A Window into History: Family Memory in Children's Literature

by Eleanor MacDonald

Overview

This is an excellent resource for objectives-based education. Because the foundation of the social studies curriculum is the family, A Window into History gives teachers an engaging method for introducing students to books that are structured as personal narratives of family histories. These books, both fiction and nonfiction, combined with highly appropriate activities and projects, build themes around community, history, and cultural or social differences. In addition, the variety of cultural backgrounds in the titles makes A Window into History especially valuable in programs that emphasize multicultural issues. Recommended teacher resource for grades 3-8.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780897748797
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/04/1995
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.52(d)

About the Author

ELEANOR KAY MACDONALD is the children's librarian at the Beverly Hills Public Library in Beverly Hills, California. She has a Master's of Library Science degree from UCLA and has been a children's librarian for 15 years. MacDonald is a reviewer for School Library Jourbanal and has authored several articles for the publication. She is a member of the American Library Association, Southern California Council on Literature for Children and Young People, and Friends of Children and Literature and has served on the FOCAL and Judy Lopez Award Committees.

Table of Contents

Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
CHAPTER 1. Coming to the New World: The Immigrant Experience 1
Recommended Reading 1
Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 16
Background Sources 16
Project: Oral History—-Learning About Your Immigrant Ancestors 17
Cultural Heritage 21
Critical Thinking and Writing: Comparing Experiences 24
CHAPTER 2. Opening the New Land: The Frontier Experience 27
Recommended Reading 28
Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 42
Pioneer Crafts 42
Pioneer Games and Toys 46
Frontier Cooking 47
Making Things for the Home and Community 49
CHAPTER 3. The Other Frontier Story: The Changing World of Native Americans 52
Recommended Reading 52
Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 59
Learn About Your Neighbors 59
Customs and Cultures 60
CHAPTER 4. Growing Up in the Country 67
Recommended Reading 68
Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 100
Project: Connections and Comparisons 100
Objects From the Past 101
Seasons and Celebrations 103
The Changing Countryside 109
CHAPTER 5. Growing Up in Cities and Suburbs 110
Recommended Reading 110
Special Projects and Enrichment 129
Background Sources 129
The Changing City 130
Project: Looking at Buildings 131
Signs and Other Stuff 132
Project: How Much Did Things Cost? 133
Toys 134
Street Games 135
Sports and Radio 136
CHAPTER 6. Fear, Loss, and Courage: Families During World War II 138
Recommended Reading 139
Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 149
Background Sources 149
World War II Jackdaw 150
Community Efforts: Sacrifices and Contributions 151
Internment Camps 152
CHAPTER 7. From Me to You: Passing On Traditions and Stories 154
Recommended Reading with Special Projects and Enrichment Activities 155
Tracing the Generations 155
Remembering Family Houses 158
Family Storytelling 162
Photo Albums, Scrapbooks, and Other Family Records 165
Family Vacations 167
Visiting Grandparents and Other Assorted Relatives 169
Family Heirlooms 173
The Memory Box 179
Tracking Time 181
The Many Origins of Family Stories 183
APPENDIX 1. Oral History and Genealogy Techniques 189
Recommended Reading 189
Some Successful Oral History Projects 193
APPENDIX 2. Collecting Local History 195
Recommended Reading 195
APPENDIX 3. Recommended Titles by Ethnic Origin, Dates, and Location of Story 197
INDEX 215