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I recently taught a unit on writing science fiction. Here are my lesson plans--adapt and enjoy!
We started by writing a list on the board of all the science fictions students could recall. We made a t-chart and compared science fiction to fantasy. Many of the students could not discern the difference.
The assignment was as follows:
Reading and Writing Science Fiction
- Analyze a work of science fiction, using a story map.
Choose either a movie you have seen or a story obtained in class. Due Oct. 7-8.
- Write a persuasive essay using your story map. Review the story or movie you mapped, and persuade readers to view it or skip it. Support your opinions with examples from the work. Due Oct. 14-15.
- Keep a "word bank" using note cards which have Latin or Greek root words on one side and derivative words from the root on the other side. By Oct. 28-29, submit twenty cards for grading.
- Plan to write a sci-fi story, beginning with a story map
Be sure to include a problem, solution, scientific explanation with two references, and five vocabulary words from the word wall. Story map is due Oct. 14-15. Three-part editing required. Final typed story due Oct. 28-29.
- Plan to make your story into a movie.
Use a Venn diagram to show what will stay the same and what will change when turning writing into a visual presentation. Due Nov. 4-5.
I worked toward the following goals in Alief ISD’s pacing guides for 8th grade:
6 + 1 Traits: ideas, content, organization, word choice, sentence fluency
The science fiction lesson plan addresses these competencies. The pacing guide is very specific, and the objectives above are for the 2nd nine weeks. I wanted to build on the work that the literature teacher had done in previous lessons in which they read a Ray Bradbury story and had to identify elements and theme.
I can explain these objectives.
Pre-write: brainstorming, web, T-chart, Venn Diagram
The prewriting techniques enable students to organize ideas toward composing a cohesive piece of work. For instance, a story map with all necessary elements can be created before the student launches into the first paragraph.
Using a T-chart: This is a great planning method requiring no special worksheets. Students simply take a regular sheet of notebook paper and draw a "T." Then they compare and contrast two ideas, stories, characters, or segments. This can be used to analyze a story or two plan two different ways to write a story.
Venn Diagram—used to show how two ideas intersect. This technique clarifies concepts. It visually demonstrates similarities and differences. I had students create a Venn Diagram in order to describe how they would write differently if they were writing a similar story into a novel or screenplay for a movie. This helped them to perceive writing for a different audience and purpose.
Revise: develop ideas through sensory, descriptive, supporting details and evidence; use effective transitions; revise for coherence
This was one of the most arduous exercises. Eight-graders tend to be satisfied with the first things they put to paper. We worked on writing the beginning of a story many different ways. We worked on transition sentences and multiple endings. Students also evaluated their science fiction stories for science content, as one requirement was making the story somewhat believable. They were required, for instance, to look up articles about sharks, describing the sea life in great detail, if their stories contained killer sharks.
Writing Purpose: to persuade, to respond to literature (expository)
This objective has many applications. Students need to be able to evaluate works of literature in terms of understanding theme, mood, tone; identifying character, plot, and theme. I used selections from science fiction in order to engage their imaginations and help them to compare and contrast.
Science Fiction Pre-Test
In literature, what is a theme?
Can a work of literature have more than one theme?
What are some common themes in science fiction?
Define mood in literature.
Define tone in literature.
How would you describe the mood in Ray Bradbury’s "There Will Come Soft Rains" (Literature book, p. 214).
What is the theme of this story?
Science Fiction Test
What is a theme in literature?
- the feature song in a play or movie
- the main idea in a work
- the notion that technology is bad
What are some common themes in science fiction? Circle all that are often associated with this genre. Cross out those that are not usually associated with science fiction:
- technology can be more human than people
- nature gets out of control
- supernatural forces control our destiny
- good versus evil
- time travel
- space travel
- aliens are coming
- every person will find true love
Describe mood in literature. Circle all that apply.
- The author sets the mood by carefully choosing adjectives and verbs.
- The author may use dialect and slang to set mood.
- The book cover and illustrations set the mood.
- Mood can change in the course of a book or story.
Define tone in literature.
- Tone is how the author relates to the audience and the subject.
- Tone is whether the author is writing about the past or the future.
- Tone describes the setting and the time frame.
Correct any spelling or grammar errors you find in the sentences below:
My Uncle james he was hear yesterday, but he flew back to Boston tonite.
We hope that the astros win. he been cheering for the Red Sox.
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