The Birchbark House

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What is the meaning of the term “broken heart”? Could the meanings be both literal and figurative—and if so, how? What are the physical and emotional symptoms of a broken heart? What other emotions do people often associate with the heart?

Teaching Suggestion: Lead the class to come to a consensus regarding a working definition of the term.

• “Broken Heart Syndrome” explains the causes and symptoms of this real condition.

Short Activity

Brainstorm a list of stories you’ve read (for a class or on your own) that fit the genre of historical fiction. Then find 2-3 reputable, helpful sources to use in answering the questions.

• What characteristics set historical fiction apart from other genres?
• What might a writer of historical fiction do in preparing to write and during the writing process that is different from writing other kinds of stories?

Teaching Suggestion: You might want to create a chart with columns for Setting, Characters, Plot to record students’ ideas about the characteristics of the genre. As time allows, students might use resources online to investigate the historical setting of the novel.