Fantasy Unit Choice Board

📜 Your Mission

You've journeyed through the wardrobe into Narnia and traveled to Camp Half-Blood with Percy Jackson. Now it's time to show what you've discovered about fantasy literature, mythological storytelling, and the deeper meanings hidden within these magical worlds.

Choose ONE quest below. Each option lets you demonstrate your understanding in a different way—whether you love designing games, building arguments, analyzing characters, or creating visual presentations. There's no "best" choice; pick the one that excites you most!

📊 Criterion A: Analysing 📊 Criterion C: Producing Text 📊 Criterion D: Using Language ⏱️ 240 minutes class time

⚔️ The Six Quests ⚔️

Click any card to reveal full details

🎲

Board Game Designer

Design a game that brings Narnia to life

Create a detailed plan for a board game based on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe where the rules and mechanics reflect Christian symbolism and themes.

📋 What You'll Create

Game objective and theme connecting to the book's deeper meaning
At least 2 game mechanics that reflect Christian themes (sacrifice, temptation, redemption, resurrection)
Complete list of game components (pieces, cards, dice, tokens)
3 key scenes from the book incorporated into gameplay
Designer's commentary explaining your creative choices

💡 Example Mechanics

A "sacrifice" mechanic where giving up points helps another player
"Temptation" cards that offer shortcuts with hidden consequences
A "redemption" path that lets players recover from setbacks

Good for students who: Love games, enjoy creative design, and want to explore how themes can be translated into interactive experiences

⚖️

The Trial of Edmund Pevensie

Build a case file for Narnia's most famous traitor

You're a detective investigating Edmund's actions. Should he face criminal charges for betraying his siblings, or does his transformation earn him freedom? Build your case with evidence.

📋 What You'll Create

Formal charges against Edmund (treason, conspiracy, endangerment)
3-4 pieces of evidence proving guilt (with specific scene references)
3-4 pieces of evidence showing redemption (with specific scene references)
Character analysis: what made Edmund vulnerable to temptation, what caused his transformation
Analysis of how Aslan's sacrifice affects your verdict
Your final verdict with solid reasoning

🔍 Key Questions to Consider

Was Edmund fully responsible for his choices, or was he manipulated?
How does the Deep Magic change what "justice" means?
Can someone's later actions "pay for" earlier crimes?

Good for students who: Enjoy debate and argument, like analyzing character motivation, and want to dig deep into one character's journey

🧪

Fantasy Formula Lab Report

Discover what makes fantasy work

Think like a genre scientist! Identify the essential elements of fantasy using both novels as evidence, then argue which book uses these conventions more effectively.

📋 What You'll Create

Analysis of 3-4 fantasy conventions (see options below)
2+ examples from EACH book for each convention
Evaluation of which book handles each convention better and why
Clear thesis statement arguing which is the stronger fantasy
Structured essay with introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion

🔮 Fantasy Conventions to Choose From

Portal to another world / Quest structure
Magical world-building (rules, creatures, geography)
Clear good vs. evil
Mentor figures
Ordinary character in extraordinary situation
Magical objects/weapons
Hero's journey / Character transformation
Prophecy / Destiny / "Chosen one"

Good for students who: Like comparing and contrasting, enjoy analytical writing, and want to understand what makes fantasy work as a genre

🎬

Narnia's Greatest Hits

Spotlight the moments that matter most

Identify two crucial scenes in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, analyze why they matter, and connect each to a parallel moment in The Lightning Thief. Present your analysis visually.

📋 What You'll Create

2 pivotal scenes from LWW
Scene summary for each (50-75 words)
Analysis of why each scene matters (100-150 words each)
Connection to a parallel scene in The Lightning Thief (75-100 words each)
Visual presentation (poster or digital slides)

🎯 Pivotal Scenes to Consider

Lucy's first entry to Narnia
Edmund meeting the White Witch (temptation)
Edmund's betrayal
The Stone Table scene (Aslan's sacrifice)
Aslan's resurrection
The final battle
The coronation

Good for students who: Think visually, enjoy finding connections between stories, and like combining analysis with creative presentation

🧬

Character DNA Analysis

Decode what makes characters tick

Create an infographic comparing two characters from the two books. Go beyond surface similarities to analyze what each character reveals about their book's deeper themes.

📋 What You'll Create

Character pair selection (see options below)
5-6 meaningful comparison points (NOT physical appearance)
Evidence from both books for each comparison point
Thematic analysis (50-75 words) for each comparison point
Polished infographic (digital or hand-drawn A3 minimum)

👥 Character Pairs to Choose From

Aslan & Chiron (mentor figures)
Edmund & Percy (flawed heroes/protagonists)
The White Witch & Medusa/Ares/Luke (villains)
Lucy & Annabeth (loyal, brave supporting characters)
Peter & Percy (leaders and heroes)
Or propose your own pairing!

🔍 Meaningful Comparison Categories

Their role in the story
What they symbolize
Character flaws/strengths
How they change (or don't)
Connection to mythology/religion
Their most important choice

Good for students who: Love character analysis, enjoy visual design, and want to explore how different authors create similar character types

✉️

Curriculum Advocacy Letter

Defend the book that deserves to stay

Write a formal letter to the Executive Director arguing which book—The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or The Lightning Thief—should remain in the curriculum. Focus on educational importance, not entertainment.

📋 What You'll Create

Clear position on which book to keep
3-4 strong arguments based on educational value
Evidence from the book supporting each argument
Acknowledgment and response to the strongest counterargument
Formal letter structure (opening hook, body paragraphs, closing)

💡 Argument Categories to Consider

Cultural/historical importance: What does this book teach about its time period or lasting influence?
Religious/mythological literacy: How does it help students understand belief systems that shaped world culture?
Literary merit: What makes this book well-written and worth studying?
Relevance to students: Why does this book matter for young readers today?
Gateway effect: How might this book lead to more reading and learning?

Good for students who: Enjoy persuasive writing, like taking a stance and defending it, and want to think about why we study literature

👨‍👩‍👧 Tips for Parents

This summative assessment allows students to demonstrate their understanding of two fantasy novels through their chosen format. Here's how you can support your student effectively:

✅ Helpful Ways to Support

Discuss the books together: Ask your student to explain the plot, characters, and themes to you. Teaching someone else deepens understanding.
Help them choose wisely: Encourage your student to pick the option that genuinely interests them, not just the one that seems "easiest."
Ask guiding questions: "What evidence from the book supports that idea?" or "Why do you think the author made that choice?"
Provide structure: Help your student break the 240 minutes into manageable chunks with clear goals for each work session.
Encourage planning first: The planning worksheet exists for a reason—completing it thoroughly makes the final product much stronger.

"Can you explain to me how Aslan's sacrifice connects to Christian symbolism?" or "What makes Percy similar to Edmund?" are great conversation starters that help students articulate their thinking.

🚫 What to Avoid

Don't write or create for them: Even with good intentions, this prevents your student from learning and developing their own ideas.
Don't provide your interpretations: Ask questions that help them find their own answers rather than telling them what themes to focus on.
Don't prioritize polish over thinking: A thoughtful argument with simple presentation beats a beautiful product with shallow analysis.

📚 About the Assessment

This assignment assesses Criterion A (Analysing), Criterion C (Producing Text), and Criterion D (Using Language). Students have 240 minutes of class time to complete their chosen option. They will receive a planning worksheet to help organize their thinking before creating their final product.