Welcome to a wondrous journey . . .

Historical Fiction

Form of fiction

Based on historical events

Authentic settingsCharacters portrayed in

realistic manner

Some characters may be actual people

from history, but the story is fictional

Artistic mix of fiction and

historical fact

Historical Fiction Mentor Texts

Mentor text table

Elements ofHistorical Fiction• form of fiction (not true)• based on historical events• authentic settings• characters portrayed in

realistic manner• some characters may be actual people from history, but the story is fictional• artistic mix of fiction and

historical fact

Directions for Reading and Responding to Historical Fiction

Step 1. Silently read the first chapter, several pages, or entire book. Begin your own “Think Aloud” and questioning of the text using sticky notes as you read.

Step 2. When your group members have all completed Step 1 above, turn and talk about your responses.

Step 3. Complete the Reading and Responding to Historical Fiction worksheet and/or the Historical Fiction Bookmark, as a group.

Step 4. Complete a story board to present to the class.

Include the following: • Title of book

• Author

• Main characters

• Setting

• Problem

Warm-up ActivityChoose one of the pictures. Write about this

picture as if you were standing there, inside the photo, using vivid adjectives. Describe things such as temperatureand weather, wildlife, sounds, and dangers that might be present.

Character Profile Questions

Brainstorm answers to each question with a brief response.Number your answers.

1. Is your character a girl/boy? - How old are they? (10-12

yrs)

 2. Body Type?   - Tall, short, sturdy, puny, thin?

3. What type of hair?   -Long? Straight? Curly? -Color? -Style? Ponytails? Braids? Wild?

4. What about your character’s facial features?   - Cheerful, scowling?  - Eyebrows?  -arched, bushy?  - Eyes? - large, small?  - Lashes? - thick, thin, long?   - Freckles?   - Skin? - light, dark?

 5.   What striking features does he/she have?  -scars, tattoos?

6. Describe your character’s voice. Is it whiny, high or low pitched? What kind of accent does he/she have?

   

7. What type of clothing does your character typically wear?

(Think about the time period)

8. What is daily life like for your character? Work? School? Hobbies?

9. What about his/her habits? Personal habits? Work habits?

10.Describe your character’s personality flaw.

- What is something that gets in the way for him/her? What is something about your character that bothers people? -Pride? Temper? Forgetfulness? Pushy? Loud? Too timid? Too curious?

11.What has ever gotten him/her into trouble?

12. Is there anything that upsets your character? What is it?

13.What do others think about your character?

14. What good traits does he/she have?

15. Does your character have friends?

- What do they like to do?

16. What kind of person is your character? Kind? Mean? Grumpy?

Determined?

17. Who is in your character’s family?

- Lives with parents?  One or both?

- Siblings?   Older, younger?

- Grandparents?

- Pets?

18.  Where does your character live?  - House, hut, tent, cottage? - Village, farm, woods?    19. I imagine my character looking like this in my story.  (You may draw a picture on your paper below).

20.  Think of three questions (not included above) to ask classmates about their characters.

21.  This is a possible story problem I may use . . .

22. Think of a good name for your character.

Next Steps:

Teacher/students will review the 6-Traits of Writing rubric specifically the historical fiction genre requirements and will work though similar lessons involving setting, story problem, solution/goal, dialogue, map and timeline.

Historical fiction stories will use the characteristics listed below as a guideline for writing:

• Narrative Structure• Historical setting (100 year time frame)• Main character is a girl/boy ages 10-12• Problem/solution that main character faces,

events based on that time period• Events accurate for that historical time• Map of historical area• Use of “Thinking Maps” for organization

Historical Fiction Genre Rubric (3) Developing• Introduction “sets the stage” through a scenario (including setting, problem and goal) • Includes a detailed map for location

and a timeline for the historical period• Mix of historical and realistic fictional

characters (one has to be a 10-12 year old boy/girl) with some details and dialogue

• Events are historically accurate• Resolution is historically accurate and

believable

(5) Strong• Introduction “sets the stage”

through a scenario (including setting, conflict, problem and goal)

• Includes a detailed map for location and an expanded timeline for the historical period

• Mix of historical and realistic fictional characters including time specific character details (clothing, food, housing, daily life, transportation) and believable dialogue

• Historically accurate events include details that expand understanding

• Resolution is historically accurate, believable, and includes many details

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by Mrs. Larkins