Article
Art by Kristina Kister
Background Builder,

What Is a Fantasy Story?

You will read a fantasy story. Here are four things you’ll find in most fantasies. 

By Laine Falk
From the October/November 2024 Issue

Learning Objective: Give students background knowledge about the genre of fantasy before they read this issue’s fiction piece, “Jewel of the Sand Dragon.”

Lexile® measure: 480L
Featured Skill: Vocabulary, Main Idea,
Vocabulary: characters, adventure, journey
Topic: English Language Arts,
Common Core Standards
  • ELA Focus
    Genres
  • Common Core Standards
    RI.2.1 Key details RI.2.4 Vocabulary RI.2.5 Nonfiction text features RI.2.7 Use visuals RI.2.9 Compare two texts on a similar topic RI.2.10 Read grade-2-appropriate informational text SL.2 Participate in conversations about grade-2 texts
TEKS Standards
  • English Language Arts
    (9) Multiple genres: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking using multiple texts--genres. The student recognizes and analyzes genre-specific characteristics, structures, and purposes within and across increasingly complex traditional, contemporary, classical, and diverse texts. The student is expected to: (A) demonstrate knowledge of distinguishing characteristics of well-known children’s literature such as folktales, fables, and fairy tales

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1. Magic

Art by Kristina Kister
 

In fantasy stories, characters have magical powers. They may use a wand to cast magic spells. They may be able to fly. They may be able to talk to animals. 

2. Special Setting

Art by Kristina Kister
 

A fantasy story is often set in a different world than ours. It may be a magical world. You can often find a castle in fantasy stories too. 

3. Magical Creatures

Art by Kristina Kister
 

A fantasy world has magical creatures like unicorns, elves, and dragons. It may have tiny pixies or huge giants. 

4. An Adventure

Art by Kristina Kister

"I must get the magic gem!"

The heroes of the story have an adventure. They may go on a journey, or trip. They often have to search for something or help someone else. 

Slideshows (1)
Activities (4)
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (4) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

Implementation

Small group; whole group; independent reading

Pairings and Text Connections

In this issue, these texts all go with the fantasy theme:

 

Before-Reading Resources

  • Text Preview Bookmarks
    (10 minutes) Kids can cut out the nonfiction bookmark and use it to preview the text.

Suggested Reading Focus

Comprehension, nonfiction text features (30 minutes)

  • This article gives students background knowledge that will help them better understand this issue’s fiction piece, “Jewel of the Sand Dragon,” on page 14.

After-Reading Skills Practice

(15 minutes)

  • Quiz: Comprehension check
  • Fantasy Checklist: Students can use what they learned in the Background Builder to evaluate the elements of a fantasy story in “Jewel of the Sand Dragon.”
  • Fantasy Chart: Compare themed texts in the issue.

Text-to-Speech