English Lesson 1   ---  Fiction, Nonfiction, Poems, and Drama

Activity 1

Using four index cards students write Fiction, Nonfiction, Poems, and Drama in large letters, one word for each card across the fronts of the cards. On the back of the cards have students write the definitions below:

Fiction - writing that is a work of the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact

Nonfiction - writing based upon facts and reality

Poetry -  writing in musical form 

Drama - writing having dialogue (conversation) or pantomime (gesturing without speech)

Discuss the meanings of each form of text.

Activity 2

Name a type of writing. Have students determine which form of text the type of writing would best be categorized, then hold up the correct word card to show the answer.

Example

Teacher says short stories, and students hold up the card that says fiction.

Activity 3

Tell students that while reading The Dragonslayers they will also be learning more about poetry. The reason poetry was paired with a book that is a mostly a fairy tale, is that Bruce Coville first wrote The Dragonslayers as a musical play for his fourth grade students to perform. He wrote 12 songs for the musical. Songs are simply poems put to music.

While reading The Dragonslayers the class will listen to and read the words to each song. Students will cover the following skills during this unit.