Copyright © 2010 Caroline Starr Rose

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Author pictures by Crystal Sanderson Photography

for teachers:

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Where in the World Are We Reading is an easy, interdisciplinary assignment I developed to be used in both language arts and social studies classrooms. It is an effective way to keep students reading a variety of books, allows students to select books on their own reading and interest levels, works easily in upper elementary and middle-school classrooms, assesses students' understanding of character growth, motivation, goals, and challenges, and allows students to explore people, places, and historical periods in depth.

1. 1. Students select books from the following genres:
   

2. historical fiction 
   

3. biography 
   

4. contemporary fiction set outside of the United States
   

5. non-fiction based on historical events
   

6. 2. While reading, students fill out a Travel Log.
   

Here are some additional ideas to consider including in your own classroom:

1. 1. Have students mark their book's setting on a wall map.
   

2. 2. Require students to read a book from a different continent or country for each travel log.
   

3. 3. Allow students to follow their interests and read a variety of books on one person, place, or historical period. (This is especially effective for schools that participate in the Social Studies Fair).
   

4. 4. Use travel logs as a framework for writing book reports or essays.
   

5. 5. Ask students to fill in travel logs as they read class novels.
   

Happy is he who
has laid up in his youth, and held
fast in all fortune,
a genuine passionate love of reading.

~ Rufus Choate ~