This presentation was used at the Tennessee Reading Association Conference in 2013. It works with the historical fiction text type and shows how its use can make history more meaningful and enjoyable for students. It incorporates the authors work on a historical fiction book Sharpshooter: The Life and Times of Tilman Manus and also gives sources for use of hundreds of historical fiction works in the classroom.

1. The Importance
of Historical Fiction
in Teaching History
Keith Pruitt, Ed.S
www.woweducationalconsulting.com

2. • As we look at the Common Core State
Standards, it becomes apparent that it is
meant that even in Social Studies there is
the need to use different types of text.
• Too often, history is taught as a dry set of
facts. This happened at that point…
completely separated from emotion or
reality.

3. History is more
• Than just the actions of
leaders. Washington led
the Revolution but our
ancestors fought it.
• Than just dates on a
calendar. September 11th
is more than just a tragic
date in American history.
• Than just boring facts to be
remembered for a test.
• History is the account of
how our families came to
be….

4. Historical Fiction
Allows
• Students to look at
history as human
interaction
• Present history as
POV

5. SHARPSHOOTER
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF TILMAN MANUS

6. HOW THIS JOURNEY BEGAN

7. JOHN FOX MANUS

8. Discovered Cairo Newspaper Article
dated December 29, 1937
• Born in Cannon County in
1835
• He and uncle James had
moved Wallace family on
foot to Shreveport (or
somewhere there about)
when he was 19
• Then went to Anna, Illinois
• Helped lay the railroad lines
• Witnessed Lincoln/Douglas
Debate
• Served in Civil War as Union
soldier
• Became a farmer

9. In 1939, Tilman’s
daughter-in-law (Andrew’s
wife) Josie recorded
various recollections from
Tilman reflecting on his
life. This was kept in print
until recently.

10. As I began to do research I began to find all types of
pictures that existed of Tilman. Some of these were
given to me after the book came out.

14. TRAVELING TO FIND TILMAN
During the course of doing research, I’ve traveled
to Anna a couple of times, to Lick Creek, Cobden,
Jonesboro, Vicksburg and Natchez, Mississippi. I
began to work toward creating a story of those
years of transition when he went from a teenager
in Cannon County to coming home from the War
in 1865.
Here is a pictorial collage of the journey.

15. Barringer School where Tilman’s children were
educated.
Tilman’s farmhouse as it appeared
in 1967. He left this house in about
1911.
Tilman’s City House today

18. The final resting
place of Uncle
James Manus in
the National
Cemetery in
Natchez, Miss.

20. A Reading From the Book

21. How Can I Build This
In The Classroom?
1. Look for ways to
incorporate the reading of
good historical fiction into
the classroom.
2. Have students look at
historical topics through
other POVs.
3. Incorporate RESEARCH and
Writing of historical fiction
in the classroom.
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/650.Bes
t_Children_s_Historical_Fiction

22. Thank You
Keith Pruitt
www.woweducationalconsulting.com
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