BASEBALL SAVED US

by Ken Mochiszuiki

This lesson serves as a short introduction of the historical fiction genre.  The lesson can be expanded if you want it to be more than an introduction.

LESSON PLAN:

Overview: In this lesson, students will become familiar with the characteristics of historical fiction.  They will record information as they listen to the picture book Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki.  Then they will categorize the information as to whether it is fiction or historical fact.

Procedure:

1. Show the students the transparency of Elements of Historical Fiction and discuss each element.  Ask the students to share the titles of historical fiction they have read.
   
   

2. Read Baseball Saved Us to the students, encouraging them to write down events, characters, places, and facts as you read.  They are to write this information in the center area of the Venn diagram.
   
   

3. Ask the students to share their information.  On the overhead transparency, write it in the center area of the Venn diagram, showing that it is a combination of fiction and historical fact.
   
   

4. When all information has been recorded, have the students transfer the information to the remaining two areas of the Venn diagram—fiction and historical fact.  Anything that is a historical fact, such as World War II, is recorded on the Fictional Information side.  Anything that is made up is recorded on the Historical Information side.

Closure: Discuss with the students that historical fiction contains elements that are made up, but the story is based on actual historical events.

MATERIALS:

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STRUGGLING STUDENTS:

1. After reading the story the first time through, read it again so the students can get as many notes as possible.
   
   

2. If possible, provide extra copies of Baseball Saved Us to struggling students, either individually or in pairs, to make note-taking easier for them.
   
   

3. Call on struggling students first to ensure they have a chance to respond without someone else sharing their answers first.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

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