View from the 5th Grade Trenches -March 2012 - Hysterical for Historical

How many of you can still remember the yawn-fest from history/social studies class? I was bored out of my gourd during most of my formal education in history. I'd rather weed a cornfield than memorize an endless parade of dates/events/people with whom I had absolutely NO connection.


Ironically, now as a teacher, I adore teaching history. Why? I approach it as a great story, and I use historical fiction to help me tell that story. What better way to make the past come alive than to view it with the relatable eyes of a middle grade peer.


In 5th grade we go on the great adventure of American history. Here are a few of the novels that have helped me bring the days of yore to my students.

THE SIGN OF THE BEAVER by Elizabeth George Speare
Homesteading and understanding of American Indian tribes of the Northeast Woodlands

THE WITCH AT BLACKBIRD POND by Elizabeth George Speare
Puritan vs. Quaker and the witchcraft insanity of the colonial period












THE FIGHTING GROUND by Avi
The horror of the Revolutionary War

THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak, NUMBER THE STARS by Lois Lowry

The holocaust and World War Two

What are some of your favorite middle grade historical fiction stories?

View From the 5th Grade Trenches - October 2011 - I'd Like to Read About...

The kids in my class are reading maniacs. They have accepted our principal's challenge to read 30 books each between August and June. 


When I asked what kind of books they'd like to see, here's what they told me:


I'd like to read a book about...
...a homeless boy who builds something that will be passed on for generations
...a soldier who finds an abandoned bunker filled with robots
...a frog named Andy who goes on a space adventure to Venus and meets an alien named Moe
...a modern kid lost in prehistoric times
...a talent show
...a fifth grader who solves the mystery of bank robbery in his town
...a girl who explores the Costa Rican forest
...Santa Claus and a leprechaun who are stuck in Halloween 
...a funny story about the gold rush
...a fifth grader who falls off a cruise ship and gets stranded on an island
...a fifth grade boy who loses his sports ability when he makes fun of a witch in Las Vegas

Okay all you MG authors. Get writing. Can you say, "NaNo?"

If you write it, they will come.


photo credit

View From the 5th Grade Trenches - August 2011 - The Scieszka Zone

You are about to enter another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. A journey into a wondrous land of imagination. Next stop, 

The Scieszka Zone

Where else can a math cursed kid escape by putting two halves together to make a hole in the wall?

Where else can the Big Bad Wolf plead his case?

Where else can a cowboy crack up about a head of lettuce?

Where else can Chicken Licken seek an audience with Obama?

Nothing tops the giggles of a roomful of kids. That is why I start every school year sharing the witty and hilarious words of Jon Scieszka and the crazy-perfect pictures of Lane Smith with my class. Their stories are every bit as guffaw-inducing for adults as they are for the kids.

Jon Scieszka has clocked time as a teacher in the elementary school trenches and he proves over and over his special magic for communicating with kids. As a teacher I appreciate everything Scieszka for the teachable moments the works provide above and beyond engaging kids with their solid gold humor.

MATH CURSE – Introduces the Fibonacci sequence: 1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,34 (Have you cracked the code?) as well as empathizing with students about the mind boggling math concepts they have to conquer each new school year.

THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS – Is an approachable and entertaining example of teaching voice and point of view.

COWBOY AND OCTOPUS – Is Diversity 101. The relationship and tolerance between these two unlikely amigos exemplifies the joy of putting differences aside and being friends with someone unexpected.

THE STINKY CHEESE MAN AND OTHER FAIRLY STUPID TALES – Besides the perk of getting to say “stupid” for the guaranteed laugh, these quick spins on traditional tales are ripe for teaching the elements of a story.

Thank you Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith for all the lesson plan blanks you’ve filled in for me, and above all else, for making kids crave books.

Look for the signpost up ahead – your next stop, 

The Scieszka Zone

The Twilight Zone introduction is written by Rod Serling.