Thanks to all who responded! Original question:
This trimester I am teaching a genre study for kinders on "fantasy". For
those of you better versed in kindergarten, please help! I would love
titles of fantasy stories appropriate for this age group. Also, any
lessons/ activities/ worksheets you have would be much appreciated. The K
teachers would also like me to tie in story elements if possible. I'll post
a HIT if interest is expressed.
Here's the HIT:
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judy Barrett
Tuesday by David Weisner
The Party by David McPhail
You’ve Got Dragons by Kathryn Cave
Liberty’s Journey by Kelly DiPucchio
How I Became a Pirate by David Shannon
The Unicorn and the Moon by Tomie DePaola
Freefall by David Weisner
I would love if you would post a hit on LM_Net on your kinder fantasy genre
study! That sounds like such a cool unit. How about the Shannon book
"Alice the fairy?" I know it is not fantasy but it could be a good way to
introduce the unit... showing that fantasy is like pretending like Alice
does... she pretends she is a fairy! Fairies are fantasy creatures. Just
a thought. In the meantime have fun... that is the best part of being a
librarian!
Since personification is a characteristic of fantasy, how about a book like
_Diary of a Wombat_ or the _Tub People_? I have used them both and they are
great.
Dr. Seuss comes up as fantasy on my OPAC.
_Not in the House, Newton_. It works well with _Harold and the Purple
Crayon_. (In both books, the child's drawings come to life). _Jumanji_
also comes to mind.
Well one of my (and probably others) favorite books of all times for any
age, any group is the virtually wordless book _Tuesday_ by David Wiesner. I
am having a special ed group of 1st&2nd write words and dialog to it. First
I share the book, asking them what is happening in the story and what
charachters might be thinking and saying.
Hm-m-m... I assume you are reading to the kinders, then doing an activity.
How about a book on unicorns such as Repchuk's _The Magic Unicorn_? There
is also Pilkey's dragon series: _Dragon Gets By, Dragon's Fat Cat_ are two
of the titles. The dragon character talks, there are issues of friendship
and kindness.
Might be easiest to use familiar fairytales for the fantasy element.
Hope that you get some good responses! This website might be
useful, too... http://www.tooter4kids.com/classroom/FairyTaleUnit.htm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for all the suggestions! Here are a few lessons, though I’m not
finished planning the unit yet...
(Introduction): What is fantasy? Today we will explore that question. I
will read excerpts from several books and students will decide if they are
fantasy or reality. We will also look at books with fantasy creatures like
unicorns and dragons. Then, students will go back to the tables and
complete the Fantasy/Reality magic mirrors. In this activity, students draw
a picture of themselves as a fantasy and a reality. Example: Fantasy=
princess, Reality= student. If time allows, we will cut out the circles and
students will attach them to popsicle sticks to create 2-sided mirrors.
Then, these can be used in the classroom each time you read a book.
Students can take out their magic mirrors use it to give a non-verbal signal
on reality vs. fantasy.
Harold’s Circus (setting): We will focus on setting today. First, I will
read Harold’s Circus. Students will discuss what types of things Harold did
at the circus. We will brainstorm other settings (the zoo, the mall, the
park, school, etc.) Then, students will go back to the tables and choose
ONE color crayon. They will illustrate and label their setting. In
addition, they will draw a picture of themselves in this setting.
How I Became A Pirate (character): Today we will focus on characters in a
book. I will read How I Became a Pirate, and we’ll make a list of things we
know about pirates from the story. We’ll discuss the things in the story
that are reality and fantasy. Then, students will go back to their tables
and add features to a pirate picture. They will label it with things about
pirates (green teeth, etc.) This will help them understand the idea of
developing characters.
The Unicorn and the Moon (problem/solution): One of the major elements of a
story is a problem and the solution. Today we will read The Unicorn and the
Moon. As we read it, students will use movement to help with comprehension.
After reading, we will discuss the problem in the story and the solution.
We will then fill out a SWBS graphic organizer together: (SWBS= Somebody-
Wanted- But- So). Students will go back to the tables and browse fantasy
titles while waiting to check out books.
~Carrie
Carrie R. Higgins, Library Media Specialist
Wissahickon Charter School
Philadelphia, PA
carriergreen@hotmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
* LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
* LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
* EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/sub/
* LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home