Hello! I am moving up to 5th grade next year! I have taught 2nd and 1st for several years, but never higher than that before. In our school we switch classes for all the subjects in 5th grade so I will be teaching only SS (American history) and Science (Phys. Sci). I'd like to find a few novels that would fit the subjects to read to the class if I can squeeze it in. Any suggestions? I know I will be back for LOTS more advice, but I'd like to add some of your ideas to my summer reading list! Thanks!!
Here are some that my third through fifth graders liked last year: The Watsons go to Birmingham-set in the 1960s, Civil Rights Gentle Annie-story of a Civil War Nurse Hatchet is a really good one, but I'm not sure where you would tie it in The United Tates of America (I believe this is a book about geography and regions of the US, but I could be wrong)
Fighting Ground by Avi-Revolutionary War Journey Home-orphan trains Gratefully Yours-also orphan trains Treasures in the Dust-Great Depression Bull Run-First Battle of Bull Run There are lots of novels set during the wars as these are pretty popular with kids. The Dear America series (and My Name is America) is pretty good too, but if you are looking for a class set these will get pricey. Use them as read-alouds for the class. The books are historical fiction written like diaries or journals. They are set in various times and "written" by many different characters of various backgrounds and different points of view.
My Brother Sam is Dead - American Revolution Moon Bridge/Farewell to Manzanar - Japanese internment during WWII
My kids absolutely loved: Andrew Lost series for Science -If you go to the publisher's web site, there is a literature unit for the series. Behind Rebel Lines by Seymour Reit- Civil War - This one is a true story of Emma Edmunds who dresses up as several characters and makes amazing accomplishments in the Civil War. There is a literature unit to go with this one, too. Number The Stars - WWII, German occupation, helping the Jews
Dear Levi, Tales From the Overland Trail Morning Girl Sign of the Beaver Winter of the Red Snow (Dear America series)
If you can give us a specific topic that you want your novels to cover, I think we can help you a lot better.
Back when I taught 5th grade history, I used some small books that all had the same title. It was something like "If you lived back when..." and the books were all different...some were "if you lived during the American Revolution" or "If you lived during colonial times", etc, etc. They were very educational.
Pamms, congratulations on moving to 5th grade! You are going to find it a great level to teach, and there are so many great historical novels for this age level! As mentioned, the Dear America and My Name is America series books are amazing. There is one or more to fit nearly aspect of our nation's story. I got most of my copies from E-bay for a really reasonable cost. I always use A Journey to the New World when we study the Pilgrims and Winter of the Red Snow,which is the story of Valley Forge. Exploration: Scholastic has a book about Roanoke: The Mystery of the Lost Colony. The kids are facinated by the mystery surrounding The Lost Colony. Pedro's Journal-story of Columbus coming to America told through the eyes of a young cabin boy who sees the event from the perspective of the Native Americans. Great for point of view and figurative language, too. Sign of the Beaver takes place in Maine between the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War time period. George Washington's Socks-story of a group of children transported back to Washington's Crossing of the Delaware and the Battle of Trenton. Civil War: Across Five Aprils, Abraham's Battle, A Novel of Gettysburg Dirty '30's and Racism: Out of the Dust, Bud, Not Buddy, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry WWII: Sadako (aftermath of Hiroshima); Hiroshima; Number the Stars, Twenty and Ten, Yellow Star, and Boy Who Dared (Hitler-Holocaust) Electoral Process: Kid Who Ran for President Too, there are lots of great biographies to choose from.
I have been using Silverbrook (by Karen Petersen) for the last three years in my fifth grade classes. It's a fabulous and accurate historical fiction book about a 14-year-old German boy whose family immigrates to Texas. It even has ten questions for each chapter with answers listed on pages that I actually tear out of student books. Better yet, there are 20 Questions at end for "Better Understanding"- they also have answers!
I love 40 Acres and Maybe a Mule for Reconstruction, the Breadwinner for the Great Depression, Number the Stars for WWII, and Hiroshima by Lawrence Yep for WWII.
Turn Homeward Hannahlee-Civil War A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt-Great Depression Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry/ Let the Circle Be Unbroken-Great Depression Number the Stars/ The Devil's Arithmetic- WWII
We have 3 Core Literature titles in our District and my Science-teaching partner and I are incorporating them into our time slots since Math and Reading need all the time they have (besides, both of us LOVE to read to our kids!!). So, I'll be reading Indian in the Cupboard in connection with the French & Indian War, and Ben & Me when we cover the Revolution. Next door, she'll be reading The Cay (extended lit., but we love it) in connection to our Weather unit and My Side of the Mountain to be *loosely* tied to plant & animal systems. Chele
