Handout used for 7th grade Science Fiction Unit

1. Exploring SciEncE Fiction
“At its best, science fiction has no peer in creating another universe of experience, in showing us what we look
like in the mirror of technological society or through the eyes of a non-human.”
- Dick Riley
“Science fiction is the very literature of change. In fact, it is the only such literature we have.”
- Frederick Pohl
“It may be far in the future, but there's some kind of logical way to get from where we are to where the science
fiction is.” – Elizabeth Moon
 Before you read:
Study the book cover and back and read the first few pages. See if you can identify the major ideas in the book. Is
the story about alien encounters? Current technology with future consequences? Life on a different planet? Life in
the far future?
 As you read:
Keep a list of questions you have about the characters, events, or problems in the story. Focus on those issues that
reflect current scientific, societal, or cultural trends. What “thought experiment” was the author using as a premise
for the story?
 After you read:
Identify at least one issue for further exploration and thoroughly research it. Investigate different sides or facets of the
issue, and examine the project ideas below. Choose one that best fits your learning style and the ideas presented in
the book.

2. Visual-Spatial Naturalistic Intrapersonal Interpersonal Logical- Bodily- Verbal- Musical
Mathematical Kinesthetic Linguistic
Create a Make a map Keep a Choose a Present a Dress as a Write an Design a
board game of an journal as if controversial report about character editorial or cover, liner
complete with imaginary trip you are one issue in the the scientific from the book opinion piece notes and
the dangers or hike of the story and or and act out a that takes a song lyrics for
and conflicts through the characters in present both mathematical conflict or stand with a musical CD
faced by the world or the book. sides, pro premise of problem that regard to a based on
characters in setting of the Describe your and con, to the story. the character controversial characters
the book. story. Include reactions to the class as a Cite faces. Be issue in the and events in
The game “must see” the events as lesson. After examples and sure that the story. Be the book.
must be sights with they unfold or the data from dialogue sure to have The cover
playable by informative write a series presentation, current expresses the factual should have
people who explanations of letters to a take a vote or research in character’s support for titles for at
have not read as well as character conduct a science and position on your position. least 8 songs
the book. travel expressing survey to technology. the central Or write an and complete
warnings of your opinions determine issues in the alternate lyrics for at
dangers and of their how the story. ending to the least 2 songs.
potential actions and majority of story based
threats. offering the class on your own
advice. thinks. “thought
experiment.

3. Rubric for Science Fiction Book Project
4 3 2 1
WOW! NICE! HUH? YIKES!
Project shows Project shows Project lacks Project shows little
evidence of a evidence of a clarity in the understanding of
thoughtful, creative focused approach presentation of the the central themes
approach in the in the presentation central themes and and problems in
presentation of the of the central problems in the the story. Ideas
central themes and themes and story. Ideas presented are very
problems in the problems in the presented are incomplete or
Quality of
story. Ideas story. Ideas are relevant, but are disorganized.
Ideas
presented are clearly presented, not fully developed
provocative and contributing to or well organized,
challenging, knowledge in a leaving questions
contributing to focused specific in the audience’s
knowledge in a area. mind.
focused specific
area.
Project shows Project shows Project shows Project shows no
evidence that evidence that evidence that evidence that
student gathered student gathered student gathered student gathered
information from a information from a information from information from
variety of quality variety of limited or few reliable sources.
electronic and print electronic and print sources.
resources. resources. Some of the
Research Project shows Project shows research is not
evidence of evidence of relevant or the
research that is research that is project fails to
relevant, balanced relevant and show how the
and related to the related to the research is related
central issues and central issues and to the central
themes raised in themes raised in issues and themes
the story. the story. raised in the story.
The project shows The project shows The project is The project is of
evidence of evidence of somewhat poor quality and
exceptional organization and disorganized shows evidence of
organization and craftsmanship. and/or lacks last minute work or
craftsmanship. Text is either typed craftsmanship. carelessness.
Text is either typed or professionally Mechanical errors Mechanical errors
or professionally lettered with few or detract from the and/or illegibility
lettered with no minor mechanical meaning of the text detract
Product mechanical errors. errors. Graphics Graphics and significantly from
Graphics and and images are images are the presentation.
images are clear, clear and present, but do not
compelling and effectively add to the
effectively contribute to the understanding of
contribute to the understanding of concepts
understanding of concepts presented.
concepts presented.
presented.