Genres – Grade 1 MYP

1. Fiction

• Relevance: Fiction introduces students to imaginative storytelling and creative writing.
• Sub-genres:
  • Realistic Fiction: Stories that could happen in real life.
    • Example: “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio.
  • Fantasy: Stories involving magical elements or imaginary worlds.
    • Example: “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling.
  • Adventure: Exciting stories with a focus on action and exploration.
    • Example: “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” by Mark Twain.

2. Non-Fiction

• Relevance: Non-fiction helps students learn about real events, people, and concepts.
• Sub-genres:
  • Biographies/Autobiographies: True stories about a person’s life.
    • Example: “Who Was Anne Frank?” by Ann Abramson.
  • Informational Texts: Texts that provide facts about a specific topic.
    • Example: Articles from National Geographic Kids.
  • Essays: Short pieces of writing on a particular subject.
    • Example: Essays on environmental conservation.

3. Poetry

• Relevance: Poetry introduces students to the beauty of language and the use of rhythm, rhyme, and figurative language.
• Types of Poetry:
  • Narrative Poetry: Poems that tell a story.
    • Example: “The Highwayman” by Alfred Noyes.
  • Lyric Poetry: Poems that express personal thoughts or feelings.
    • Example: “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth.
  • Haiku: A form of Japanese poetry with a 5-7-5 syllable structure.
    • Example: Traditional nature haikus.

4. Drama

• Relevance: Drama allows students to explore stories through dialogue and action, often in play format.
• Sub-genres:
  • Comedy: Light-hearted plays with humorous elements.
    • Example: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare (simplified versions).
  • Tragedy: Plays that involve serious themes and sad endings.
    • Example: Simplified versions of “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare.

5. Folktales and Myths

• Relevance: These traditional stories help students understand cultural heritage and moral lessons.
• Sub-genres:
  • Folktales: Stories passed down through generations, often with a moral lesson.
    • Example: “The Tortoise and the Hare” (Aesop’s Fables).
  • Myths: Stories involving gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures that explain natural phenomena or cultural traditions.
    • Example: Greek myths like “The Story of Icarus.”

6. Historical Fiction

• Relevance: This genre combines historical facts with fictional characters and stories, helping students learn about history in a narrative format.
• Example: “Number the Stars” by Lois Lowry.

7. Science Fiction

• Relevance: Science fiction explores futuristic concepts, advanced technology, and often addresses social or ethical issues.
• Example: “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle.

8. Mystery

• Relevance: Mystery stories encourage critical thinking and problem-solving as students follow clues to uncover the truth.
• Example: “The Westing Game” by Ellen Raskin.

9. Fables

• Relevance: Fables are short stories that typically feature animals as characters and convey a moral lesson.
• Example: “The Fox and the Grapes” from Aesop’s Fables.

10. Fairy Tales

• Relevance: Fairy tales are short stories featuring magical elements and typically have a happy ending.
• Example: “Cinderella” by the Brothers Grimm.

In MYP Year 1, students are introduced to these genres to help them develop a broad understanding of different types of literature. This exposure allows them to begin recognizing the characteristics of each genre and appreciating the diversity in literary forms.

Genres in Holes by Louis Sachar

“Holes” by Louis Sachar is a novel that blends several genres, making it a rich and multi-dimensional book. Here are the primary genres of “Holes”:

1. Adventure

• Description: “Holes” is an adventure story that follows the protagonist, Stanley Yelnats, as he is sent to a juvenile detention center called Camp Green Lake. The narrative involves physical challenges, the search for hidden treasure, and the quest for survival in harsh conditions.
• Example: Stanley’s journey to uncover the truth behind the mysterious digging at Camp Green Lake.

2. Mystery

• Description: The novel has a strong mystery element, centered around the questions of why the boys are forced to dig holes, what they are looking for, and how the history of Camp Green Lake connects to Stanley’s own family.
• Example: The gradual uncovering of the history of Kissin’ Kate Barlow and the treasure hidden at Camp Green Lake.

3. Historical Fiction

• Description: Part of the novel is set in the past, telling the story of Camp Green Lake and the events that occurred there over a century ago. These historical elements are woven into the present-day narrative.
• Example: The backstory of Kissin’ Kate Barlow and her transformation from a schoolteacher to an outlaw.

4. Realistic Fiction

• Description: While the story has some fantastical elements, it is largely grounded in reality, depicting the lives of young boys in a tough situation and exploring themes like friendship, justice, and perseverance.
• Example: The realistic portrayal of the harsh conditions at Camp Green Lake and the development of Stanley’s friendships with the other boys.

5. Coming-of-Age

• Description: “Holes” is also a coming-of-age story, as it follows Stanley’s personal growth from a shy, overweight boy who is often bullied, to a more confident and self-reliant young man.
• Example: Stanley’s transformation and the development of his character through his experiences at Camp Green Lake.

These genres come together to create a complex, engaging story that appeals to a wide range of readers and offers multiple layers of meaning and interpretation.