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Read Chapters 7-9; Complete Student Packet Worksheets for Chapters 7-9

Ask students to recall the Elements of Science Fiction that were discussed in the Genre Lesson. Have students think about any sci-fi movies or TV shows they have seen. Ask student volunteers to describe the setting of the movies/TV shows, as you keep a list of setting details on chart paper or the board. Notice the various settings of these movies and shows.

will explain that sci-fi texts are often set in a time or place that is different from reality. The setting details in a sci-fi text are usually quite vivid so that the reader can picture the setting. In Only You Can Save Mankind, the two major settings are the game that Johnny is playing and the real world he lives in. We are going to compare and contrast these two settings by looking at the events and characters in each. I will use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast two settings from this book: the Gulf War and the ScreeWee War.

I will label each oval in my Venn diagram: one oval for the Gulf War and one for the ScreeWee War. Within each oval I will write details that belong specifically to that setting. Where the ovals overlap, I will write characteristics that the two settings have in common.

First, I will recall details about each war. In the ScreeWee War, there are officers and captains. This is similar to a real war such as the Gulf War. I will write this detail in the shared space of my diagram. However, in the ScreeWee War, the females are the warriors and leaders. In a real war, usually males are the fighters and leaders. I will write each of these details in their appropriate ovals of the Venn diagram.

I will continue to add details about both wars to my Venn diagram as I read. This will help me compare and contrast the real world setting and the computer game setting in the book. Note: See Settings Venn diagram 1 for additional details to include in the Venn diagram.

Ask: "How can I compare and contrast the setting details in a science fiction text with the real world?" Students should answer that they can read the text while looking for setting details or descriptions and think about how the setting in the sci-fi text is different than or the same as reality. They can use a Venn diagram to record details about each setting in order to see how the settings differ and what they have in common.

will recall details to compare and contrast another setting aspect in Only You Can Save Mankind. We will examine Johnny’s character in two different settings: in the game and in reality. We will complete a Venn diagram to examine how Johnny acts in both of these different settings.

By skimming the book or recalling details from the book, we can remember that Johnny often questions himself and asks his friends for help or advice. We will write this down in the “Reality” oval of our Venn diagram. In the game, we see that Johnny is decisive and doesn’t need advice from others to help the ScreeWees. (See Settings Venn diagram 2 for an example chart.) Note: Continue to ask students for details that show what Johnny is like in reality and in the video game, and model recording those details on the Venn diagram.

We will think about how Johnny is the same in the two settings and write this in the shared space on the Venn diagram. For example, in both settings Johnny has compassion for other people and helps others. Note: Continue to ask students how Johnny is the same in both settings, and model recording those details on the Venn diagram.

will compare and contrast how Kirsty is in the game and in reality. In Chapter 9, there are many details about Kirsty’s house, life, and accomplishments. In Chapter 10, Kirsty joins Johnny in the game. Like Johnny, she is portrayed differently in the game compared to reality.

As you read Chapters 10-12, you will use the Settings Venn diagram in your Student Packet to compare and contrast Kirsty in the game and in reality. You will write the details in the appropriate ovals and in the shared space, and you will prepare to share your details with the class. (See page 17 in the Student Packet.)