Fifth Grade Research
Historical Fiction Unit
A: Ask Questions!
Do you have your questions ready? What are the keywords in your questions? You may need to revise your questions as you do your research.
G: Gather Information
Use the following sources to find answers to your questions.
Don't forget to take a look at the Media Center's books about the historical events featured in the novels you are studying.
Dragon's Gate, by Laurence Yep.
Use these web sites to gather background information about the building of the Transcontinental Railroad and the contribution of Chinese laborers.
Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum
Chinese-American Contribution to the Transcontinental Railroad
Education Page: Workmen of the Pacific Railway
Transcontinental Railroad: Driving the Last Spike
Workers of the Central Pacific Railroad
Read About the Author:
Laurence Yep web sites:
Finding Buck McHenry, by Alfred Slote.
Use these web sites to gather background information about the Negro Baseball League.
Black Baseball's Negro Baseball Leagues
Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry.
Read About the Author:
Lois Lowry web sites:
Sign of the Beaver, by Elizabeth George Speare.
Use the web sites below to read about the Native Americans and their culture featured in Sign of the Beaver:
Penobscot Indian Nation: Historical Background
Read About the Author:
Elizabeth George Speare web sites:
Wayside's Online Resources
Click here for more online resources, such as the online encyclopedias World Book and Encyclopedia Britannica.
O: Organize Your Information
Take notes on your graphic organizer.
P: Prepare Your Information
Your teacher will let you know how you will be sharing the background information about your historical fiction novel.
P: Present Your Information
Your teacher will tell you how you will be presenting your information.
E: Evaluate
Take time to think about the research process. Are there steps you would do differently the next time you research? What changes would you make?