Using Science Fiction to teach Creative Thinking, Part One: Alternative History

Did any of you see "Sharknado" this past summer on the Sci-Fi channel? If you haven't, and you like super cheesy movies, you should definitely put it on your to-watch list. Starring Tara Reid and  Ian Ziering from 90210, it's truly terrible in the best possible way.  Often, creative ideas come to you when you least expect it. I knew from the moment I first saw chomping sharks flying through the sky that I must find a way to incorporate it into my middle school lesson plans. Knowing very little about the science fiction genre, I dug in to the research with anticipation and the result was a full marking period devoted to the theme.  Here are some examples of our science fiction explorations, shared in 4 posts.

Part One: Alternative History

We started the marking period with the exploration of Alternate Histories. Alternative History is a genre of fiction that supposes a different course of history occurred.  "What would happen if _____ had become president?" or "What if penguins had developed higher brain functioning and opposable thumbs?" or "What if we had always lived without gravity?" etc. 

Alternative history can get a little post apocalyptic and politically controversial for a relatively conservative teaching situation. I always have to be careful not to push the line too far (although it can be tempting). In searching online, I discovered a science fiction artist named Frank Wu. Knowing my students interest in fantasy art, I knew his work would be relevant and engaging. I was particularly drawn to his Sci Fi Convention Painting, "Zombie Lincoln on the Moon".

In this painting, Wu supposes that the south secedes the Civil War and sends Lincoln off to the moon in a space suit, Abraham Lincoln lives eternally as a zombie, he's armed with nuclear power or some other type of super weapon and apparently blows up the entire earth.  If that doesn't capture the attention of a middle school kid and give you about 50 million things to talk about ranging from the awesome absurdity of zombies  to very real discussions about equality and idealism, I don't know what would.

We also examined other popular contemporary alternative history stories like the Hunger Games trilogy and The City of Ember young adult book series.

The students created (in groups) lists of famous figures from history and contemporary times (including celebrities). Students took these famous figures and played "What if..."

What if the historical figure or celebrity traveled back in time to a different era or forward into the future, or into an alternate future? What would it be like for them?  How would they travel to this distant past or future time and place? What would other people's reactions be to their arrival?  How would they acclimate to their new environment?

The students did some creative writing on their self selected juxtaposition of ideas. (BTW, middle school kids love learning new words, "juxtaposition" became a new favorite for them. )

As always, I like to offer lots of options for my students when they are doing their work.  Some students chose to further develop their creative writing to explore this concept.  Some chose to do drawings, others collage, some painted and still others chose to create storyboards. I assessed their work based on the originality of the concept, thoughtful attention to detail, and obvious recognition of characters in the alternate history (easy to tell who they are and where/when they have been placed). Here are some of the visual outcomes of the alternative history prompt.

A student develops an illustrated story about a T-Rex who comes to the future and tries to learn how to use a laptop. Tempera on cardboard stock (four pages).

Beethoven performs for 2013 New Year's Rockin' Eve.
Pencil on paper

Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, LeBron James and Lady Gaga compete in the 4013 Corn Dog Festival. Marker and Colored Pencil on Paper

Marilyn Monroe steals the stage from Katy Perry. Border is filled with famous Marilyn quotes.
Marker and Colored Pencil on Paper

Benjamin Franklin plays tourist at a futuristic New York City, complete with MineCraft interactive buildings.
Colored Pencil on paper

Taylor Swift and Eminem being forced to perform on stage for an unusual crowd's pleasure.  Pen on paper.

"Whoa, it's Crazy Abe!"  Crazy Abe, famous fictional rap star makes an appearance at school.
Pencil on paper

Marilyn Monroe taking a selfie on Instagram at a StarBucks where Audrey Hepburn chills out enjoying a cool drink.
Colored Pencil and Marker on paper.

Artist's friend, Rena is sent back to they year 2011, as a troll doll version of herself in a birds nest. Whoa!
Tempera and marker on cardboard stock

Thomas Edison is amazed at the Apple Store, while playing Subway Surfers.