Caily Bridgeland
Lesson Plan: Introduction to the Fantasy Genre
Objective: In this lesson, students will become acquainted with the characteristics of the Fantasy genre, and will be able to distinguish Fantasy books from Realistic Fiction books. They will learn the names of several different types of Fantasy stories, but focus specifically on “Epic Fantasy,” which emphasizes the forces of good and evil, moral lessons, and the hero’s journey/quest. After learning these patterns and themes, students will begin brainstorming ideas for their own Fantasy stories that they will write on a handout.
SOLs:
4.5 h: Draw conclusions/make inferences about text.
4.6 a: The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction texts using text structures, such as type, headings, and graphics, to predict and categorize information
4.6 i: The student will use prior knowledge and build additional background knowledge as context for new learning
Materials: 21 picture books for “Book Walk” from either the Realistic Fiction or Fantasy Genre, loose leaf sheet of paper, Fantasy brainstorm handout, pencil
Introduction: Explain that students will be learning about a new genre that is still Fiction. Review what “fiction” means, and review the definition of “Realistic Fiction,” with which students are familiar. Explain how “Fantasy” is different in that it incorporates settings, characters, and plots that are magical, supernatural or could not occur in real life.
Procedure:
1) Define “Fantasy” and differentiate it from Realistic Fiction. Fantasy = a work of literature set in an unreal world often with superhuman characters and monsters
2) Make a chart on the board with Setting, Characters, and Plot, Themes and fill in the chart, soliciting student input.
3) Read aloud The Loathsome Dragon. Which type of Fantasy book is it? (Epic Fantasy) What makes this a Fantasy Book?
--forces of good and evil
--moral lesson(“Goodness and bravery overcomes evil and cruelty,” and “Don’t judge a book by its cover”)
--quest to save his sister
--hero
--magical characters that do not exist in real life
--themes that teach us to be better people in real life
4) Conduct a “Book Walk.” Have 21 books prearranged around the classroom and have students walk around the room categorizing the books into Realistic Fiction or Fantasy. If Fantasy, have students write down at least one reason why. Go over the answers with the class, and clarify stories that students were unsure about.
5) Explain that students will be brainstorming their own Fantasy stories today. They will be using the format for the first Fantasy setting that was discussed: where the setting starts in the real world and moves into a fantasy world through a portal (like Peter Pan, The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe, Harry Potter.)
6) They will have “Ingredients to an Epic Fantasy Story” that will be the brainstorm for a Fantasy story that they will write. What they must include:
a) A realistic setting where the book begins
b) A portal –“an opening or crossing between the real world and the fantasy world” (ex. the wardrobe in Lion, Witch, Wardrobe, or Platform 9 and 3 quarters in Harry Potter)
c) A fantasy world setting (has elements that could not exist in real life)
d) A hero as a protagonist (force of good)
e) A villain (force of bad)
f) A quest –a journey with a purpose to achieve something
g) A moral lesson: (For example: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”)
Closure: Why is Fantasy important?
It helps reinforce life lessons that are true in reality such as the forces of good and evil and the hero’s journey.
Fantasy is important and special because it has no limits on imagination and creativity.
Some fantasy is taken from history, medieval times, and Greek and Roman mythology.
Name: ______Epic Fantasy Brainstorm Handout
1) Realistic Setting: A realistic place where the story begins
2) Portal: an opening or crossing between the real world and the fantasy world
3) Fantastical Setting: A magical world that could not exist in reality
4) Hero: A protagonist or main character who is the force of good
5) Villain: A character who is the force of evil
6) Quest: a journey with a purpose or intent
8) Moral Lesson:
Homophones, also known as sound-alike words, are words that are pronounced identically although they have different spellings and meanings. These words are a very common source of confusion when writing. Common examples of sets of homophones include: to, too, and two; they're, there, and their; bee and be; sun and son; which and witch; and plain and plane.
Spelling packet has some of these words. Will focus on that for language arts this week.
But today, do something fun for St. Patrick’s Day.
Create a story about a Leprechaun. You get to name your Leprechaun. Then make a list on a loose leaf paper with “Adjectives” on one side and “Adverbs” on the other side (T chart.)
On the left side, describe the Leprechaun himself (so write many adjectives to describe him such as “funny, smart, quick, happy.” While on the right-hand side describe what he does using a verb and a descriptive word (adverb). (“runs swiftly, jumps high, smiles brightly”).
Reminder about Adjectives and Adverbs:
The quick Leprechaun went out of sight.
The Leprechaun went out of sight quickly.
Adjectives: describe nouns and pronouns.
Adverbs: describe verbs, adverbs, or other adjectives.
“Adjectives often come before the noun. Adverbs come after and describe a verb often with “-ly” at the end.
“The Leprechaun bounced happily up and down.” (happily, adverb)
“The hungry Leprechaun ate a hamburger.” (hungry, adjective)
“The Leprechaun felt full.” (full, adverb)
“The silly Leprechaun ate all of the soda bread.” (silly, adjective)
“The Leprechaun quickly moved from behind the dresser.” (adverb, quickly)
“The Leprechaun is the character most commonly used for mischief.” (adverb, most)
Divide a page in your journal into six sections. Write a sentence that has both an adjective and an adverb in it showing the Leprechaun’s process in finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Circle the adjective in red and the adverb in green in each sentence.
“The Leprechaun deviously tricked me.” (adjectively, deviously)
“The intelligent Leprechaun found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” (intelligent, adjective)