Here is the list of responses so far to my request for help with genre lessons.
Several people asked me to post the responses I received.
Thanks to everyone who answered me. I promise in the future to try and use the
correct terms. Target for questions and Hit for responses.
Joyce Morris
Librarian/ Wallace A. Smith Elementary
Chattanooga, TN
Last year with my 4th grade classes we played Genre Bingo. I got the idea from
Stretchy Library Lessons. We started with a blank bingo sheet, and I booktalked
different books from the same genre. Then the kids would fill in a square with
that genre label (Adventure, Poetry, Historical Fiction, etc.) We did this for
2-3 classes, and then the following class we played bingo. I didn't call out the
genre, I simply booktalked a book and they had to raise their hand and tell the
whole class what genre I was reading from. If they were right we went on, if
they were mistaken, I'd select another student to announce what genre was being
crossed off.
Hope that helps. The kids really liked it, and I think they "got" the concept of
genres.
--
Gail Brubaker, Librarian
srvca.library@comcast.net
San Ramon Valley Christian Academy
Danville, CA - www.srvca.org
One thing I did with the entire school was have a "genre of the month". I
gave the tachers little raffle tickets (I will attach) and when I child read
a book of that month's gener (poetry, etc.) they got a ticket to put in the
jar in the library. At the endof the month we drew 3 tickets to receive a
free paperback book. All the grades participated, although it was not
mandatory. I will likely do it again this year.
Beth Davis
Media Specialist
Model Elementary School
bethdavis@floydboe.net
Pat Miller has a great series of books called Stretchy Library Lessons and one of
them has a great lesson on genre. It includes a game called Genre Relays. My
students loved the game last year. If I remember correctly you can get Pat's books
from Highsmith. There, in fact, may be one whole book totally devoted to genre if I
remember correctly.
I also just recommend her books since you are new to elementary school. In the
interest of honesty, I must admit that I used to work with Pat and would consider
her a friend. But her books are super and I learned a great deal from her when we
worked at the same district. We've both moved on, but I still have my Stretchy
Library Lessons books and use many ideas from them every year.
Rachel Hinds
Librarian
Carleston Elementary
Pearland, Tx
I am doing a 4th grade genre lesson this year and found thinkfinity a valuable
resource. Check out this link for a variety of lessons:
http://thinkfinity.org/SearchResults.aspx?subject=languagearts&partner=all&resource_type=lessons&q=genre&grade=3,5&WebSiteArea=educator
Deborah Fink
I do this by naming some of the different fiction genres: mystery, sports,
humor, adventure, etc. Give them 4-5 characteristics of each on butcher
paper so I can flip through each one. Then ask if they can name some
examples of titles. Next I show them 3-4 examples of actual books in the
genre. We finish up with a matching worksheet with the genres listed down
one side of the paper and a characteristic of each listed down the other
side. Later on in the year, they will do a crossword puzzle that will use
some of the genres as a review.
How's it going? Just remember the first year is the worst. Next year will
feel like a breeze. Didn't you say you have a secretary?
Terry Depp
I don't have any exercises or worksheets. I can just tell you what I've done the
past couple years.
I sort of turn it into a combination genre lesson/booktalk lesson/OPAC lesson. I
start by handing out colored paper (landscape) divided into four to six columns
(could be cut into bookmarks) with genres and a visual clue at the top of each
column.
Then we talk a little about different kinds of books, movies, television shows, and
why we like some kinds better than others. I sort of guide the discussion into
well, when you know what you like, here is another way to find more books like that.
Then we start with a genre ... usually mystery because that seems to be a favorite.
I talk up (with the books or a ppt) three or four new (or perhaps just undiscovered
on our campus) titles and we discuss keywords that might help us find similar
stories in OPAC searches. The kids take notes ... nothing more than a short list of
possible keywords for each genre (and, if they see a title they really liked). We
then continue the same idea with historical fiction, realistic fiction, science
fiction/fantasy ... if you have time you can also discuss poetry, tall tales,
folklore, legends, etc. Sort of depends on the genres the teachers are looking to
cover.
I think the same idea could be used for non-fiction genres, though I've never tried
it. You'd talk about best places to find newspaper/magazine/encyclopedia articles,
biographies, how-to books, etc.
Here is a link to an old presentation I used a couple years ago (I don't know why
it is listed under math 8]).
Angie
One of the best ways to introduce genres is to focus on only two at a time,
itemizing the characteristics for each type. How are they similar? How are they
different? By focusing on just a few types at a time it makes it easier for all
students to learn, not just a few. For gifted kids, you might want to expand
upon this.
Having introduced types of genre to students, place students in groups. Each
group gets a stack of mixed books with at least one volume per genre. Have
students identify the various genres using the cover, title, blurb, etc. on the
books and then have groups present their findings. You might want to throw in a
verse novel as well and you will have an excellent point of entry to discuss
poetry.
Christine Rayl, Librarian
Bowie Elementary School
Grand Prairie ISD, TX
Here's a good site for definitions of genres.
http://www.kent.k12.wa.us/staff/SusannaTaylor/genre_definitions.htm
And this is a great one too: http://www.booknutsreadingclub.com/genrelist.html
Some lesson plans: (Collaborative
too!!!!) http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=270
http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=322
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/02/lp279-01.shtml
You may want to talk with the teachers a bit more about what they
want the students to learn/master and the reasoning behind
it. Perhaps this is one of those things that is being tested and the
teachers do not feel very comfortable with the concept and it is not
addressed in the language arts curriculum. Perhaps you can work on
developing a monthly emphasis on a genre/month. If you have
several sections of the grade, you may want to rotate your lessons
and the emphasis genre among the groups so that you have enough
fantasy or science fiction or biography etc. to check out to each
student. Thus Sept. might feature science fiction for 4A, biography
for 4B, fantasy for 4C, Historical fiction for 4D etc. It would mean
lots more work for you the first month, but then you'd just be
recycling the lesson plans for the next few months.
Anne Oelke
http://www.colquitt.k12.ga.us/cchsmedia/documents.htm
Feel free to download my power points on genre--they were originally created for
3rd grade but I've been using them at the high school also since I changed positons.
One fun and easy genre lesson I like is to put a cat (stuffed toy) in a bird cage.
After discussion of genres, I ask why the cat is in the cage---make it a mystery,
then ask a second child why is the cat in the cage--make it science fiction, etc.
The kids love it and it can be extended to a writing exercise. I am sure there are
other 'story starters' that can be put together to kick off the same lesson.
You might get more ideas from http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ Check out the LM NET
messages for new librarians section.
Cheryl Youse
Be that as it may I have found many wonderful lessons on www.thinkfinity.org If
you do a genre search for 3-5 grades you'll find over 100 posted lessons for
literature, book types, and writing experiences. Lots of great ideas for you to
teach and that classroom teacher as well. Good luck.
Lisa Hunt, NBCT 2005
School Library Media Specialist
Apple Creek Elementary
Moore, OK
lisa3moon@yahoo.com
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