Flights of Fantasy: Exploring Modern Literary Genres

Presented by: Tracy Sparent

Subject Area(s):

Grade Level(s):

Description:

SLMS will spend one lesson each month looking at some of the different literary genres found in teen literature. Each lesson will focus on one area that is of some relevance to middle school students. The genres will include fantasy, science fiction, ghost stories, fairy tales, and romance, among others, in an effort to encourage out of class reading, and to introduce students to some new and interesting authors they may not be aware of. At the end of each lesson students will be asked to find a book in this genre to read by the end of the month. They will then be asked to share their thoughts on the book and the genre during the last class of each month.

Goals & Objectives:

Instructional Goals:

·        Students will learn about the different types of literary genres available to teens and young adults.

·        Students will learn the value of sharing their thoughts and opinions about literature with others.

·        Students will learn the importance of listening to the thoughts and opinions of others

 

Learning Objectives:

Materials:

see supporting documents for Thought Questions worksheet.

Procedures:

Introduction:   SLMS will create a display of books                             Props

from different literary genres by teen and young adult                             Lecture

authors to introduce the topic of literary genres to middle                       Group Discussion

school students.  The SLMS will ask the students what                         Instructor Feedback

they see in the display of books – Any similarities?  Any

differences?   If so, what are they and how would you

describe them?  This will allow the SMLS to gauge how

much the students already know, as well provide a relay

to the task they will be assigned.

 

Body: SLMS will provide a list to the students of teen and                    Lecture

young adult authors and book titles broken down by literary                  Discussion

genre.  He/She will then explain the task that is expected of                    Reading List

the students as such: at the start of each month, throughout                     Instructor Feedback

the course of the school year, they will look at a different

literary genre.  At this point the SLMS will introduce the

first genre they will be looking at, as well as the task that

will be expected of the students.  The students will then

be asked to choose a book, either from the list provided,

or one of their own choosing, to read by the end of the

month.  They will be given a list of thought questions to

consider as they read the book, that will help them prepare

for the group discussion at the end of the month. 

 

Conclusion: Toward the end of the introductory class, students            Work Sheet

will have some time to look at the display of books to get a                    Group Discussion

better understanding of the different genres, and to ask any                    Instructor Feedback

questions they might have regarding the first assigned genre.

By the last class of that month, students should have finished

their chosen book and should be prepared to share their thoughts

based on the questions given.

Assessment:

Learning Assessment Methods:



� The SLMS will work closely with the students to ensure that have the support and assistance that they need.

� Students will answer questions regarding the discussion to ensure that they are on track.

� At the end of class, students will have an opportunity to ask any additional questions they might have regarding the assigned task to ensure that they understand what is expected.

� Students will share their answers to the Thought Questions worksheet provided by the SLMS, this will help to show that they have read and thought about the book they chose.

� The ability to actively listen and respond with respect and consideration within a group discussion will be assessed by the instructor.

Supporting Files:

Standards: