The "Dear America" series of books can be used in many waysto enrich history lesson plans. Choose a novel from a time period that you are currently studying, and assign the book as supplemental reading. Allow discussion time for students to talk about the book as you progress. Be sure to relate specific events in the novel to events from the history textbook. This will add another dimension to the era of history that the students are learning about.
Another idea is to read the novel aloud to the class each day as part of the history lesson. Elementary teachers could read the novel aloud during another part of the daily schedule, but tie it into the current history unit. Students will develop a deeper desire to learn more about the time period from the novel, because the books engage the emotions to such a degree that most students will really relate to the characters.
After reading a "Dear America" novel in the classroom, ask the students to write their own imaginary diary entry. Ask them to write the entry as if they were living in the time period you are currently studying in history class. Writing a diary around a specific historic era or event requires a higher level of understanding of the subject, because the students will have to relate the character's feelings and challenges accurately surrounding the chosen topic of history. Students can share their diary entries aloud if they choose.
