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Know Your Literature Genres

Main Core Tie

Secondary Library Media (6-12)
Strand 1: Standard 1:

Additional Core Ties

English Language Arts Grade 7
Reading: Literature Standard 10

English Language Arts Grade 7
Writing Standard 6

English Language Arts Grade 7
Writing Standard 10

English Language Arts Grade 8
Reading: Literature Standard 10

English Language Arts Grade 8
Writing Standard 6

English Language Arts Grade 8
Writing Standard 10

Time Frame

2 class periods of 70 minutes each

Life Skills

  • Aesthetics
  • Thinking & Reasoning
  • Communication

Authors

YVONNE BUHLER
BEATRICE CARLSON
Shay Woodruff-Walton

Summary

The various genres and subgenres are presented to the students using a video and presentation, and use of examples of several fiction, non-fiction, and poetry books. Then, using a mixed-genre set of books, and the notes they took during the presentation, students will identify the genres represented in each set.

After students finish reading a book independently, they will use what they learned from the presentation to identify the book's genre in their book reviews for their ELA teacher.


Materials

  • Genres Fast Worksheet
  • Genre/SubGenre Bookmark
  • Genre Flipbook
  • Genre Notes Answer Key
  • ILessonLady. "Literature Genres." YouTube. YouTube, 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 28 June 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsJko91QjgE.
  • PP Classic Literature
  • PP Traditional Literature
  • Genre Quiz


Background for Teachers

We have found that students gravitate to a familiar genre, excluding others. We feel it is important for them to expand their schema, and accomplish this by requiring them to read multiple genres each term. We have the data to show improved reading level and comprehension as a result of increasing the amount of reading they do.

Prior to the first lesson, gather examples of each genre, creating a Box for each group of students. (We planned on 36 students, so that is 9 boxes). Number each box, making a spread sheet of each title and genre and box( for grading)


Instructional Procedures

Students gather, Librarian hands out the Genre work booklet, Begin the video ILessonLady. "Literature Genres." YouTube.

  • NOTE: pause video after each presentation so that students may write the necessary information.

Present PowerPoints for Classic and Traditional Literature.

Instructor models how to identify the genre of a book, complete with evidence and characteristics of the genre found in each book.

Play matching activity (with examples from "the Genre Jar") with genre types on the board. Students take turns drawing out a brief book summary and, in small groups, discuss and decide which genre(s) it belongs to. Then present their decision to the whole class.

Create groups of 4 students. Then, using a mixed-genre set of books, and the notes they took during the presentation, students will identify the genres represented in each set, give evidence and the characteristic of that genre which applies to each book.


Strategies for Diverse Learners

For those who need more support:

  • Present the students with a bookmark identifying the genres, then present information via the video.
  • The students create a flip book with the descriptions of each genre.
  • Utilize the matching game.
  • Present each genre individually, instead of mixing genres in the boxes.
  • Then create a genre bingo for review

For more advanced students:

  • Administer a quiz where the students have to identify genres for books they are given.


Assessment Plan

Each box collection has only one set of correct answers (you select the books). Grade each work booklet for correct genre identification, identifying genre characteristics and finding the evidence from book summary.

ELA teachers grade and give points for the book reviews students write for each book they complete


Bibliography

Fink, Lisa Storm. "Genre Study: A Collaborative Approach." Readwritethink.org. NCTE, Jan. 2004. Web. "Genre Jar Makeover." Pencilsbooksanddirtylooks".AiImee, 2012. Web. 29 June 2016. http://www.pencilsbooksanddirtylooks.com/2014/10/genre-jar-makeover.html

ILessonLady. "Literature Genres." YouTube. YouTube, 19 Sept. 2012. Web. 28 June 2016. Miller, Donalyn The Book Whisperer: Awakening the Inner Reader in Every Child, (ISBN 860-1406321618)


Created: 09/08/2016
Updated: 02/05/2018
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