Your next great Lessn starts here.

Welcome to Fantasy Worlds! – Today’s adventure: our imaginations! – Exploring the fantasy genre – Fantasy stories have elements that are not real. – Magical creatures and lands – Think of unicorns, dragons, and fairy-tale kingdoms! – Fantasy in stories – We read about things that we can only imagine. | This slide introduces first graders to the exciting genre of fantasy, which will spark their imagination and creativity. Begin by explaining that fantasy involves stories that take us on adventures to places we’ve never been, with creatures we’ve never seen. Use examples like unicorns and dragons to make it relatable. Emphasize that in fantasy, anything is possible, and it’s all about the fun of imagining and asking ‘what if?’ Encourage the children to think of their favorite fantasy characters or to imagine their own. The goal is to get them excited about reading and to understand that through books, they can explore limitless worlds.

Fantasy Story Characters – Discover fantasy characters – Dragons: Fire-breathing wonders – Imagine a dragon that can fly and protect treasures – Fairies: Tiny, magical friends – Fairies often have wings and can do magic – Wizards: Wise and powerful – Wizards use spells and know many secrets | This slide introduces students to the magical world of fantasy characters, which they will encounter in the story. Emphasize the unique qualities that make these characters special and encourage the children to use their imagination. Ask the students if they have seen these characters in any other stories or movies to make connections with their prior knowledge. During the read-along, point out these characters and pause to discuss their actions and importance in the story. This will help students to engage with the text and enhance their understanding of the fantasy genre.

Setting the Scene in Fantasy Stories – Fantasy worlds are magical – Trees talk and rivers sing – Like in the stories where trees whisper secrets and rivers carry melodies – Imagine your own magical place – What would be in your magical world? Would your trees have faces? – Share your ideas with the class | This slide introduces students to the concept of setting in fantasy literature, emphasizing the magical elements that make these stories special. Encourage the children to use their imagination to envision a world beyond the ordinary, where inanimate objects come to life and nature interacts with characters. Ask them to think about their own version of a magical place, prompting them with questions about what the trees and rivers in their world might do or say. This exercise not only sparks creativity but also helps them understand the setting of a fantasy story. In the next class, provide an opportunity for the students to share their magical worlds, fostering a collaborative and imaginative learning environment.

Read Along: ‘The Magic Quest’ – Follow along as I read aloud – Imagine being in the story – Think of yourself as a hero in the adventure – Notice the pictures closely – Pictures help tell the story and spark imagination – Listen for new fantasy words – Words like ‘wizard’, ‘dragon’, ‘castle’ | This slide is for a read-along activity where the teacher will read ‘The Magic Quest’ to the class. Encourage the students to actively listen and follow along in their books. Ask them to use their imagination to visualize themselves within the story, enhancing their engagement and comprehension. Highlight the importance of the illustrations in understanding the story. Introduce new fantasy vocabulary and characters, and explain their meanings in a simple way. After reading, discuss the new words and ask students to describe the characters using those words. This activity aims to develop listening skills, vocabulary, and a love for reading.

Exploring Fantasy: Understanding the Story – Share your favorite story part – Discuss your favorite character – Was it the brave knight, the wise wizard, or maybe the talking animals? – Recall a magical event – Like a flying carpet ride or a talking tree – Express why it was special | This slide aims to engage first-grade students in a discussion about the fantasy story they read along with. Encourage them to think about their favorite part of the story and why it stood out to them. Ask them to describe their favorite character and what traits made that character special. Highlight the importance of imagination in fantasy stories by discussing magical events that captured their attention. The teacher should facilitate a conversation where each student has a chance to speak and share their thoughts, fostering a love for reading and storytelling.

Create Your Fantasy Character – Time to be creative! – Draw your fantasy character – Use colors and shapes to bring your character to life – Name your character – What’s a fun, magical name? – Choose a magical power – Can your character fly or become invisible? | This slide is designed to spark the imagination of first-grade students by allowing them to create their own fantasy character. Encourage them to think outside the box and draw something unique, using a variety of colors and shapes. They should also come up with a special name for their character that reflects its personality or abilities. When choosing a magical power, guide them to think about what they find exciting or interesting, such as the ability to fly, become invisible, or control elements like water or fire. Provide examples to inspire them. For the next class, prepare to have each student present their character and describe its special power, fostering a fun and interactive storytelling environment.

Share Your Magical Characters – Present your fantasy character – Describe their adventures – Did they explore forests or fly in the sky? – Explain their magical powers – Can they become invisible or control elements? – Discuss how they use their powers – How do they solve problems with their powers? | This slide is for a class activity where students will share the fantasy characters they’ve created. Encourage them to be descriptive and imaginative, detailing the character’s adventures and the magical abilities they possess. Ask them to think about how their character uses these powers to overcome challenges or help others in their story. Provide guidance on how to present their ideas clearly and confidently. For the teacher, prepare to facilitate the sharing process, ensuring each student has a chance to speak and engage with their peers’ stories. Offer prompts to help them elaborate if they’re shy or unsure.

Magical Freeze Dance Activity – Play freeze dance with magic – Freeze as a fantasy character – Pose like a dragon, unicorn, or wizard – Use your imagination – Have fun dancing! | This class activity is designed to combine physical movement with creative imagination. Play some lively music and let the children dance around freely. When the music stops, they should ‘freeze’ in a pose that represents a character from a fantasy story, such as a dragon, unicorn, or wizard. This activity encourages children to think creatively about the characters they’ve read about or heard in stories and express that through physical movement. It’s also a great way for them to burn off some energy and have fun! For the teacher: Have a list of fantasy characters in case some children need ideas, ensure the room is safe for dancing, and be prepared to join in the fun!