Telecommunications Activities

Teaching Students about the Genre:

Historical Fiction

Historical Fiction

Relevant Background Info.:

This genre of literature refers to any work which is set within the bounds of a specific, and real, time period, but whose characters and narrative are made-up.

The term “period piece” is often applied to books and movies that fit this genre. It’s not a perfect synonym, but it is mostly accurate. click for a more detailed analysis, if you’re curious.

Overall Focus

Students will learn to:

• better understand the author/creation

relationship and create a product of their own

which mimics this relationship

• better understand a specific historical time

period and the human impact of historical

events

Activity 1

Keep the Lights Burning Abbie

by Peter and Connie Roop

For: Elementary School

grades 2-3

Telecommunications Activity:

A list of bookmarks from

symbaloo.com

Relationship to the Unit

• The lesson will begin with the teacher reading aloud Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie.

• Book Summary: In the winter of 1856, a storm delays the lighthouse keeper’s return to an island off the coast of Maine, and his daughter Abbie must keep the lights burning by herself in this story based on real life.

• The teacher will lead a discussion about the book.

• Possible activities can be found in the teaching guide.

Specific Student Goals

• Students will listen to and/or read and discuss a

story related to a historical event.

• Students will visits various bookmarked sites

located at symbaloo.com.

• Students will email the author of the story.

• Students will post personal responses onto a

classroom blog.

Possible Problems

Problem

• Inappropriate reading

levels

• Lack of student focus

Solution

• Students work as

partners

• Classroom

Management

Activity 2

All Quiet on the Western Front

by Erich Maria Remarque

For: High School grade 10

Telecommunications Activity:

War Propaganda Broadcast

Relationship to the Unit

Creation of a propaganda broadcast is designed to:

• Emphasize reality vs. perception

• Highlight broadcast media’s role in the

perception of warfare

• Initiate discussion of relevancy to modern wars

• Allow students to better visualize some of the

scenes in the novel.

Specific Student Goals

Students will create a brief (<5 min.) propaganda film that attempts to glorify and elevate warfare. They will be encouraged to focus on a recruitment film since it would closely mirror themes in the novel.

The film project will include:

• script

• storyboard

• shooting

• sound recording

• editing

• presentation (broadcast to several classes or the school, if time and administration allow it)

Students will work in groups of no more than 4.

Possible Problems

Problem

• Student Interest

• Access to Technology

• Lack of Focus

• Time

• Effort

Solution

• Creativity

• Planning

• Classroom

Management

• Clear Goals

• Competition