Author: Hannah Hobbs
Topic: Contrasting Fictional and Nonfictional Portrayals of Historical Characters
Grade Level: Seventh
Standard:
Topic: Contrasting Fictional and Nonfictional Portrayals of Historical Characters
Grade Level: Seventh
Standard:
Compare
and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a
historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors
of fiction use or alter history.
Objectives:
The seventh grade student will compare fictional and
nonfictional portrayals of a historical character through a partner exercise and
a written assessment.
The seventh grade student will identify fictional
elements of a portrayal of a character in a journal entry to 90% accuracy.
Materials:
-The World of
Captain John Smith by Genevieve Foster
-Young
Pocahontas: Indian Princess by Anne Benjamin
-Pocahontas:
Coloring Book by Brian Doherty
-Students' Journals
-Scavenger Hunt Worksheets (2 Per Student)
1.
Anticipatory Set: (2 Minutes)
Think of a time when something happened to you that
was interesting. Now think of an uninteresting time. What’s the difference?
Share with your partner.
Share with the class what you said.
2.
Introduction: (5 Minutes)
Today, we’re going to talk about portrayals of
historical characters in fictional and nonfictional texts. But first, let’s
define our terms.
PORTRAYAL: a depiction of someone or something in a work of art or literature.
- What do we mean by historical figures or characters?
Historical figures can be portrayed in different
ways to make them appear more interesting to us.
- What are some examples?
- How are these examples portrayed differently in fictional texts about them than they are in historical texts?
- What is the difference between fictional and historical?
3. Guided Practice (8 Minutes)
We are going to practice contrasting historical and
fictional portrayals of historical characters by looking at Pocahontas.
[Three stations (pictures, nonfiction texts [6
copies], and picture book) are set up around the classroom.]
With your partner, fill out this scavenger hunt
sheet about Pocahontas. Go to each station and see if you can find information
about each category on the sheet. Then draw a picture or write a few key words
to show the information you learn. You have three minutes to do this.
(Three Minute Countdown Video)
As a class, watch the Pocahontas trailer.
As a class, let’s fill out the same scavenger hunt
sheet you filled out earlier with just the information in the video (or as best
you can guess) now watching this fictional portrayal of Pocahontas.
4.
Independent (1 Minute)
Look at both of the sheets you have filled out and
mark (by circling or underlining) any information that seems to be different.
- Why might the information be different from the fictional and nonfictional sources?
5.
Wrap Up (1 Minute)
Whip Around Review (Have instructions on the board
and give them verbally)
1. You will stand back to back with your partner.
2. I will give you a statement from today’s lesson. When
I say turn around, you will…
3. If it is TRUE, turn around and make a T with your
arms, placing one arm across the other.
4. If it is FALSE, turn around and make an X with
your arms, crossing your arms across each other.
Statements to give:
- A portrayal is a depiction of someone or something in a work of art or literature.
- Pocahontas really fell in love with Captain John Smith.
- Historical figures can be portrayed in different ways to make them more interesting to us.
- Pocahontas was an Indian princess.
6.
Assessment (2 Minutes)
List the fictional elements of the story of
Pocahontas in a journal entry on a piece of paper or draw a picture of the two
fictional and the historical portrayal that shows the differences between the
two portrayals.
Thank you for your time and attention! Good work
today.
