Exploring Fiction Worlds
English • 30 • 8 students • Created with AI following Aligned with Common Core State Standards
Free PDF · we'll email you a copy
Teaching Instructions
Today we are going to begin our unit of study on fiction. There are many different types of fiction.
Display the Appendix "Types of Fiction."
While there are many different types of fiction, the writer's purpose remains the same—to entertain readers. As we study, we will learn about a few types of fiction: realistic fiction, historical fiction, and one type of traditional literature—the modern fairy tale.
Today we are going to begin reading a realistic fiction novel called Journey by Patricia MacLachlan that we will continue to read during the rest of the unit.
Be sure to read the rest of this short but powerful novel during the Interactive Read-Aloud phase.
Start a new page in the Read-Aloud section of your Reading Notebooks. Realistic fiction means that the characters are made up, but the setting and conflicts could happen in real life.
When building the world of a story, readers must ask a lot of questions. The beginning of a story is like Swiss cheese, where there are lots of holes that we need to fill in. We'll go through a process of learning information and asking questions. Let's begin reading, asking questions, and filling in the holes!
DURING THE READ I will jot some of my questions on sticky notes and will ask you to jot some questions as well.
Read aloud the first page and point out the use of italics.
I am wondering what that part is about. When is it happening?
Read aloud through p. 4.
We've met some characters: Grandpa, Grandma, Journey's sister Cat, and Journey, our narrator.
Jot the names on a sticky note.
I will look for information to fill in the holes about these characters. What are they like?
Have students turn and talk with partners, then share as a class. Finish reading Chapter 1.
Turn and talk with your partners about what we know so far about the characters and the story and what you are still wondering.
Begin reading Chapter 2 through p. 7.
There seems to be a problem within the family. Journey seems really upset about the letter he and Cat receive from their mom. I think she is gone. I wonder why.
Jot this question on a sticky note.
What do we know about this so far? Turn and talk with your partners about your thinking. Let's read on to learn more and fill in the holes.
Stop at various points for students to turn and talk to partners or stop and jot.
Continue reading, pausing after the description of Journey's bedroom on p. 10.
I noticed the description of Journey's bedroom here. It appears as though he is living at his grandparents' house.
Jot this on a sticky note. Continue reading through the end of Chapter 3, modeling thinking and giving students opportunities to stop and jot and turn and talk about what they are learning and questions they have.
AFTER THE READ Let's take a minute to look over our character notes and create a chart about who we met, what we know, and what questions we have.
Display the Appendix "Building the World of the Story" and fill it in with student ideas. One question you might add is: Why is Journey so annoyed that Grandpa takes so many pictures?
Now let's move into a conversation about our thinking regarding Journey, the characters, what we have learned, and what we are still wondering.
Encourage students to look at the speaker and respond to each other's ideas during your class conversation. At the end of the conversation, summarize the major points by saying, "So it seems like we have mostly been talking about . . ."
We will finish this amazing novel throughout our unit and continue to study the genre of fiction.
Exploring Fiction Worlds
Objectives
- Curriculum Area: English Language Arts
- Grade Level: 5th Grade
- Understand different types of fiction.
- Begin reading and analyze elements of "Journey" by Patricia MacLachlan.
- Develop questioning skills to understand a story's characters, setting, and plot.
- Engage in collaborative discussions about the reading material.
Materials Needed
- "Journey" by Patricia MacLachlan
- Reading Notebooks
- Sticky notes
- Appendix: "Types of Fiction" (visual display)
- Appendix: "Building the World of the Story" chart
Standards Alignment
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.1: Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.5.3: Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1: Engage effectively in collaborative discussions.
Lesson Plan
Introduction (5 minutes)
-
Hook: "Fiction is like a key that opens doors to new worlds." Engage students with a quick discussion about what they know about fiction.
-
Display "Types of Fiction": Present the Appendix that categorizes fiction and briefly introduce realistic fiction, historical fiction, and modern fairy tales.
-
Connection: Highlight that fiction aims to entertain and that they'll embark on a reading adventure with "Journey," a realistic fiction novel.
Interactive Read-Aloud (20 minutes)
Begin the Read (5 minutes)
- Reading Notebooks Setup: Direct students to start a new page titled "Read-Aloud: Journey."
- Discussion: Explain how realistic fiction mirrors real-life settings and conflicts but with made-up characters.
- Swiss Cheese Analogy: Explain that as we read, we’ll be filling in “holes” with information by questioning everything.
Chapter 1 (5 minutes)
- Read Aloud: Begin with the first page of "Journey," paying attention to the use of italics.
- Model Thinking: Wonder aloud about italicizing and time-frame context. What do italics indicate here?
- Characters Introduction: Introduce Grandpa, Grandma, Journey, and Cat. Jot these names on a sticky note for reference.
- Partner Talk: Have students discuss initial thoughts, observations about characters, and lingering questions.
Into Chapter 2 (5 minutes)
- Read Aloud: Continue reading until page 7.
- Model Thinking: Wonder aloud about the family problem and the letter from Journey's mom.
- Jot Down Notes: Students write questions and observations on sticky notes.
- Partner Interaction: Discuss what’s known so far and share wonderings about Journey's mom's absence.
Complete Chapter 3 (5 minutes)
- Continue Reading: Proceed to the end of Chapter 3.
- Pause for Discussion: At key points, stop and allow students to jot notes and discuss in pairs.
- Bedrooms Description: Remark on Journey’s living situation at the grandparents' house and add to the notes.
- Engage: Encourage a round of stop-and-jot for new questions arising.
Conclusion (5 minutes)
-
Character Charting: Display "Building the World of the Story" and fill in character insights, learned facts, and unresolved questions.
-
Class Discussion: Develop a class conversation reflecting on characters and plot to synthesize learning and wonderings. Encourage attentive listening and respectful response exchange.
-
Summary: Conclude by summarizing the discussion focus, "So it seems like we have mostly been talking about..."
-
Closure and Preview: Briefly mention that they will continue exploring the novel and learning more about fiction types.
Assessment
- Class Participation: Evaluate through observation of student collaboration and engagement.
- Reading Notebooks: Check for completeness and depth of student questioning and jotting.
Extensions
- Encourage students to brainstorm additional questions or predictions for future chapters.
- For homework, students might explore a different type of fiction and present a summary to the class next lesson.
By crafting this interactive and collaborative exploration of fiction, teachers will engage students using imaginative strategies while deepening their comprehension skills.
Create Your Own AI Lesson Plan
Join thousands of teachers using Kuraplan AI to create personalized lesson plans that align with Aligned with Common Core State Standards in minutes, not hours.
Created with Kuraplan AI
🌟 Trusted by 1000+ Schools
Join educators across United States