Kaitlin Flatley

Fourth Grade Henry Barnard School

11:15-12 pm March 25, 2015
Historical Fiction Introductory Lesson
Ms. Karen Bucci, classroom teacher
Mrs. Nancy Murphy, supervisor

HISTORICAL FICTION
Goals
-

Students will understand what historical fiction is and the difference between
historical fiction and other literary genres.

Objectives
-

Students will develop a basic understanding of historical fiction as a

concept.
Students will summarize characteristics of historical fiction in a KWL chart.

Required Materials
-

Theme handout
KWL chart
Markers
Characteristics of Historical Fiction handout

Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.3

Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific

details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
What is Going on in the Classroom:

Students are wrapping up a discussion on Sadako and the Thousand Paper

Cranes. They have already read and answered discussion questions on all
chapters of the book. Last class the students wrote down themes from the
book on chart paper and put a tally mark next to what point of view they
believed the story was told from. The point of view was discussed in depth,
as there was quite a debate about whether it was third person limited or third
person omniscient. The themes have not been shared yet and will be shared
briefly in this lesson before introducing the students to historical fiction.

Anticipatory Set:
-

Students are seated at their desks with the book Sadako in front of them. The
chart paper with the student-generated themes is hanging at the front of the
room.
Students will be invited to share the themes they wrote down on the chart
paper. The themes will be briefly discussed and students will use the
attached graphic organizer to write down the main themes of Sadako as they
are discussed.
Papers will be put into their reading folders and put away.

Direct Instruction:
-

The lesson on Historical Fiction will begin. Ask: What genre of literature do
you think Sadako was? Why do you think this?
Sadako is historical fiction. Have you heard of this genre before? What do
you think it means?
Write down students ideas on a piece of chart paper in a KWL chart.
Read over the list and have students explain their thoughts if they are not
clear.
Ask: What do you wonder about historical fiction? Do you have any
questions about it? Write this under the W section.

Presentation of Information:
-

Pass out Characteristics of Historical Fiction handout.

Go over what historical fiction actually is and have the students jot down
notes on the hand out as we discuss it.
o Historical Fiction is:
A form of fiction (which means it is NOT true)
Based on historical events
Authentic Setting
Setting is the most important literary element
Setting must be accurate and authentic (talk about what
authentic means)
How people lived, what they ate, what kind of clothes
they wore, etc.
Artistic mix of fiction and historical fact
Authors work hard to make their story believable, even
though its fictional
Events may be documented historical events or imagined
events.
Characters portrayed in a realistic manner
Characters may be actual people from history, but the
story is fictional.

Students add to the Knowledge Category on the KWL chart on Historical

fiction what they learned from the direct instruction.
When adding to the chart, they should not repeat information already there.

Discussion
-

What makes Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes historical fiction?
What era is it set in? What kind of things are different today compared to how
they were in the 1950s?
What about the characters; is Sadako a real person? Was any part of her
story made up by the author? What about the other characters, the plot and
the events?
Take questions from students and formal lesson.

Assessment
-

Written Response: Students write why Sadako is an example of historical

fiction and give examples from the text.
This is a form of assessment.
Students turn it into the Daily Work bin when complete.

Closure/Extension
-

Students return to desks, put away all items and sit quietly until they are
dismissed to lunch.

Name: ____________________________________

CHARACTERISTICS OF HISTORICAL FICTION

1. ________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Name: _________________________________________________ Date:

__________________

THEME
The Central Message
What the author wants you to learn or know
A broad idea about life.
Usually not stated. It must be inferred.

Themes from Sadako and the Thousand Paper

Cranes:

__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
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