Before reading this chapter, I did not have a clear personal definition on what contemporary realistic fiction was, or how I could use such in my classroom. Through reading, I can now define contemporary realistic fiction as the following: a work of fiction that has a strong sense of reality that describes problems in a fully human context as it would be experienced today.
How to find quality contemporary realistic fiction: (as seen in Galda 225):
1. Story exemplifies characteristics of excellence in narrative fiction
2. Realistic setting
3. Multidimensional main characters
4. Believable problems
5. Understandability of plot by targeted age group
6. Intrinsic theme
7. Dialogue and character thoughts are natural
I liked how the chapter also gave ideas on how to use this in our classrooms, through the use of a writer's notebook. Through this writer's notebook, students can log and journal their own lives, reflect upon past writings, and ultimately write their own example of contemporary realistic fiction.
I liked that class was broken up today with the 'Writing as Truth' seminar. I thought it to be very clever and smart to use the motto of the school in connection with personal writing and messages. I felt this seminar gave a real-world connection to writing (something that can be very motivating to students), and also allowed for a platform for college students to display their work.
A classmate of mine, Trina, does a great job on her blog giving examples of different contemporary realistic fiction that can be used in the classroom. She gives teachers and readers catchy summaries of three books, without giving away the story! I think she did a great job of listing 3 books that nicely represent realistic fiction.
No comments:
Post a Comment