An Analysis of Literature for the Age of Exploration in the Intermediate Grades

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to identify good read aloud literature available for an intermediate social studies unit on the exploration of the early Americas. The questions that guide this research are: is the information presented in children's picture/nonfiction trade books about early American explorers in alignment with the objectives of social studies standards and benchmarks, and to what degree do these children's literature selections about exploration qualify as good literature? A sample of 20 books were selected for this study. A checklist was created which incorporated criteria identified in the literature as indic;:1tors of 'good' literature. Of the 20 books selected for this study, eight qualified as quality literature and met social studies standards and benchmarks. Results indicate that these eight books would be effective read aloud books for a unit on the exploration of the Early Americas. Further research is recommended to expand book selections for this topic. In addition, this project provides an instrument that can be adapted for use in selecting quality literature on other social studies topics.