Historical Fiction

Here's Indiana Social Studies Standard 7.1.23:

"SS.7.1.23

Chronological Thinking, Historical Comprehension, Analysis and Interpretation, Research: Compare perspectives of history in Africa, Asia and the Southwest Pacific using fictional and nonfictional accounts."

(If you're ever wondering what our standards are, you can look them up anytime HERE.)

We looked at some nonfictional accounts in order to complete our Qin Shi Huang Di presentations.  Today we watched the intro to The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.  Much of what we studied was in there - the emperor's brutal rise to power, the building of the great wall, his search for immortality.  But we also noticed the artistic license and fictionalization of the narrative as well.

I'm pretty sure the emperor couldn't manipulate fire with his hands...  Also, this account depicts a witch turning his real army into clay soldiers.

I love historical fictions, but it does make it difficult to distinguish what really happened from that which was contrived.  

We also took some notes.  But that's not as exciting to talk about.

If you want the extra credit, you have to read and discuss the blog with an adult.  Ask the adult if they've ever read, watched, or listened to any historical fiction.  Talk about it.  Ask if it was difficult to distinguish what was real from what was false.  Then, on a sheet of scrap paper, answer this question: Have they read/watched/listened to historical fiction?  What did they think about it?

Have them sign it.  Make sure your name is on it.  Turn it in on Monday.