My students need historical fiction novels to pair with our World War II Unit. Based on these novels students will discuss the question "What is worth fighting for?"
Our school is a very diverse school in Alexandria, Virginia. Our student population represents all corners of the globe. In addition to being very diverse culturally, we also serve students from all different economic backgrounds. We truly are a melting pot of many different types of students.
During the school year, we do a number of reading projects that align with the topics we're learning about.
Students begin the year by reading mostly non-fiction as they learn how to become historians and analyze historical topics. As students grow in their understanding of historical events, historical-fiction novels are added to the mix to help the students experience history in an entirely different way. So far this year students have completed a book project around World War I, where they were able to connect with the characters and deepen their understanding of the impact of the war on everyday people. This project aims to extend this project by adding in World War II novels that will capture the students' attention and transform our content into a whole new world.
My Project
During our study of World War II, students travel across the globe as we evaluate the impact of the war from a multitude of perspectives, including on the homefront, the European theatre, the Pacific theatre, and on the lives of everyday citizens. This project empowers students of all academic levels as they explore and become experts on one particular facet of the war. Students select their own novel, they pair their novel with research conducted from that perspective and then engage in literary and academic discussions based on their novels. This project allows students to make connections across the disciplines and also enables the students to empathize with the many different groups impacted by this particular global struggle.
Pairing literature with our historical units of study helps the students travel to a different time and place.
By reading a novel that aligns with historical content students are able to envision the time, the place, and the events we are studying, thus bringing to the past to life. Through participation in this project, students will be able to explore a myriad of different worlds all surviving through the same event together and yet simultaneously alone.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Feiler and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.