Fantasy lesson plans include stories and visuals within the fantasy genre, which includes fable, myth, legend and fairy tales. The ability of a student to distinguish between the subcategories fantasy is a key factor in understanding the scope of fantasy in general. Construct the lesson plan to provide an anticipatory set, which provides background to the students and works to get them interested in the subject. Such tools as overheads, PowerPoints and a selection of fantasy books for the students to read and visually see the difference among the areas of fantasy are useful. Lessons include writing a synopsis of the reading material and constructing a drawing or 3D project depicting the particular subject matter. Check for comprehension of each fantasy area with written tests, essays and/or a verbal explanation of the fantasy project.
Realism is a genre that is compared to romanticism and naturalism within American literature. The three genres are grouped together due to their similarities, and contrast well with fantasy. American realism depicts common, everyday life through literature in plausible stories that readers can relate to. Romanticism is real life writ large, with the average man as hero, but with both characters and natural surroundings highly idealized and subjective. Naturalism, on the other hand, sees man as controlled by nature in an objective, often violent way. A lesson plan to help a student understand realism includes comparing and contrasting the differences among realism, romanticism and naturalism. Provide adequate short stories in each genre and a verbal exchange within the classroom to ensure the students understand the differences.
The timeline of the placement of fantasy and realism within the different cultures throughout the world helps a student to understand the mythology of the past. Prepare a lesson plan specific for a particular era such as Greek culture and Greek mythology during 800 B.C. to 150 A.D.. This includes such items as the Greek gods, statues and mythical stories. Speak with the students about the different gods compared to mythological gods in other regions. This same process is used to depict realism writing between the years of 1865 to 1900 A.D. Provide literature from both fantasy genres and realism for the students to read from the time periods, discuss the historical implications of each and check for understanding when complete.
Art lesson plans begin with providing the students the background of fantasy within the culture and writings from 800 B.C. to 150 A.D. Sample lesson plans include those that depict dragons, mythical gods and fantasy creatures in drawings or 3D works of art. Incorporate study of fantasy literature by having students draw the subjects of their art from literary works covered in class and include a short written or verbal explanation of the project as it relates to the elements of fantasy to check their understanding of the subject.