How to Use Children's Literature to Teach Writing Research

Children's literature can be a useful tool when teaching young writers about writing research. This is because children can see, first hand, the role research plays when creating a story set in a historical setting, or when reading children's literature about historical or notable figures. Here is information about how to use children's literature to teach writing research.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Examples of children's literature that are historical or about historical figures
• Books about the period in which the children's literature is placed
• Biographies of the historical figures in the children's literature
• A field trip to the setting found in the children's literature

1. Use children's literature to teach writing research by reading literature set in a historical period. Books like "Johnny Tremain," which is set in the months before the beginning of the American Revolution, or "The Witch of Blackbird Pond," which is set in a 17th century Puritan community in Connecticut Colony, are fine examples of the importance of research and contain compelling stories.

2. Read biographical stories as another way to use children's literature to teach writing research. By reading books like "Ben and Me: An Astonishing Life of Benjamin Franklin as Written by His Good Mouse Amos," by Robert Lawson and "Eleanor," by Barbara Cooney, children can learn how they can use writing research to create moving stories.

3. Read books of the periods in which the children's literature are set to learn about using children's literature to teach writing research. For example, if children are studying Johnny Tremain, read books about the history of Boston and the American Colonies.

4. Study the biographies of historical figures when using children's literature to teach writing research. For example, read a biography of Benjamin Franklin to learn how the author, Robert Lawson, used elements of Franklin's life to create "Ben and Me."

5. Go on field trips where some of the books are set . When reading "Johnny Tremain," for example, exploring places like the Old North Church where the lanterns were hung, or the harbor where the Boston Tea Party took place, can help the children see how knowledge of a place and research can help give life to books.

Tips & Warnings

• Have fun when using children's literature to teach writing research. Encourage the children to think of their methods of research, and write stories of their own.

Resources

• "Johnny Tremain" is an example of children's literature set in a histoircal period
• "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" is another book set in a historical setting
• "Ben and Me" is an example of a compelling take on biography
• Barbara Cooney's "Eleanor" is another example of a compelling biography