Science Fiction and Fantasy
Genre Study
As if learning science wasn't fun and engaging enough, science fiction and fantasy books take science education to a whole other level. Science fiction is a genre where the stories take place in an imagined future that could potentially come true with the right amount of science and technology advancements. They are usually set in the future, in space, on a different world, or in a different universe or dimension. Science fiction stories tend to have themes revolving the idea of whether technology is good or evil. These stories explore the ideas of what might happen if technology overtook the whole world.
Fantasy is not a genre of it's own, but rather a broader subject that is made up of genres. Genres such as science fiction and animal fantasy fall under the category of fantasy. Fantasy generally means a fiction book with strange or out-of-this-world characters. It may include magic or events that are unexplainable. Science Fiction and fantasy texts can be used in the classroom to help encourage students to read and use their imaginations. Many students find these textbooks to be fun to read and engaging.
Awards
Authors
Genre Resources
Teaching Tools
Books I Recommend
Feed
Reference information for accessing the text (APA Citation): Anderson, M. (2002). Feed. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.
Grade level span where the book would be considered “complex text.”: 7-8
Grade level span for use as a class read aloud: 5-6
Major themes addressed in the book: Teen-life. Love. Media. Technology. Future. Disease. Death.
Qualities of the writing that are worthy of note: Chapter book. Los Angeles Times Book Prize Winner. National Book Award Finalist.
Connections to authentic local, national, or global issues: National issue of media pressuring us to buy things and possiblity of technology being used against us.
Facets of the book that may be difficult for students and require support: Language and deep concepts may be difficult for some students. This book is rated guantiatively at a 5-6 grade level, but themes may be too mature for them.
Support that may be needed by students because of the difficult components of the book: Select specific words from the text and do vocabulary lessons on them. Use this book only with students you believe can handle the maturity level of the content.
Commander Toad and the Voyage Home
Reference information for accessing the text (APA Citation): Yolen, J., & Degen, B. (1998). Commander Toad and the voyage home. New York: Putnam & Grosset..
Grade level span where the book would be considered “complex text.”: 1-2
Grade level span for use as a class read aloud: K-1
Major themes addressed in the book: Space. Planets. Meaning of home.
Qualities of the writing that are worthy of note: Humorous. Pictures aid in comprehension. Beginner chapter book. Part of a series.
Connections to authentic local, national, or global issues: Global issues about the Planet Earth. Local/National issues of homeless people who don't have places to live.
Facets of the book that may be difficult for students and require support: Some tier III words from science concepts may be difficult for students.
Support that may be needed by students because of the difficult components of the book: Use this book alongside a science unit about space and planets. Focus on the terminology in order to help students better comprehend this book.
