Ursula Le Guin: Short Stories Lesson Plan

What’s the Purpose of Sci-Fi?

Kind of Activity:

Group Work

Objective:

Students will explore the characteristics and merits of the genre.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.2

Structure:

This activity is set up like a modified jigsaw activity. To begin, write on the board: what is science fiction and fantasy? Have students offer their ideas in response to this question. Then, write on the board: what is the purpose of science fiction/fantasy? You might add supplemental questions like what does SFF add to the world? What can it do that other genres cannot?

Then, organize students into small groups of 3 or 4. Instruct them to work together to come up with a...