Blue Room: Science Fiction

Week 1 in the Blue Room is focused on one of the most famous radio broadcasts of all time: Orson Welles’ adaptation of H.G. Wells’ science fiction novel, “The War of the Worlds.” Orson Welles’ telling of the story was so realistic that on October 30^th, 1938 thousands of people on the East Coast believed that what they were hearing on the radio was an actual news broadcast of an alien invasion! This broadcast launched Orson Welles into stardom and he will forever be in the history books for his realistic retelling of the classic, “The War of the Worlds.”

Week 1 Sub Theme Objectives

1. Be familiar with the term “science fiction” and the types of stories that fall into this category (i.e. aliens, time travel, space travel, etc.).
2. Be familiar with H.G. Wells, the author of “War of the Worlds,” as well as Orson Welles, the actor who broadcast an adaptation of the story on air in 1938.
3. Understand the importance of radio in 1938, when “War of the Worlds” was broadcast.
4. Practice listening comprehension skills and be able to recollect parts of the story already listened to from previous days.

Week 2 in the Blue Room will be focused on another of H.G. Wells’ science fiction classics, “The Time Machine.” “The Time Machine” is about a professor who invents a machine that can take him through time. On his very first trip, the professor ends up traveling to the year 802,701 and encounters all of the amazing and frightening wonders that the future holds!

Week 2 Sub Theme Objectives

1. Be familiar with H.G. Wells, the author of “The Time Machine.”
2. Be able to recollect parts of a story read from a previous day.
3. Experience Expressive Reading and practice following the text of a story.
4. Compare and contrast “The Time Machine” and “The War of the Worlds” and discuss why both are considered to be science fiction.

Week 3 in the Blue Room will be focused on another science fiction classic, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” by Jules Verne. In the story, Professor Aronnax begins a journey to catch the infamous sea monster, “the Thing” but things take an unexpected turn when he meets the mysterious Captain Nemo.

Week 3 Sub Theme Objectives

1. Be familiar Jules Verne, the author of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”
2. Be able to recollect parts of a story read from a previous day.
3. Experience Expressive Reading and practice following the text of a story.
4. Be familiar with characters of the story and discuss how each contributed to the story’s outcome.

The last week of the month will again follow a similar format to that of weeks 2 and 3; however, week 4 will be focused on the graphic novel, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” by Jules Verne. A graphic novel differs greatly from the chapter books of weeks 2 and 3. The graphic novel, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” is full of colorful pictures and is more limited in the amount of text to be read. Also, instead of splitting up into small groups, this graphic novel will be read as a class, huddled close together in one cohesive group sharing the exciting trials and triumphs of the story together.

The story, “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” is another Jules Verne classic that follows the adventures of Axel Lidenbrock and his uncle through a secret passageway to the center of the earth. While there they encounter underground rivers, oceans and  prehistoric monsters.

Week 4 Sub Theme Objectives

1. Be familiar with Jules Verne, the author of “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
2. Be familiar with the characteristics of a graphic novel.
3. Be able to recollect parts of a story read from a previous day.
4. Experience Expressive Reading.

The following learning goals will also be addressed in lessons throughout the month. These learning goals are designed to introduce students to Kindergarten and First-Grade-Level  concepts in developmentally and age-appropriate ways. Practice some or all of these concepts at home throughout the month to further your child’s comprehension of the concept!

Reading:

Follow words from left to right and from top to bottom on the printed page

Recognize that sentences in print are made up of separate words.

Distinguish letters from words

Reading Comprehension:

Ask and answer questions about essential elements of a text

Listening and Speaking:

Listen attentively

Literary Response and Analysis:

Distinguish fantasy from realistic text

Identify characters, settings and important events

Letters: 

Recognition, Sounds and Writing: The learning of letters is worked into each and every lesson that students participate in in the Blue Room. Teachers plan “Alphabet Opportunities” so that students have ample time to practice letter recognition, phonics and letter writing throughout the month.