Science Fiction or Science Fact Unit

8/3/2019 Science Fiction or Science Fact Unit

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Bobbie Keenan - Reading Enrichment Unit

Title: Science Fiction Reading Enrichment Subject: Language Arts Grade: 6

Topic: Science Fiction or Science Fact Time Frame: 1 week (5 class periods)

Stage 1 - Desired Results

Understandings: Real Science and Science Fiction are

closely related.

Some past science fiction is very close to

what we are experiencing today.

It's possible that current science fiction

works could be a predictor or warning of

what is to come.

Science Fiction can inspire people to

invent and create technology they have

read about in novels.

Essential Questions: What is Science Fiction?

How is Science Fiction different from

Fantasy and other genres that you have

covered?

Has science fiction accurately predicted

how we currently live

Is Science Fiction related to our future?

What affects have science fiction had on

technological advances?

How can science fiction predict or even

warn us of things to come?

Can Science Fiction cause readers to

change their current behaviors.

Students will know...

The elements of science fiction

Science fiction and factual science are

closely related.

Authors of Science Fiction.

How to Blog.

How to respond to a Blog.

Science fiction can be prophetic.

Science fiction can make us re-examine

our current behaviors.

Students will be able to...

Identify the characteristics of Science

Fiction

Identify various authors of science fiction

and their work.

Discuss the ramifications of science fiction

and its impact on society.

Write a science fiction short story.

Be able to complete a Webquest.

Blog and respond to blog entries.

Stage 2 - Assessment Evidence

Performance Tasks:

Students will participate in class

discussions about their knowledge of

science fiction and how elements of

science fiction actually affect their

everyday lives.

Students will write a short science fiction

story in journal form.

Students will research science fiction

writers of the last 100+ years.

Students will complete a webquest that

guide them through three activities

designed to further their understanding of

the science fiction genre.

Students will complete and assignment

Books, Movies, TV, and Video Game Form.

Planet Quest: Science Fiction or Science

Fact Quiz.

Webquest Rubric

"All Summer and a Day" worksheet.




focusing on Ray Bradbury's short story,

"All Summer and a Day." The story is set in

a science fiction environment, but the

theme of the story is relevant to issues

what students deal with daily.

Stage 3 - Learning Plan

Unit Outline

Day 1

Hook: Introduce the Science Fiction genre by going over the characteristics of Science Fiction via a Prezi.

The students will complete a handout that will assess what they think Science Fiction is. Read "The Fun

They Had" by Isaac Asminov. Once the story is read, I will ask the class what it is about this story that

they think makes it Science Fiction? As a class, we will discuss classrooms of today and how 50 years

ago, the classrooms they are in every day would be considered something out of a Science Fiction novel.Discuss what to expect for the rest of the week's lessons.

Materials: "The Fun They Had" by Isaac Asminov, Science Fiction Assessment Handout, White board,

laptop, Science Fiction Characteristics Prezi

Timing: 50 minutes

Procedure

1. Go over the characteristics of Science Fiction Prezi.

2. Ask class what science fiction media that have experienced, and have them complete an assessmenthandout.

3. Read "The Fun They Had" by Isaac Asminov. Why would this story be considered Science Fiction,

especially since it doesn't seem so out of the ordinary. Then tell them when the story was first

published.

4. Discuss the classrooms of today and how they compare to classrooms of the past, and tie it back into

the Asminov story.

5. Briefly discuss what to expect for the rest of the week's lessons.

Assessment

Use the information the students provide on the Science Fiction Assessment Handout to determine

what they know about Science Fiction, and how I need to possibly adjust the lessons for the rest of the

week.

Day 2 & 3

This unit will introduce students to the genre of Science Fiction as a way to encourage students to

further expand their reading selections. Using the combination of a Webquest and Pathfinder on the

second and third day, students will explore (research) science fiction writers and record their findings in




a Word Document. They will also write their own science fiction story in blog format and respond to

one of their classmate's blog entries as well.

Materials: White board, Internet access (media center computer lab), Science Fiction or Science Fact

Webquest, and the Angel Blog.

Timing: (2) 50 minute class sessions.

Procedure

1. After having the students locate the Science Fact or Science Fiction Webquest, go through the steps

of the Webquest and what they are required to do via the Whiteboard.

2. Answer any questions students may have throughout the two classes concerning the tasks they are

required to complete.

3. Anything they have not completed by the end of the third class will be assigned for homework.

Assessment

Field any questions students have as they make their way through the Webquest. Make sure students

are on the right track by observing their individual progress throughout the class period. The Webquest

rubric will be used to guide the students through their tasks and assess the tasks after they have been

completed by the students.

Day 4

Purpose and Objectives

On the fourth day, students will read the short story "All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury. They will

then complete a writing assignment that requires them pick out simple facts from the story, as well as

writing in depth about the theme of the story and how it relates to their own experiences. They will get

and understanding of how Science Fiction writers combine science fiction with realistic elements that

provides readers with insight into human behaviors.

Materials: Ray Bradbury's short story, "All Summer in a Day," "All Summer in a Day" Handout, pencils,

and their journals. This will be a group assignment.

Procedure

1. Read to the class, "All Summer in a Day."

2. Have the students get into their assigned pairs.

3. Handout the Form and have them re-read the story on their own, and have them answer all the

questions on the handout.

4. If time allows, we further discuss the theme of the short story and how it impacted them.

Assessment




As a class, we will go over their writing exercise.

Day 5 On the fifth and final day, we will discuss current works of science fiction and what that might

mean for our future.

Materials: Rod Serling's Twilight Zones Graphic Novel: The Midnight Zone, The Hunger Games, Wrinkle

in Time, The Giver, Little Brother, The Tripod Series, Z is for Zachariah, Life As We Knew It, and other

works.

Procedure

1. Discuss what we learned this week. What makes Science Fiction, Science Fiction?

2. Introduce them to modern science fiction novels that can be found in the LMMS Media Center.

3. Discuss what problems related to science and technology that are currently being highlighted in

today's science fiction novels. Should we be concerned? Could we eventually find ourselves living insome of the environments and situations being predicted by modern science fiction writers?

4. Ask if anyone plans to check out any of the books we've discussed this week.

Resources

http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=115324

http://sciencefictionpathfinder.pbworks.com/w/page/46357552/FrontPage

http://prezi.com/-qssmv0fzce4/characteristics-of-science-fiction/

http://www.monroe.k12.mi.us/files/5775/Microsoft%2520Word%2520-

%2520science%2520fiction%2520unit%2520-%2520%25205th%2520grade.pdf

http://www.sff.net/people/james.van.pelt/teenfinity/SFstory.htm

http://www.wssb.org/content/Classrooms/tate/content/freshman/All%20Summer%20In%20a%20Day/s

tory.htm

http://www.wssb.wa.gov/content/Classrooms/tate/content/freshman/All%20Summer%20In%20a%20D

ay/assignment_1.htm







http://www.monroe.k12.mi.us/files/5775/Microsoft%2520Word%2520-%2520science%2520fiction%2520unit%2520-%2520%25205th%2520grade.pdf





http://www.wssb.org/content/Classrooms/tate/content/freshman/All%20Summer%20In%20a%20Day/story.htm



http://www.wssb.wa.gov/content/Classrooms/tate/content/freshman/All%20Summer%20In%20a%20Day/assignment_1.htm













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Science Fiction or Science Fact Unit