Download the Classroom Resource Guide to The Serendipity of Flightless Things here:
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Download the Classroom Resources above for a full DISCUSSION and VOCABULARY guide!
Grade Level: 4-9 (Ages 10-14)
Genre: Fairytale Retelling/Historical
Key Topics:
1970s Historical Fiction
Fairytale Retellings
Immigration
Irish Culture/Importance of Family Culture
The Troubles of Belfast
Power of Storytelling
Magical Realism
Project Ideas:
1. "Fairytale Retelling" Storyboard/Short Story Project:
SERENDIPITY is a retelling of Irish fairytale, The Children of Lir. In this activity, students create a storyboard for a fairytale retelling. Teachers and students discuss ways to spin a story by examining point of view, time and scope, setting, and key plot details. Students research fairytales either from their own or another's culture. After choosing a fairytale to retell, the whole class uses a “What If?” brainstorming technique to imagine different ways a fairytale can be reimagined while keeping the bare bones of the story recognizable. Each student then creates a story board on a grid with both words and pictures that can later be developed into a short story.
2. "Setting As Character" Discussion/Prose Writing Exercise:
In SERENDIPITY, home is such an important concept to Finn, that the rolling hills, stormy seas, and magical forests of Ireland almost becomes a character itself. As this is an immigration story, culture is transported from one land to another, but always remains key to Finn’s definition of who she is. In a circle format, discuss what home means to each student, as well as how each student’s own culture impacts their sense of home. Questions such as “Can home be a person?” and “Can home be somewhere you don’t live?” and “Can home be somewhere imaginary?” may be addressed. Questions regarding culture may also be addressed, such as "What makes a culture unique?" or "How does your culture impact your daily life?" Discuss how one’s sense of home impacts one’s sense of self. Then, each student will choose either a real or imagined setting and “explode a moment.” Brainstorm by using the five senses as well as imagining what the setting means to the narrator and how the character's sense of culture impacts their point of view.
3. "Creature Poetry" Poetry Writing Exercise:
In the story, Nuala chooses to turn her grandchildren into swans for very specific reasons. If you were an animal, what would you be and why? Write a poem about what it would be like to turn into that animal, or what attributes that animals has that you admire. Alternatively, research Irish mythical creatures and create a poem based on one that strikes your imagination. Include a drawing of your creature with your poem.
4. "Magical Realism Story" Short Story Project:
SERENDIPITY is a magical realism story. That means that only a tiny amount of magic is added to the story so that the reader might even doubt that the magic is real at times. In this project, students will try their hand at writing magical realism. They will choose from a list of ordinary objects that they would like to turn magical (shoes, necklace, pen, teacup, flower, perfume, eyeglasses, chocolate, book, etc.) and create a story surrounding it.
Grade Level: 4-9 (Ages 10-14)
Genre: Fairytale Retelling/Historical
Key Topics:
1970s Historical Fiction
Fairytale Retellings
Immigration
Irish Culture/Importance of Family Culture
The Troubles of Belfast
Power of Storytelling
Magical Realism
Project Ideas:
1. "Fairytale Retelling" Storyboard/Short Story Project:
SERENDIPITY is a retelling of Irish fairytale, The Children of Lir. In this activity, students create a storyboard for a fairytale retelling. Teachers and students discuss ways to spin a story by examining point of view, time and scope, setting, and key plot details. Students research fairytales either from their own or another's culture. After choosing a fairytale to retell, the whole class uses a “What If?” brainstorming technique to imagine different ways a fairytale can be reimagined while keeping the bare bones of the story recognizable. Each student then creates a story board on a grid with both words and pictures that can later be developed into a short story.
2. "Setting As Character" Discussion/Prose Writing Exercise:
In SERENDIPITY, home is such an important concept to Finn, that the rolling hills, stormy seas, and magical forests of Ireland almost becomes a character itself. As this is an immigration story, culture is transported from one land to another, but always remains key to Finn’s definition of who she is. In a circle format, discuss what home means to each student, as well as how each student’s own culture impacts their sense of home. Questions such as “Can home be a person?” and “Can home be somewhere you don’t live?” and “Can home be somewhere imaginary?” may be addressed. Questions regarding culture may also be addressed, such as "What makes a culture unique?" or "How does your culture impact your daily life?" Discuss how one’s sense of home impacts one’s sense of self. Then, each student will choose either a real or imagined setting and “explode a moment.” Brainstorm by using the five senses as well as imagining what the setting means to the narrator and how the character's sense of culture impacts their point of view.
3. "Creature Poetry" Poetry Writing Exercise:
In the story, Nuala chooses to turn her grandchildren into swans for very specific reasons. If you were an animal, what would you be and why? Write a poem about what it would be like to turn into that animal, or what attributes that animals has that you admire. Alternatively, research Irish mythical creatures and create a poem based on one that strikes your imagination. Include a drawing of your creature with your poem.
4. "Magical Realism Story" Short Story Project:
SERENDIPITY is a magical realism story. That means that only a tiny amount of magic is added to the story so that the reader might even doubt that the magic is real at times. In this project, students will try their hand at writing magical realism. They will choose from a list of ordinary objects that they would like to turn magical (shoes, necklace, pen, teacup, flower, perfume, eyeglasses, chocolate, book, etc.) and create a story surrounding it.
To have Fiadhnait visit your school or event, please contact her at [email protected].