Historical fiction: Using literature to learn about the Civil War

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Social Studies (2003)

Grade 5

• Goal 1: The learner will apply key geographic concepts to the United States and other countries of North America.
  • Objective 1.07: Analyze the past movement of people, goods, and ideas within and among the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America and compare it to movement today.
• Goal 3: The learner will examine the roles various ethnic groups have played in the development of the United States and its neighboring countries.
  • Objective 3.01: Locate and describe people of diverse ethnic and religious cultures, past and present, in the United States.
  • Objective 3.02: Examine how changes in the movement of people, goods, and ideas have affected ways of living in the United States.
  • Objective 3.03: Identify examples of cultural interaction within and among the regions of the United States.
  • Objective 3.04: Hypothesize how the differences and similarities among people have produced diverse American cultures.
  • Objective 3.05: Describe the religious and ethnic impact of settlement on different regions of the United States.
• Goal 4: The learner will trace key developments in United States history and describe their impact on the land and people of the nation and its neighboring countries.
  • Objective 4.01: Define the role of an historian and explain the importance of studying history.
  • Objective 4.02: Explain when, where, why, and how groups of people settled in different regions of the United States.
  • Objective 4.06: Evaluate the effectiveness of civil rights and social movements throughout United States history that reflect the struggle for equality and constitutional rights for all citizens.
  • Objective 4.08: Trace the development of the United States as a world leader and analyze the impact of its relationships with Canada, Mexico, and selected countries of Central America.

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 5

• Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
  • Objective 1.03: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
    • wide reading.
    • word study.
    • word reference materials.
    • content area study.
    • writing process elements.
    • writing as a tool.
    • debate.
    • discussions.
    • seminars.
    • examining the author's craft.
  • Objective 1.05: Read independently daily from self-selected materials (consistent with the student's independent reading level) to:
    • increase fluency.
    • build background knowledge.
    • expand and refine vocabulary.
• Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.01: Use metacognitive strategies independently and flexibly to monitor comprehension and extend vocabulary (e.g., skim, scan, question).
  • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, and viewing by:
    • making predictions.
    • formulating questions.
    • supporting answers from textual information, previous experience, and/or other sources.
    • drawing on personal, literary, and cultural understandings.
    • seeking additional information.
    • making connections with previous experiences, information, and ideas.
  • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, such as:
    • fiction (tall tales, myths).
    • nonfiction (books of true experience, newspaper and magazine articles, schedules).
    • poetry (narrative, lyric, and cinquains).
    • drama (plays and skits).
  • Objective 2.04: Identify elements of fiction and nonfiction and support by referencing the text to determine the:
    • plot development.
    • author's choice of words.
    • effectiveness of figurative language (e.g., personification, flashback).
    • tone.
  • Objective 2.05: Evaluate inferences, conclusions, and generalizations and provide evidence by referencing the text(s).
  • Objective 2.06: Analyze choice of reading materials congruent with purposes (e.g., reading for information, reading to extend content area learning, reading for pleasure, entertainment).
  • Objective 2.07: Evaluate the usefulness and quality of information and ideas based on purpose, experiences, text(s), and graphics.
  • Objective 2.08: Explain and evaluate relationships that are:
    • causal.
    • hierarchical.
    • temporal.
    • problem-solution.
  • Objective 2.09: Listen actively and critically by:
    • asking questions.
    • delving deeper into the topic.
    • elaborating on the information and ideas presented.
    • evaluating information and ideas.
    • making inferences and drawing conclusions.
    • making judgments.
  • Objective 2.10: Identify strategies used by a speaker or writer to inform, entertain, or influence an audience.
• Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
  • Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
    • analyzing word choice and content.
    • examining reasons for a character's actions, taking into account the situation and basic motivation of the character.
    • creating and presenting a product that effectively demonstrates a personal response to a selection or experience.
    • examining alternative perspectives.
    • evaluating the differences among genres.
    • examining relationships among characters.
    • making and evaluating inferences and conclusions about characters, events and themes.
  • Objective 3.02: Make connections between texts by recognizing similarities and differences based on a common lesson, theme, or message.
  • Objective 3.03: Justify evaluation of characters and events from different selections by citing supporting evidence in the text(s).
  • Objective 3.05: Integrate main idea and supporting details from multiple sources to expand understanding of texts.
  • Objective 3.06: Conduct research (with assistance) from a variety of sources for assigned or self-selected projects (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, computer networks).
• Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
  • Objective 4.02: Use oral and written language to:
    • formulate hypotheses.
    • evaluate information and ideas.
    • present and support arguments.
    • influence the thinking of others.
• Goal 5: The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.
  • Objective 5.08: Create readable documents through legible handwriting and word processing.