“Hattie’s War” provides a rich, multidimensional learning experience that aligns with curriculum standards in English Language Arts and Social Studies. Its historical context, combined with emotional and literary depth, allows students to explore critical themes such as resilience, the impact of war, and personal growth while developing key reading, writing, and analytical skills.
1. English Language Arts (ELA) Standards:
Reading Literature:
– CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6-8.1: Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
– “Hattie’s War” encourages students to analyze character motivations, themes of grief and resilience, and the novel’s historical setting. Teachers can have students cite specific passages to explain how Hattie and her family cope with loss and how the Civil War impacts their lives.
– CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6-8.2: Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
– Students can explore the themes of loss, resilience, and coming of age in “Hattie’s War”, and create summaries that reflect their understanding of how these themes are developed through the novel’s events and characters.
– CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6-8.3: Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot).
– The historical setting of the Civil War plays a crucial role in shaping Hattie’s journey. Students can analyze how the war and its aftermath affect the characters’ actions, emotions, and relationships, providing a deeper understanding of the story.
Writing:
– CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-8.3: Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
– Students can write letters or diary entries from Hattie’s perspective or another character in the story, allowing them to engage with historical fiction and practice narrative writing based on the text.
– CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6-8.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
– Students can use textual evidence from “Hattie’s War” to support their analysis of themes such as the impact of war on families, or the importance of resilience, enhancing their research and writing skills.
2. Social Studies Standards:
Historical Understanding:
– NCSS Theme 2: Time, Continuity, and Change:
– “Hattie’s War” immerses students in the post-Civil War era, helping them understand how the war affected everyday lives. Students can compare Hattie’s experiences to those of real families during and after the war, and explore continuity and change in American history.
– CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
– The novel includes letters and references to actual Civil War events. Students can use these historical references as primary source analysis and connect them to real historical events, deepening their understanding of the period.
– NCSS Theme 5: Individuals, Groups, and Institutions:
– The novel addresses the roles and responsibilities of family members during times of crisis, particularly how women and children manage in the absence of men during wartime. Students can analyze how the Civil War impacted individuals and families, contributing to their understanding of social history.
Critical Thinking and Inquiry:
– CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.
– Students will encounter historical terms and Civil War references throughout “Hattie’s War”. Teachers can use these terms as a springboard for lessons on historical vocabulary and how these terms relate to the context of the war.
– CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.9: Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.
– Teachers can pair “Hattie’s War” with primary source documents such as letters, photographs, or historical accounts of the Civil War, encouraging students to compare how different sources reflect the realities of war and its aftermath.
3. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL):
– SEL Competencies: Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, and Responsible Decision-Making:
– “Hattie’s War” offers opportunities for students to reflect on themes of grief, loss, and resilience. As Hattie processes her emotions and makes decisions about how to cope with her situation, students can engage in discussions about empathy, emotional regulation, and decision-making, linking the story to their own social-emotional development.
4. Cross-Curricular Connections:
– Art & Creativity:
– Hattie uses drawing as a way to process her emotions, making art a key theme in the novel. Teachers can create cross-curricular projects where students use visual arts to express themes or historical events in the story.