1. Characteristics of Fantasy
Mini Lesson: 1

2. Connection:
We have read a variety of literary and informational texts this year.
During this unit, we will focus on exploring a specific type of literary text, the genre of fantasy.
Today we will read a variety of texts to determine whether or not they have fantasy characteristics.

3. Teaching: FICTION VS FANTASY
For example “We croak and cry a mournful moan” would be placed under the COULD HAPPEN column because people can moan.
Not all fiction stories fit in the fantasy genre.
Read aloud the poem Sisters by Ken Nesbit to students.
Remember Fantasy elements:
Talking animals
Magical powers
Imaginary beings
Create a T Chart in your journal
We will identify events within the poem that fit into each category.
COULD HAPPEN
COULD NOT HAPPEN

4. Teaching: FANTASY VS FICTION
“People can crave solitude” would also be placed under the COULD HAPPEN because it is not unrealistic for people to want to be alone.
“A glance from us you’ll turn to stone” would be placed under the COULD NEVER HAPPEN column because this is an unrealistic event.
“Our hair is made of living snakes” would be placed under the COULD NEVER HAPPEN column because a person could never have hair made of snakes.

5. Guided Practice: “Somebody Has To”
Now we will work in small groups of 2-3.
Each group will read the poem “Somebody Has To” by Shel Silverstein
Read the text aloud as a group and then create a T chart.
On the chart paper create a T chart with one side labeled as COULD HAPPEN and the other side as COULD NEVER HAPPEN.
As a team, you will fill the chart with evidences from the text that fit in each category.

6. Link:
Today we learned that texts that are considered fantasy have events that could never happen as well as events that could possibly happen.
If a text contains events that could never happen, it automatically is part of the fantasy genre.