November 5

ELA 10 Independent Reading: Sci fi/fantasy

One of the requirements for the ELA A10 curriculum is to do some prolonged independent reading. There are a number of books on the classroom bookshelf you could consider, so long as they fit within the genres or themes below:

  • mysteries
  • the unknown
  • science fiction
  • fantasy
  • imagination/curiosity
  • challenges
  • a hero’s journey/quest

This year in particular, we’ve used a few more classes for some of the coursework than is usually needed in a regular year. We’re building up skills together, though, that otherwise may have already been established/built on if there wasn’t a loss of time/learning progress when we were sent home during the initial days of the Pandemic. We’re not pushing through the work too quickly that you’re overwhelmed by it, but that then means we need to make some adjustments for that extra time used.

You can choose to read a novel and see how far into the text you get. Some novel titles that fit include:

  • Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Gallaxy
  • The Chrysalids
  • A Brave New World
  • Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)
  • Dune (Frank Herbert)
  • The Martian (Andy Weir)
  • Enders Game

So… let me introduce to you some longer science fiction short stories.

They’re long enough in length they offer some prolonged, independent reading. There’s enough of a story developed that it requires some careful consideration of events, characters involved, motivations and tensions, and will be enough text to be the source of your following essay writing.

Some options to consider this year:

  • “A Sound of Thunder”: A sci-fi story of people going back in time for sport hunting – to kill a dinosaur – but, even though they’re warned not to cause any other changes in the past because it could have a ripple effect and change the present, it happens. (One of the most popular sci-fi short stories written, by a favourite author for many – Ray Bradbury.)
    Note – this was also made into a Simpsons episode.
  • “Actually Naneen”: A little into our future, there are robots used as nannies, but what do you do when yours is getting a little run-down and her operating software won’t upgrade anymore? (There is some empathy involved in this reading.) Author Malka Older – American, female scientist.
  • “By Degrees and Dilatory Time”: A sci-fi story of a man who has cancer of the optic nerve (eyes) and gets new robotic eyes. It’s an adjustment for him to get used to seeing the world through this perspective.
    Author S. L. Huang
  • “Cooking Time”: There is no food in the future; it’s all artificially made. With time travel, though, some can go back and cook, seeing what it’s like with read food. One young decides to go on a quest in the past to see if she can change the future, so there could be food still.
    Anita Roy


Posted November 5, 2021 by Waldner in category ELA A10

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