Fourth Grade Launches Fantasy Book Clubs

The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop and Into the Land of the Unicorns by Bruce Coville are two books immersing fourth grade students into the fantasy genre. Each class is reading, discussing and writing about one of those books. The reading workshop begins with the teacher reading aloud a chapter from the book while students follow along in their own copy. Class discussion focuses on noticing elements the author employs to structure the book. Students have reflected on how characters in well written fantasy books are developed, including character traits and growth, and how they change and gain insight through the course of the book.  The author's intent is pondered as well. This type of discussion directly affects the students as they are writing long fiction stories in writing workshop. Students apply techniques that they see are effective in their own writing.