1. categorizing genre.notebook
1
August 29, 2013
8/29/13
8th Grade Language Arts
Agenda:
1. Independent Reading
2. Finish Writing Process
3. Reading Response
Assignments:
-Vocab Writing (F)
-Reading Response (T)

2. categorizing genre.notebook
2
August 29, 2013
Historical Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Science Fiction
Biography
Autobiography
Non­Fiction
FolktaleFantasy
Mystery
a fictional story with
real and invented
characters that takes
place during particular
period in the past
all the information is
based on the facts
and not made up
a story including
elements that are
impossible; such as
talking animals or
magical powers
the story of a real
person’s life that is
written by another
person
a story often with a
message, that was
initially passed on by
word of mouth
a story using made­up
characters that takes
place in modern times
a story that blends
futuristic technology
with science fact and
fiction
a suspenseful story
about a puzzling
event that is not
solved until the end
of the story
the story of a real
person’s life that is
written by that person

3. categorizing genre.notebook
3
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
biography
Fiction: imaginative or made up writing
Science fiction:
Historical fiction: set in the past and based on real people and/ or events
Realistic fiction: has no elements of fantasy; could be true but isn't
Nonfiction: Writing that is true
Autobiography: life story written by oneself
Biography: story of someone else's life
Informational writing: explains something
Essay:
Folklore: stories once passed down orally
Myth: has gods/ goddesses; usually accounts for creation of something
Fairy tale: has magic and/or talking animals; like fantasy but much older
Legend: Based on a real person or place, but stretched beyond nonfiction
Tall tale: The main character's skill/ size/ strength is greatly exaggerated
Fable: short story with personified animals and a moral
Genre: Reference page
Genres are categories of writing. Refer to this
page as you practice categorizing the genres
of various books.

4. categorizing genre.notebook
4
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and drag
the genre to the checker.
The Rise and Fall of
Senator Joe McCarthy
by James Cross Giblin
Joseph McCarthy was a
senator during the cold war who
accused many people of being
“communists.” Many actors and
directors were banned from
working on movies because of
McCarthy’s accusations. James
Cross Giblin tells the true story of
Joe McCarthy’s life, his rise to
power and his down fall.
biography

5. categorizing genre.notebook
5
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
The Fox and the Grapes
retold by Aesop
One day a fox came upon a grape
orchard and found a bunch of beautiful
grapes hanging from a high branch.
"Boy those sure would be tasty," he
thought to himself. He backed up and
took a running start, and jumped. He
did not get high enough. He went back
to his starting spot and tried again. He
almost got high enough this time, but
not quite. He tried and tried, again and
again, but he just couldn't get high
enough to grab the grapes. Finally, he
gave up. As he walked away, he put his
nose in the air and said: "I am sure
those grapes are sour." It is easy to
hate what you cannot have.
fable

6. categorizing genre.notebook
6
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
Ender’s Game
by Orson Scott Card
In order to develop a secure
defense against a hostile alien race's
next attack, government agencies
breed child geniuses and train them
as soldiers. A brilliant young boy,
Andrew "Ender" Wiggin is drafted
to the orbiting Battle School for
rigorous military training. Ender's
skills make him a leader in school
and respected in the Battle Room.
Yet growing up in an artificial
community of young soldiers Ender
suffers greatly from isolation, rivalry
from his peers, pressure from the
adult teachers, and an unsettling fear
of the alien invaders.

7. categorizing genre.notebook
7
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
Tales of the Greek Heroes
retold by Roger Lancelyn Green
This book has the mysterious
and exciting stories of the gods
and heroes in Ancient Greece,
from the adventures of Perseus,
the labours of Heracles, the voyage
of Jason and the Argonauts, to
Odysseus and the Trojan wars.
myth

8. categorizing genre.notebook
8
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
All Quiet on the Western Front by
Erich Maria Remarque
The book tells the story of a
fictional character named Paul Bäumer,
a soldier who—urged on by his school
teacher—joined the German army
shortly after the start of World War I.
Bäumer arrives at the Western Front
and meets an older soldier, nicknamed
Kat, who becomes Paul's mentor. While
fighting at the front, Bäumer and his
comrades have to engage in frequent
battles and endure the dangerous and
often squalid conditions of warfare. The
book does not focus on heroic stories
of bravery, but rather gives a view of
the conditions in which the soldiers find
themselves.

9. categorizing genre.notebook
9
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
The Sleeping Beauty
retold by C. S. Evans
In Evans's retelling of the classic
story, a wicked fairy is disgruntled at
not being invited to the princess's
christening, so she casts a spell that
dooms the princess to sleep for a
hundred years.

10. categorizing genre.notebook
10
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
Decision Points
by George W. Bush
In this candid and gripping
account, President George W. Bush
describes the critical decisions that
shaped his presidency and personal
life. George W. Bush served as
president of the United States during
eight of the most consequential years
in American history. The decisions
that reached his desk impacted
people around the world and defined
the times in which we live. Written by
George Bush and from the
perspective of George Bush.

11. categorizing genre.notebook
11
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
Journey to the Centre of the
Earth
by Jules Verne
The story of a German
professor who believes there are
volcanic tubes going toward the
center of the Earth. He, his
nephew Axel, and their guide
Hans climb down a crater and
have many wild adventures,
encountering dinosaurs and
prehistoric man. They eventually
return to surface again in
southern Italy.

12. categorizing genre.notebook
12
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
Science Is...: A source book of
fascinating facts, projects and
activities
by Susan V. Bosak
Using common materials and
household products, you can
conduct your own scientific
experiments. Activities are
organized by the amount of time
and effort involved.

13. categorizing genre.notebook
13
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
Walk Two Moons
by Sharon Creech
Thirteen­year­old Sal goes on
a road trip from Ohio to Idaho
with her grandparents, hoping to
be reunited with her mother. Along
the way, she tells her grandparents
about her friend Phoebe and
Phoebe's family.

14. categorizing genre.notebook
14
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
The Time Machine
by H.G. Wells
When a Victorian scientist propels
himself into the year 802,701, he is
initially delighted to find that suffering has
been replaced by beauty, contentment,
and peace. Entranced at first by the Eloi,
an elfin species descended from man, he
soon realizes that these beautiful people
are simply remnants of a once­great
culture—now weak and childishly afraid
of the dark. They have every reason to
be afraid: in deep tunnels beneath their
paradise lurks another race descended
from humanity—the sinister Morlocks.
And when the scientist’s time machine
vanishes, it becomes clear he must
search these tunnels if he is ever to return
to his own era.

15. categorizing genre.notebook
15
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
Sally Ann Thunder Ann
Whirlwind Crockett
retold and illustrated by Steven
Kellogg
Kellogg retells a mighty fine
tall tale of refreshing heroic
feats. While still a toddler, Sally
Ann outruns rabbits. At age four,
she flips the strongest arm
wrestlers. She screams the
feathers right off the heads of a
pair of eagles while rescuing
Davy Crockett, who has his head
caught in a tree.

16. categorizing genre.notebook
16
August 29, 2013
Fiction
Genre
Nonfiction Folklore
myth
historical
fiction
biography
essay
legend
tall tale
fable
science
fiction
fairy tale
autobiography
realistic
fiction
informational
writing
Instructions: Decide as a group
the genre of this book, and
drag the genre to the checker.
African Creation Story
by unknown
In the Bakuba account, the Earth
was originally nothing but water and
darkness, ruled by the giant Mbombo.
This giant, after feeling an intense pain
in his stomach one day, vomited up
the sun, moon, and stars. The heat
and light from the sun evaporated the
water covering Earth, creating clouds,
and after time, the dry hills emerged
from the water. Mbombo vomited
once more. Many things were
contained in this second vomiting—
people (the first man and the first
woman), animals, trees, the falling
star, the firmament, and lighting.

17. categorizing genre.notebook
17
August 29, 2013