Experience History in Historical Fiction

Using primary sources
with historical fiction develops empathetic readers, clarifies historic references, builds understanding,
and enhances the
overall learning experience in the classroom.

Presented by Jo Shurer

INSPIRED BY PEERS, PRIMARY SOURCES
AND POSSIBILITIES

Witnessing others apply creative applications of primary source materials in the classroom, across multiple subject areas, with cross-curricular opportunities, I was inspired to explore the connection of historical fiction and primary sources for my students.

Adding primary source resources that complement my students' independent reading selections incorporates major areas of study for my students: research, history and genre study. By strengthening this connection, students will develop creative thinking skills, deepen their connection to the historical fiction text, the period of history that is represented and the personal experiences of those who lived in that period all while developing valuable primary source research skills.

Please join me on my journey.

A Primer on Primary Sources

• Primary, secondary and tertiary sources
• Applications across the curriculum
• Builds critical thinking skills
• Engages students with diverse learning styles
• Digital access: Primary sources at your fingertips
• Become part of a collaborative network sharing primary source resources

PRIMARY SOURCES:
First hand accounts of an event based on participation or observation

SECONDARY SOURCES:
Primary sources already analyzed, reviewed, or summarized by others

TERTIARY SOURCES:
Overviews of information gathered from other sources
presented in a convenient form

(VT Libraries, 2011)

PRIMARY SOURCE PRACTICEs & outcomes

• Questioning provokes critical thinking
• Questioning sparks cognitive and emotive empathy
• Historical contextualization facilitates drawing conclusions and creating original products
• Analysis of primary sources is a springboard for deeper understanding of the historical context within historical fiction texts(Stripling, 2011)

With primary sources, students experience a walk in their shoes responding to history with an empathetic point-of-view.

The strategic use of primary
sources within a unit deepens the level of conversation
and connects students to the human side of history (Stripling, 2011).

Primary sources are more likely than secondary sources to support critical thinking and conceptual understanding (Strickland, 2011).

Interactive methodologies using primary sources in the classroom leads to student engagement, making connections from one class to another and between texts (Strickland, 2011).

Oh, the Opportunities with Primary Sources

Primary Sources

Photos

Documents and data

Maps, Prints and Drawings

Audio and video

Speeches: Manuscripts and audio

Personal narratives

Sheet Music

Ready Resources

Open-Access Digital Databases for Historical Fiction Selections:

• National Council for the Social Studies’ (NCSS) Notable Books lists

• OurStory - a project of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History

• The Reading and Writing Project at Teacher’s College

• PBS Reading List


(Martin, 2012)
Reference Article:
http://teachinghistory.org/teaching-materials/ask-a-master-teacher/25626

Library of Congress

Other ready resources

• www.docsteach.org
• www.historycentral. com/
• dp.la (Digital Public Library of America)
• www.ala.org
• www.powerlibrary.org/

Shared Resources: DIIGO

email
jshurer@elsd.org to join
Diigo Collaborative Resource Community

Primary Sources PLS5020

References

Photo Credits

• Primary Source Examples: www.loc.gov
• Historical Fiction Examples: www.scholastic.com
• Creative Commons Sharing: www.haikudeck.com
• "A date which will live in infamy" McGraw-Hill Education PreK-12: www.youtube.com

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