Fantasy, Fairy Tales, and Fables
Warren Township Schools
A group of Warren Middle School (WMS) teachers pooled their creative talents and launched a new Language Arts unit for grade six students in March. Gina Banks, Cynthia Cassidy, Anna Roga, Brenda Sasso, Lindsey Schreck, and Myranda Shimko were excited to bring Fantasy, Fairy Tales, and Fables to the WMS students.
For three days, 6th-grade students rotated through stations set up in the library, learning different storytelling genres under the umbrella of Fantasy, including Fractured Fairy Tales, Folktales, Greek Mythology, Fables, and Pourquois [por-kwas] (tales told to explain why certain events happened).
On the third day, the students could admire fantasy stories created by previous students and published authors. Additionally, each grade six student was able to tap into their artistic talents to illustrate a character or setting they may use in a future fantasy story. Finally, the students checked out a fantasy book from the library to give them creative inspiration.
6th grade Language Arts teacher Gina Banks was excited about the project. “The students loved changing their schedule and visiting the library for three days. They had a crash course in the world of fantasy.”
Once the students completed each station in the library, they returned to the classroom and generated ideas for fairy tales and pourquois. Their final product will include written work and illustrations.
Shimko, Library Media Specialist, was thrilled to welcome this event into the library. “I’m so happy that the 6th-grade ELA teachers are encouraging their students to explore the world of fantasy. Using our imagination to explain the world around us promotes creativity and wonder.”
Cassidy, Roga, Sasso, and Schreck enjoyed combining their classes and witnessing the students’ collaborative and creative energy.
