Dear America Books as History
Talk Dear America
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1sgerbic
Wow a new group, and I am in on the ground floor (I feel so special). Well first the question maybe people would like to discuss then my comments of the Dear America series (and I include the other "diary" type books in this category)
My questions are....What impact do you feel this series has on the study of American History? Do you think there is any place for these fictional books in a history classroom (whatever grade level)? How accurate do you think these books are (history wise)?
Now my comments....
I am a year into my Masters in American History. When approaching a new historical subject that I know little about I usually do 3 things, Read up on the Wikipedia pages (yes I know they are not always accurate), Read a Dummies book on the subject, and try and find a Dear America book on the subject.
Most books (okay probably all of them) I read for my Master's classes are very scholarly otherwise primary source books (diaries, newspaper articles, music words, speeches, ect). A lot of the scholarly works already assume you know quite a bit on the subject, which I may not. The 3 avenues I use help me get an overview of the subject I am about to dive into, the Dear America books really help set the "tone" of the era, I can picture the setting clearer.
And so far, I have not found any clear problems with the historical data. But then again, I am still a student.
I hope to teach Jr College with my Masters, and I have been toying with the idea of suggesting these books as a quick, fun read to better understand the issues we will be covering in class. I also am thinking about allowing as a fun assignment for students to "write" a diary entry (maybe as extra credit). I had a Civil War class ask for us to write a letter to someone in that time period. I really enjoyed it.
The problems with teaching history has always been making it interesting. A professor can make or break a history class.
Susan
My questions are....What impact do you feel this series has on the study of American History? Do you think there is any place for these fictional books in a history classroom (whatever grade level)? How accurate do you think these books are (history wise)?
Now my comments....
I am a year into my Masters in American History. When approaching a new historical subject that I know little about I usually do 3 things, Read up on the Wikipedia pages (yes I know they are not always accurate), Read a Dummies book on the subject, and try and find a Dear America book on the subject.
Most books (okay probably all of them) I read for my Master's classes are very scholarly otherwise primary source books (diaries, newspaper articles, music words, speeches, ect). A lot of the scholarly works already assume you know quite a bit on the subject, which I may not. The 3 avenues I use help me get an overview of the subject I am about to dive into, the Dear America books really help set the "tone" of the era, I can picture the setting clearer.
And so far, I have not found any clear problems with the historical data. But then again, I am still a student.
I hope to teach Jr College with my Masters, and I have been toying with the idea of suggesting these books as a quick, fun read to better understand the issues we will be covering in class. I also am thinking about allowing as a fun assignment for students to "write" a diary entry (maybe as extra credit). I had a Civil War class ask for us to write a letter to someone in that time period. I really enjoyed it.
The problems with teaching history has always been making it interesting. A professor can make or break a history class.
Susan
2itsJUSTme
Hi, I am 46 and i enjoy this series of books very much!
I never liked social studies (history) in school, it was boring! But now that I am reading history for fun, I actually like it. I have turned into quite an American history buff.
I think this series would be a great tool for teaching history in school. My daughter (who is now in college) never liked history. I told her "that is because no one ever made it fun. History is nothing but stories about people's lives! If it were taught that way I think more students would enjoy it"
I never liked social studies (history) in school, it was boring! But now that I am reading history for fun, I actually like it. I have turned into quite an American history buff.
I think this series would be a great tool for teaching history in school. My daughter (who is now in college) never liked history. I told her "that is because no one ever made it fun. History is nothing but stories about people's lives! If it were taught that way I think more students would enjoy it"
3SusieBookworm
I think the books are very accurate (this coming from a teenage history buff), and are very good historical fiction books no matter how old you are. I like it when the diaries are focused on sections of history that you don't hear a lot about, like WWI or the Santa Fe Trail.
4FaerytaleMalice
I've always adored history, but American history least. The Dear America books make it easier to find interesting parts of history. & from what I've found, they are historically accurate.
5benuathanasia
I know this thread is basically dead, but I thought I'd weigh in.
The Dear Canada series actually sells companion books for teaching them in the classroom. I'd say these books work wonderfully if your school does team teach (pairing LA with Social Studies or Math with Science. For example, if your social studies class is studying the Revolutionary War, the language arts class bolsters the lessons by reading My Brother Sam is Dead or something).
Personally, when I was still an undergrad, I used these books to help with my thesis (Didacticism of Young Adult Literature with Regards to WWI). I have all of the collections from the different countries that do it (Dear America, Dear Canada, My Story: UK, My Story: Australia and My Story: New Zealand) so I could explore how WWI is portrayed from different global perspectives (there were many works OUTSIDE the Dear America series that I used as well; No Hero for the Kaiser, All Quiet on the Western Front, Ruth Fielding at the War Front, Johnny Got His Gun, etc.).
I think Dear America (and any well researched historical fiction) is a great resource in a social studies class because it's a lot easier for students to understand and relate to. Facts, figures and dates mean nothing to most people. It's emotions, experiences, and sensory details that make up the bulk of our "give-a-sh*t."
The Dear Canada series actually sells companion books for teaching them in the classroom. I'd say these books work wonderfully if your school does team teach (pairing LA with Social Studies or Math with Science. For example, if your social studies class is studying the Revolutionary War, the language arts class bolsters the lessons by reading My Brother Sam is Dead or something).
Personally, when I was still an undergrad, I used these books to help with my thesis (Didacticism of Young Adult Literature with Regards to WWI). I have all of the collections from the different countries that do it (Dear America, Dear Canada, My Story: UK, My Story: Australia and My Story: New Zealand) so I could explore how WWI is portrayed from different global perspectives (there were many works OUTSIDE the Dear America series that I used as well; No Hero for the Kaiser, All Quiet on the Western Front, Ruth Fielding at the War Front, Johnny Got His Gun, etc.).
I think Dear America (and any well researched historical fiction) is a great resource in a social studies class because it's a lot easier for students to understand and relate to. Facts, figures and dates mean nothing to most people. It's emotions, experiences, and sensory details that make up the bulk of our "give-a-sh*t."
