Mini-Lesson

Genre Study

Mini-Lesson: Grades 4-6

Objective: Students will distinguish between fantasy and realistic fiction.

1. Ask students to raise a hand if they are familiar with the Inheritance series. Have volunteers share what they know about the books. Tell students that they will be reading a TFK interview with the author of the series, Christopher Paolini.

2. Explain that books can be categorized by genre, or kind. Remind students that a fiction story is not a true story. Certain parts of a fiction story may be based on real events, but other parts come from the imagination of the writer. Write the terms realistic fiction and fantasy on the board. Discuss these two types of fiction. (A realistic fiction story could happen in real life. A fantasy has elements of real life, but also elements of magic. ) Make a class list of possible characteristics of a fantasy story (time travel, magical spells, superpowers, talking animals, imaginary creatures).

3. Pass out copies of the timeforkids.com story, A Book for Fantasy Fans. As students read the interview, have them keep track of clues about the genre of the Christopher Paolini's books. Then, discuss students' findings. Ask: What makes the fantasy genre interesting? What other books and movies fall under the genre of fantasy?

As a follow-up activity, challenge students to plan and write their own fantasy story.