Unit 5: Historical Fiction Pre-Unit Assessment
4/20/15
*What have your experiences been with reading Historical Fiction texts in the past? Was it required
reading, or did you voluntarily read this genre? Why did you gravitate toward this genre, or stay away
from reading Historical Fiction?
*Do you anticipate enjoying the reading from the Historical Fiction Unit? Why or why not? What types
of time periods are you interested in reading about? Why are you interested in these time periods? Are
there any titles of specific books which you are interested in reading ?
*What are you reading goals heading into this unit? What improvements can you make in your Reader's
Notebook? HINT: REREAD YOUR READER'S NOTEBOOK REQUIREMENTS!
Good Readers…
Lesson #1 4/21/15
*Are able to actively participate in effective Book Club discussions
*Agree to keep up with the Reading Calendar to allow for quality discussions
*Remain on task at all times
*Use skills learned during this unit, as well as previous units, to guide discussions
*Make a MINIMUM of three Quick Jots per reading session
*One based on a new skill
*One based on a skill identified on your Conferring Menu
*One based on a previously learned skill
*REMEMBER TO WRITE LONG AFTER COMPLETING EACH BOOK
Good Readers…
Lesson #2 4/22/15
*Are mindful that authors of historical fiction include so much information about the time period
*Look for information about important characters
*Analyze their way of life during this time period
*Look at clothing, speech, and social roles
*Assess what their challenges are, or will possibly be using knowledge of history
*Recognize how "historical" words are used to help readers infer the setting
Good Readers…
Lesson #3 4/23/15
*Should be mindful of analyzing unfamiliar historical settings
*Pay attention to what certain places look like by recalling details written in the text
*Take note of physical details of locations
*Try to establish what the emotional atmosphere is like in the text
Good Readers…
Lesson #4 4/24/15
*Recognize that time is a complex element in historical fiction texts
*Acknowledge that the focus of the story is typically not the present time
*The story may go back to events that have already occurred earlier in the story
*The story may shift to an even that occurred before the story began
*Recognize these strategies may be used to clarify certain events
Good Readers…
Lesson #5 4/27/15
*Recognize that authors use the literary device of foreshadowing
*Analyze how foreshadowing hints at something happening in the future
*Pay attention to phrases about the future
*Analyze any changes in the weather, setting, or the mood
*Analyze if there are objects or scenic elements which suggest something happy, sad, dangerous, or
exciting
*Assess whether characters or the narrator make reference to something that may be a hint of things to
come
Good Readers…
Lesson #6 4/28/15
*Recognize that authors use the literary device of symbolism
*Assess how symbols signify something more than just itself
*Recognize that a symbol may represent something abstract, such as a concept or idea
*Recall how a symbol may be associated with a certain person or the setting
*Remember that a symbol may be a reoccurring person, place, or object
Good Readers…
Lesson #7 4/29/15
*Recognize that the setting may also be metaphorical
*Analyze how the setting may represent the culture of the time
*Recognize that it is a physical time and place
*Identify that it is also a physical representation of the world in which the character lives
Good Readers…
Lesson #10 5/4/15
*Recognize that what is happening now in the story is connected to other parts of the story
*Understand how the plot unfolds purposefully
*Piece together what is happening
*Recognize that each event builds on what has already happened
*Identify how plots unfold in a series of episodes
*Analyze how characters grow and change throughout episodes
*Notice how the plot moves towards a resolution
*Make predictions as the plot begins to build upon itself
Good Readers…
Lesson #11 5/5/15
*Form big ideas about the text by analyzing their character's experiences
*Adjust thinking and ideas based on newly received information
*Remain flexible in thinking during analysis and book club discussions
Good Readers…
Lesson #12 5/6/15
*Raise questions regarding why history unfolds in a particular manner
*Understand how historical events are told through the eyes of characters
*Recognize how characters bear witness to suffering or demonstrate courage
*Analyze what lessons can be taken from characters' experiences
Good Readers…
Lesson #13 5/7/15
*Are able to understand stories through the perspective of the main character
*Step into the shoes of the main character
*Recognize that it is harder to step into the shoes of the other characters
*Attempt to see through the perspectives of secondary characters
*Piece together what the story is about by considering all perspectives
Good Readers…
Lesson #14 5/8/15
*Recognize that the main character's perspective may be different from the reader's
*Acknowledge their perspective is shaped by his or her environment
*Suspend judgments and display empathy for characters
*Identify their own perspectives
*Separate the reader's perspective from the character's in order to fully understand the perspective of
the character
Unit 5: Historical Fiction April Assessment
5/18/15
*How many books have you read since the Historical Fiction unit began? How many pages have you
read? What are your reading goals for the remainder of the unit?
*What skills have you had difficulty with when reading and analyzing historical fiction? Which skills have
you found most helpful when analyzing the text and why? Have you conducted nonfiction research
regarding the topics discussed in your Historical Fiction books? How has this helped?
*Have you enjoyed reading Historical Fiction? What has been your favorite book and why?
Good Readers…
Lesson #15 5/18/15
*Are able to analyze the role of power in stories to find deeper meaning
*Identify who has the power
*Recognize that power may not always be weapons
*Acknowledge that power may be community, integrity, and collective courage
*Note that the fear of bystanders often keeps power structures in place (minor, flat static characters
who keep the powerful character powerful)
*Assess who has the power, how that power is visible, what forms the power takes, and how might the
power shift throughout the text
Good Readers…
Lesson #16 5/19/15
*Look to improve the understanding of texts by reading more nonfiction
*Conduct research regarding the historical time period or event
*Work in groups to research and create statistics, fact sheets, pictures
*Recognize that in knowing the truth of the events, readers will generate comprehension and empathy
Good Readers…
Lesson #17 5/20/15
*Compare books with similar themes to study how characters respond to challenges
*Analyze choices characters make during defining moments
*Assess which theme is present in both stories
*Determine how the authors approached the topic differently
*Analyze how each of the characters react differently to conflict
*Assess the message the author is trying to convey through these reactions
Good Readers…
Lesson #18 5/26/15
*Think about people, places, events, and also ideas
*Recognize that having a thought about an idea in one story sometimes leads to finding ideas in other
stories
*Analyze the themes which are present in a text
*Compare and contrast common themes and ideas across literary texts