Historical Non-Fiction
By: Tory, Athina, Blair
Sources
• Historical Non-Fiction can be both primary and secondary sources– Primary- from the time period• Memoirs, letters, pictures
– Secondary- created after the fact (ex. by a historian) but still based on historical fact• Textbooks
Types of Historical Non-Fiction• Written sources:
– Memoirs/Biographies:• Anne Frank- The Diary of a Young Girl• Elie Wiesel- Night
– Textbooks or history books– Letters
• Posters:– Propaganda posters– Historical posters
• Videos:– Historica Minutes- available in almost all topics covered in Canadian history– Government or historian created videos
• Websites:– Great Unsolved Mysteries in Canadian History
• Contains primary documents on certain topics
How to use Books
• Novel Studies:– Read alouds– Silent reading– Open discussion– Novel journal– Create poster– Perform a skit– Use non traditional books (ex. Graphic novels, comics)– Scrapbooks- scavenger hunts
How to use Letters
• Show examples of primary and secondary letters
• Examine letters and explore who, what, where, when, why
• Write own letter to a historical figure• Write own letter pretending to be a historical
figure
How to Use Posters
• Examine the picture• Examine the text• Decide purpose- why was it made?• Context- when was it made?• Create own poster
Similar idea can be applied to pictures
Other Visuals/Auditory
• Maps• Pictures• Art• Musical instruments/ songs (Prime Minister song)
Using Historical Videos
• Make sure they are historically accurate before one shows it to a class– Be wary when using youtube
• Provides visual and auditory examples of history
• Make sure they are age-appropriate• Ex. Heritage Minutes, Schindler’s List• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pla
yer_detailpage&v=8oaRr6A-gkA
Websites
• Interactive• Investigation skills used• Provide visuals- pictures, written sources• Government websites can be helpful for
teachers- ex. Veterans Affairs• http://canadianmysteries.ca/en/index.php