“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” 
                  ~ Groucho Marx

 

 

5th grade students will be working on reading all varieties of books this year.  As part of the Common Core Standards, students will be expcted to practice reading a variety of literature in order to become proficient readers.  It is important they make a conscius effort to read all types of books and learn to comprehend them.  We will explore all genres in some way throughout the year, and I am hoping they will also begin branching out and chosing many different types of books on their own.  

 

Below, you will find a list of the genres of literature that books are typically classified into.  Please refer to this list often this year as your child chooses books to read at home and in their free time.  I hope you find it most helpful!

 

 FICTION

            * Realistic Fiction: Just as its name suggests, these types of books contain characters, settings, and events that could happen in real life.

 

   * Fantasy: The opposite of realistic fiction, this genre contains characters, settings, and/or events that could not happeni n real life.  You may find things such as talking animals and even magic in these types of books.

 

                  * Mystery: This genre includes a mystery to solve, such as a kidnapping or theft.  There will most likely be a detective(s) of some sort or characters who view themselves as such.

 

* Science Fiction:  Although this is still a make believe story, there are many elements relating to scienctific facts or topics.  The Magic School Bus books are a perfect example of science fiction.

 

      * Traditional Literature:  This genre covers several other genres such as folktales, fairytails, myths and legends.  It involves stories that have been around for a long, long time and have been passed down over the years.

 

                              * Historical Fiction: Again, although the story itself is based on make believe characters, setting may take place in the past from a certain historical time perdio, such as the time of George Washington, the time of the Pilgrims and Native Americans, or even the time of the dinosaurs.  

 

 

NONFICTION

* Informational: This genre of literture is completely real and contains true facts about any topic at all.  It could be a book about various animals, books about science concepts, historical accounts, or even books about sports.

 

                           * Biography: This genre of literature contains real facts about a real person's life.  It could be a person from the past, or even a current individual. It is written by someone other than that person.

 

         * Autobiography: This type of book is again, abot a real person's life, but it is written by that person themselves.

 

POETRY

* This is type of literature is written to evoke emotion.  It may rhyme, contain a rhythm or beat and is typically very brief.