Any cute ideas to introduce the concept of reality vs. fantasy? I am going to read a fall-related book because that is the theme right now, and create a T-Chart graphic organizer with the headings reality & fantasy. We will discover the parts of the book that are realistic and the parts that are fictional. Any ideas on how to extend it from there? Thankssss
I do this creature drawing with elementary age kids. First we talk about real creatures and the parts they have. Lion's have a tail, and whiskers, etc. Bird's have feathers and a beak, etc. All "living" creatures. Then we discuss imagination and creatures that do not exist. Dragons, unicorns, etc. After that, I have them list parts of creatures that we discussed. I usually make the list age+1, so 6 details for K and 7 for 1st. They also can add personal details not on the list if they like. I get volunteers using a guess the number I'm thinking of method which amounts to boy/girl/boy/girl if I can manage it. It's a subterfuge but it's also a game. Once the list is established, I have them draw the creature with all the parts listed plus the ones they want to add. A list looks like: 1. Big Belly 2. 4 heads 3. A bird beak 4. Furry 5. long neck 6. horns Markers, crayons, and pencils on standby and they draw. After they've mostly committed to a drawing, which for some doesn't resemble much on the list very well, I do my own drawing on the board and allow them to copy it if they want.
