Scott Foresman Reading Street

SKILLS

STRATEGIES IN CONTEXT

Realism/Fantasy Monitor/Fix Up

Test

Selection Test:
Unit 1
Benchmark Test:
Unit 1

Reteach/
Review

TE: 3.1 41b, 115b, 125, 133, DI•52, DI•55; 3.2 183

PB: 3.1 3, 7, 33,
37, 46, 66

Practice

TE: 3.1 12–13,
86–87

Introduce/
Teach

Realism and Fantasy

	Distinguish a realistic story from fantasy.
	Employ a monitor and fix-up strategy to help distinguish a realistic story from fantasy.

INTRODUCE

Write the following sentence on the board: "Gina climbed into her spacesuit and then opened the door to the spaceship." Ask students to explain whether they think this sentence would be used in a realistic story or a fantasy. (Possible response: People really do go into space; this could happen.)

Have students read the information on
p. 86. Explain the following:

When confronted with an event in a story that seems odd or fantastic, stop for a moment to consider whether the unusual event is a sign that the story is a fantasy.
Use the Monitor and Fix Up strategy to help determine if a piece of writing is realistic.

Use Skill Transparency 4 to teach sequencing and monitoring and fixing up.

TEACH

SKILL Use the first paragraph to

model how to assess whether a story could really happen.

MODEL In the first paragraph, a boy named Jason sees a jar in a store with a sign on it. The sign asked for a guess of the number of pennies in the jar. Then Jason hears the sound "Psst." So far, nothing that has happened seems out of place. But before I conclude whether this is a realistic story or a fantasy, I think I will read on.

STRATEGY Discuss why the

event shown in the second paragraph might represent a good place to pause.

MODEL So far everything has made sense. But now the jar is talking to Jason. This seems strange given how real the story had been up to this point. That is why this may be a good place to stop and think about what I have read.

PRACTICE AND ASSESS

SKILL Have students discuss how

they may have changed their opinion of whether the story was realistic or fantastic as they continued to read.

STRATEGY Discuss with students

how they would use the Monitor and Fix Up strategy to determine that the story is a fantasy.

WRITE Have students complete steps

1 and 2 of the Write to Read activity. Have them work in pairs or small groups to exchange and compare their charts with each other.

then… use Practice Book 3.1, p. 33 to provide additional practice.

If… students are unable to
complete Write to Read on
p. 86,

Realism and Fantasy

Available as Skill Transparency 4

Strategy
Monitor
and Fix Up

Skill
Realism
and Fantasy

Realism
and Fantasy

A realistic story tells about something that
could happen.
A fantasy story could never happen.
Some stories are mostly realistic, but they
may include events that are fantasy.
As you read, ask yourself, "Could this really happen?"

The sign on the jar in the store
read, "Guess the number of pennies
and WIN them!" Jason looked at the
jar. He didn't know how to guess. He
started to walk away when he heard,
"Psst." Jason didn't see anyone. "Psst."

Skill So far,
this story seems realistic. This could really happen.

What's Not?

What's Real?

"Hey, kid," said the jar. The jar was talking,
and to him! It said, "Come closer, and I'll tell you
how many pennies are inside me."
Jason wrote down the number the jar
said and put it in the box for guesses. On
Saturday, he returned to hear his name
announced as the winner! Jason took the
jar home and dumped the pennies out
on his bed. "What am I going to do with
all these pennies?" he said to himself.

Strategy If you are
not sure about what
you have just read,
this would be a good
spot to stop and
reread.

Strategy: Monitor and Fix Up

Active readers check that they understand what they are reading. If not, they will do something about it. If you aren't sure that what you are reading is totally realistic, you can reread parts.

2. Add to the story. Write one
    realistic thing that could
    happen. Write one thing
    that could happen only in
    a fantasy.

1. Read "How Many Pennies?"
    Make a chart like the one above.
    Fill in the chart to show some
    events that are realistic and
    some that are fantasy.

"Psst." Jason looked around. He didn't see
anyone. "Psst. Hey, kid," said his bed. "Come
closer, and I'll tell you what you should buy
with these pennies."



	Close
	Access Content Beginning/Intermediate For a Picture It! lesson on realism and fantasy, see the ELL Teaching Guide, pp. 22–23. Advanced Before students read "How Many Pennies?" have volunteers identify different denominations of coins or paper money. Realism and Fantasy List familiar stories that students are likely to have read or encountered through movies or television. Have students explain why each story you list is either a realistic story or a fantasy. Practice Book 3.1 p. 33 with \| without Answers