Using Literature to Teach U. S. History

Using Literature to Teach U. S. History combines literature and social studies content, and requires students to use higher-level thinking skills to examine fictional characters in real historical context. Each of the eleven sections of this unit features one trade book that concentrates on a specific time period in American history and serves as a study guide. Each study guide includes the following items:

• A bibliographical entry
• Geographic, political, economic, and social objectives that provide an overview of the major historical topics of the time period
• A summary of the trade book
• An introduction designed to entice students to learn about the subject
• Lessons that provide reading assignments, discussion questions, journal topics, and related topics to use as students progress through the trade book
• A conclusion that ties up or summarizes the trade book
• A follow-up section that offers additional activities
• A bibliography of both print and non-print resources

This unit is an excellent addition for social studies teachers who desire to enhance their content with literature or for those teachers who teach both social studies and language arts to the same students. Note that the unit does not include the actual children's literature books.

About the Series:

Social Studies curriculum units contain complete lesson plans with preliminary and follow-up work, teacher notes with background and rationale, ready-to-use worksheets, and suggested answers for student questions. These materials encourage the development of thinking, reading, speaking, research, and writing skills as well as critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.