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=Have a Debate=

Modern fantasy writers address many ethical issues and often focus on the search for justice. In //Hereville// Mirka and her stepmother argue over the right of a dragon to breathe fire and eat men. In //Hawksmaid// the issue of robbing the rich to help the poor is a central issue. The powers of magic also serve as a good springboard into the pitfalls of having special "endowments" or possessing objects like the "precious" ring in //Lord of the Rings.// Ask students to compete in a debate style format so that they can explore the both sides of the issue.

=Compare Real Animal Characteristics to Personified Animals=

The characters in novels like //Charlotte's Web// possess characteritics of real animals. They live in a barn, they eat animal feed designed for their kind and they have skills such as spinning a web and scavenging for food. Expand the debate activity by having one student dress up as a imaginary animal and the other dress up as a real animal and use research materials to examine which behaviors reflect the lifestyle of the actual animal.

=Use the Ten Point Model=

The Ten-Point Model for Teaching Controversial Issues Banned or Censored Books is a great way to engage students in meaningful conversations. The value of literature as a catalyst for examining issues that matter to children and to society in general is undeniable. Literature is a purposeful way to help students see both sides of an issue and to see other's perspectives from a fresh vantage point.

Kiefer, Barbara (2009-03-11). Charlotte Huck's Children's Literature: A Brief Guide (Page 146). Humanities & Social Science. Kindle Edition.

=Skype with Your Favorite Author=

[|Skype an Author] helps you plan a virtual visit with your favorite author.

From the [|Mixed-Up Files of Middle-Grade Authors] coordinators Skype tours of favorite middle-grade authors.

[|Kate Messener's Website]features a list of authors that are available to Skype with your students for bookclubs-free of charge.

Check out this[| video] of a group of students Skype with author Gordon Korman.

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This video features a Skype interview with 19 year-old author [|Katharine Sohler].

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=Read a Book with a Favorite Relative/ Distant Classmate =

[|Readeo] incorporates Skype to allow relatives to read with their grandchildren, nieces, nephews,or children across the miles. The storybook appears on the page as the story is read aloud by the participating relative via Skype.

This tool would be a great way to involve children in other regions of the country or from other backgrounds in a discussion about cultural practices, how they vary across the country or across the world and it would be a great outlet for students to express the different ways that their own culture or race is portrayed in picture books. This site could also be used to allow children to share book with children in other regions of the United States. It would be a great way to initiate a book discussion for younger students.

=Visit the Settings in Your Favorite Book=

Google Lit Trips pairs the settings in a story with Google Maps so that the reader can locate the scenes in the story and at each reference point they can click on a pop-up window, view an image, watch a video, or listen to an audio clip that relates to the storyline. One example traces the path of the ducks in //Make Way for Ducklings// by Robert Closkey through the streets of Boston. When it comes to modern fantasy that refers to real destinations this tool would also be useful. Students could develop their own literature trip to real locations that have qualities similar to imaginary settings described in a book.



= = =Design A Talent Show Around Your Favorite Book=

Students can analyze their characters to determine their talents and then plan a performance that would coincide with that character. For instance, Winnie from //Tuck Everlasting// might charm a toad. A friend could dress up as a toad and she could ask her to jump through a hoop. A fairy tale charater like the Big Bad Wolf might blow a ping pong ball across the table to show his great blowing aptitude. Students could act out their favorite scenes from the story, sing a song they wrote about the book, engage in a mock sword fight (Mirka in //Hereville//), shoot a bow and arrow (//Hunger Games),// or practice their hawking skills (Matty in //Hawksmaid).//

=Rewrite the Plot of Your Favorite Book (Younger Students)=

[|Tikatok]is a website that allows students to create a book. They have options including help for the beginning story publisher to creating a story from scratch.Students can even personalize their story and create an imaginary world to their own liking.Students could take a realistic story and rewrite it and include fantasy elements. For example, student could imagine what it would be like to travel back in time and meet their favorite historical figure. They might imagine what life would be like in the future, or experiment with the idea of having their own clone like in //The House of the Scorpion.//

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= = =Create a Parody or Alternate Version of Your Favorite Book (Older Students)=

Students can use sites like [|Storybird] to rewrite their favorite book and change elements of the plot to reflect their own personal experiences. This site allows more freedom and would be a good medium for rewriting a fairy tale or creating a fantasy world where students can imagine themselves as their favorite characters and demonstrate how they would more effectively use magic to accomplish their goals.

=Jeopardy with Video Clips of Your Favorite Fantasy Characters=

Using a template, embed videos in a Jeopardy game much the same way that Jeopardy has been using their "Clue Crew" to enhance their show. Students can read quotes from the book and dress in costume and contestants must guess the names of the characters from various book they have been reading.



=Make A Facebook Page for Your Favorite Characters=

Students design a facebook page for their favorite character. For instance, Katniss in the //Hunger Games// would have pictures of Gale, Peeta, Prim, and her mother in her photo album and she could have a photo album of her opponents and list their strengths and weaknesses as she strategized against them She would have links to website on making animal traps, bows and arrows, and survival techniques for preparing for the //Hunger Games.// Her friends would be the other characters in the book at least people like Greasy Sae, Haymitch, and Madge. As the students progressed through the chapters they could stop at the end and update her status and comment on the activites for that day. Students could write messages to Katniss as if there were other characters in the book. For instance, on the day that Katniss shoots the arrow into the apple lodged in the pig's mouth, her admirers could comment on her audacity.

Check out this example of a Facebook page for George Washington

Choose a template listed below to get started:

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