Sci-Fi/Fantasy Lit

Why do we read and write in the dystopian genre?

The Handmaids Tale - Day 1 (Tuesday, March 17 th)
Learning goal: Students will be able to articulate why they might read and write in the
dystopian genre. Students will also be able to make connections between The Handmaids Tale
epigraphs and the novels description and first chapter.
Intro, as students are walking into the room (15 minutes)
Respond to the large question written on the board: What is dystopia? What do we know
about the dystopian genre? What are some examples?
Follow up discussion
o Why read/write in the dystopian genre?
o What else do we know about the dystopian genre?
Dystopia: an imaginary place where people are unhappy and usually afraid because
they are not treated fairly
Video clips to introduce the dystopian genre (15 minutes)
Apple 1984 commercial
THx-1138
Clip from The Hunger Games
What can we take away from these clips?
o Have students identify certain elements of the clips that we know are
dystopia. How do we know?
Pass out student version of the unit calendar
Epigraphs (20 minutes)
Split into groups of 6 and research (students can use laptops) 10 minutes
1/2: And when Rachel saw
3/4: I fortunately fell upon this proposal
5/6: In the desert
Have a member from each group present to the rest of the class. While theyre
presenting, everyone else fills in the boxes that they are missing.
Processed reading/start book together
Processed reading: model my thoughts as a reader
Discuss: where are they? (5 Ws + H)
What do we know about the Gileadean world just from the opening paragraph?
What questions are we left with?
Finish Exit Ticket at the end of the epigraph packet.
Students can begin homework reading if they/we finish early.
HW: pgs. 3-40