3.5Smith, L. (2006). John, Paul, George & Ben. New York, NY: Hyperion.

This is a historical fiction picture book which includes short fictional anecdotes about John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. Using it as an introduction to the concept of historical fiction, the students will begin to understand

the overlapping of fictional accounts with nonfictional, historically correct facts.

Historical Fiction Preziby Carmelle LaMothe

Reading Level: 5thLaMothe, C. (2011, July 11). Historical Fiction and Common Core Standards. Retrieved from

http://prezi.com/glsdsbm__tj8/historical-fiction-and-common-core-standards/This presentation offers descriptions about the genre of historical fiction and gives the viewer

various forms of media to help solidify understanding. She uses videos from the Internet, suggestions for books to read, and connections with the curriculum standards of her state. While

these connections are not with the Virginia SOL, the standards she outlines are very similar to those I have used for my objectives for this Unit. Allowing the students to peruse through this

presentation would help them gain a better understanding of what they will be learning throughout the Unit, and it will allow them to explore through various types of media.

Historical Fiction Graphic Organizerby Christi Fultz

Reading Level: 3-5th GradeFultz, C. (2012, March 27). Hunting for Historical Fiction Facts. Retrieved from

http://www.msfultz.com/historical_tchart.pdfThis graphic organizer would be used by the student during reading of an historical fiction story by using

what they have read to then describe how that helps them infer that the author is writing about the past. In my instruction, I would use this while having the students read historical fiction on their own. They would be better able to write down their thoughts about how the story lends itself to the historical fiction genre.

Declaration of Independence Onlineby USHistory.org

Reading Level: 4-5th GradeU.S. History.org. (2012). The Declaration of Independence. Retrieved from

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/This website displays every detail of the Declaration of Independence. It offers visitors of the site the exact verbiage of the document for them to read. It also provides a scan of the original copy of

the document. The site goes on to offer names of signers, information that is related to the Declaration of Independence, and many other methods to help viewers gain more insight. In my

own instruction, I would use this to help the students explore the effects of the American Revolution. They would use this information to help them create their short stories.

Causes of the Revolutionary Warby David White

Reading Level: 3-5th GradeWhite, D. Causes of the Revolutionary War. Retrieved from

http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/articles/ushistory/causesrevwar.htmThis websites provides viewers with a brief, bullet-pointed synopsis of the reasons why the colonists revolted against the British. As the author uses key terms, he hyperlinks the text

to enable the viewer to click on it which then brings them to another page that explains the term. Using this in my instructional plan would include having the students explore the page and its links to help them understand the background of the American Revolution.

The Fighting Groundby Avi

Reading Level: 3-5th GradeAvi. (1988). The Fighting Ground. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

This book is about a boy who fights in the American Revolution while at the same time dealing with his own troubles. I would use this as a read aloud book to read to my

students throughout the duration of this Unit. This will give them a better look into a larger piece of historical fiction that uses an imaginary main character. I would most

likely not have any assignments derived from the reading, but I would read for the students’ enjoyment.

George vs. George, the American Revolution As Seen from Both Sidesby Rosalyn Schanzer

Reading Level: 5-8th GradeSchanzer, R. (2007). George vs. George, the American Revolution As Seen from

Both Sides. Des Moines, IA: National Geographic Children’s Books.This book is a nonfictional representation of what life was like during the

Revolutionary time period. The author presents ideas from both ways of thinking (Patriot v. Loyalist) about what actually happened during the War. It is similar in

style to a comic book which is effective in getting students’ attention. I would offer this book to my students as a way of obtaining more background information on

the American Revolution.

American Revolution: Battles and Leadersby DK Publishing

Reading Level: 3-5th Grade(2007). American Revolution: Battles and Leaders. New York, NY: DK

Children Publishing.This book is a nonfiction, informational text that includes many of the

various historical figures about whom the students will be writing. This would be a book I could include in my classroom library for the students to refer to when researching about their historical figure. The genre will

also help the students become more familiar with nonfiction texts.

Revolutionary Newspaper Articlesby PBS

Reading Level: 5th Grade

PBS.org. Chronicles of the Revolution. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/ktca/liberty/chronicle.html

This site gives viewers six different articles about topics that occurred during the American Revolution. These articles are from actual newspapers

printed in during the late 1700’s. Using these articles during instruction would help the students gain even more insight into the thoughts and

opinions of people living during this time.

“I Hear America Singing”by Walt Whitman

Reading Level: 5th GradeWhitman, W. (1860). Leaves of Grass. Boston: Thayer and Eldridge.

This poem describes how Whitman views the new-found American freedom from the British. Using this poem in my class to display yet another genre of

text will also give them an opportunity to visualize the time period. It will help them to gain more background knowledge on the thoughts of people during the

American Revolution.

I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear, Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong, The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam, The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work, The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,The wood-cutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown, The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing, Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else, The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly, Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.

• This is a variety of materials I could use to enhance my students' learning of the Historical Fiction genre, specifically relating to their research on the American Revolution era.