Students learn about literary elements, such as plot and characters, across a number of literary genres. They also do some creative writing.
Literary Genres unit contains 9 learning experiences.
Learning Experiences (Lessons) in Literary Genres Each learning experience takes about 45 minutes to teach in the device-enabled classroom.
Let’s Read a Story
Students discuss how they guess what a story will be about. Then, they read the title and first sentences of a historical fictional short story to practice those skills. Next, they read the entire story and look back at their questions and confirm or correct predictions. Finally, they create or find an illustration for the story.
What’s the Story About?
Students identify plot and theme in Aesop’s fable “The Ants and the Grasshopper.” Then, they read an African fable, “The Rat and the Toad,” and answer questions about its plot and theme. Next, they explain their processes of finding theme in “The Ants and the Grasshopper.” Finally, they choose a story they have read and state its plot and theme.
Different Types of Stories
Students begin by identifying kinds of stories that they like. Then, they learn the definitions of five genres of children’s stories. Next, they read one of Aesop’s fables, followed by a folktale that is not a fable, and they distinguish between the two types. Finally, they work in small groups to research and report on characteristics of tall tales.
Analyzing Characters
Students read an Aesop fable and identify the interactions and changes in the characters. Then, they read an Eskimo folktale and explain how character interactions and changes relate to each other. Finally, they choose a fable or folktale and demonstrate their knowledge by analyzing character interactions and changes.
Analyzing Plot Elements
Students examine the five elements of basic plot structure. Next, they read a folktale and identify each plot element in the story. Finally, they analyze the plot elements in a self-selected story.
Analyzing the Setting
Students identify the setting of a photo of an astronaut in space. Then, they read and respond to a passage from a classic children’s book with a distinct setting. Next, they explain how setting influences plot. Finally, they apply what they have learned to a story they know and like.
Point of View
Students look at a photo that shows different family members’ points of view of one event. Then, they learn to identify first-person and third-person points of view. Next, they read two versions of a passage differing in point of view and explain their responses to them. Finally, they write two different versions of the same one-paragraph story, using different points of view.
Reading Poetry
Students explore the essential traits of poetry, focusing on figurative language. Next, they explain examples of figurative language. Finally, they choose subjects and write very brief poems using figurative language.
Book Review (Fiction)
Students learn the elements of writing a book review. Then, they choose a book to read and explain why they chose it. Next, they read the book and write their book review. Finally, they rate the book and create a new cover for it.
