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Historical Fiction:
Books that are considered historical fiction are those in which settings and scenes are set in the past, that may have non-fictional characters but the story itself is fictional. Historical fiction books must have
1.) A creadible plot
2.) Historical authenticity
3.) Realistic setting
4.) Themes used within book fits with setting and plot
5.) The language used must fit with the time period
6.) Connects reader with the past
The genre of historical fiction came along as a result of the Romantic Movement in the 19th century. This genre became popular pre- WWI and its popularity declined post- WWI. One of the pioneers of historical fiction was James Fenimore Cooper, who wrote The Last of the Mohicans. I have not read the book but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the movie. Although it was a film I experienced, I felt as if I was in it, experiencing what the characters experienced; it is just the same when getting into a historical book. When you submerge yourself into an event that actually happened, you can relate to it and empathize with the characters. This genre gives insight to the readers as they take a look into the past.

I will enjoy introducing Historical Fiction to my students. I had an activity in mind…
I would chose a book that they class would assign to read, give them background information about the book and its time period, then I would have them research that specific time period. Each student would have to attain knowledge of the time so the book would already seem familiar to them, as they read. As students read, I would have them either concoct a character or use themselves to interject within the story; keeping the language, storyline and time period with that of the book. I would have them keep of log of the events and what their character did throughout the story. At the conclusion of the book, I would have each student create a summarized version of the book including their character, and present it to the class. I would have them answer questions such as: “Did your character play an important part in the history of the book?” “How much of an importance did he/she have to the book?” “If your character could have changed history, what would he/she do?” “Although history is in the past, can you at your current state be a history maker? If yes what could you do?”
I think by allowing the students to become involved in the historical fiction genre, they can relate to tragedy and heartache, joy and happiness, and learning from past mistakes in order to make a difference in the world. Maybe one day a historical fiction book will be written concerning them one day.

Blog 8

My super sentence definition of contemporary realistic fiction is... "a genre that is comprised of a plot, characters, and a setting that is realistic but the storyline remains fictional; the super natural and unimaginable does not exit in contemporary realistic fiction."

Contemporary realistic fiction books were commonly used in my middle schoool through high school classes. I can vagely remember some activities we completed concerning this genre. In my classroom I would have my students identify with a character in a class-read book and make a diary, placing themelves in the character's position. I would have them consider questions such as:

How do you think the character feels?
What emotions would the character bear"
What could be affecting them internally?

After considering these questions I would encourage them to "become" the chracter and write in their diaries for every chapter in the book. This is an activity will assist them in identifying with a specific character, so that they could involve themselves in the book and emerge into the situation. Not only will they gain a better understanding of the book, but it would teach them how to deal with situations they have never encountered, in which they might encouter in the future.

Introducing contemporary realistic fiction to a classroom is important because children are enlightened to another world that may seem foriegn to them...the world of realism (whether it be pleasant or saddening).

Poem Blog

MICE- MICE- MICE

For those small, creepy furry mice- I do not care
they are all rude, and inconciderate
When they climb up my chair
Especially when I'm eating
A bowl of rice
Oh, I just despise those dirty, rotten mice
I dreamt last night
of having mice as pets
they escaped their home
and i tried to catch them with nets
As I awoke in a fright
I looked on my hand
And there I saw the furry (not my) friend
It was a mouse, nuzzled close to my finger
And I stared at it as it just lingered
It did not scurry, it did not bite
Having it close to me actually felt right
It was then that I realized I was no longer afraid
I had to quickly clean the areas I sprayed with raid
I found a friend in a furry little creature
That's why I'm writing this poem to my teacher


And then I realized I had found a new furry friend