You will learn
- Say what fiction is.
- Say what nonfiction is.
- Sort texts into fiction and nonfiction.
- Use clues to decide.
Version 0.2 · expanded edition · built from cited public sources Content is based on the official frameworks and sources listed under Sources and standards. No official endorsement is claimed. Written in the style of common primary school assessments. No exam result is promised.
Student lesson
- Fiction is made up.
- Nonfiction is true.
- Fiction has characters and a plot.
- Nonfiction gives facts.
Words to know
a made-up story
writing about true facts
a person or animal in a story
a true piece of information
1. Discover: Two books
Ayo has two books. The first is about a talking tortoise who wants to fly. The second is about real tortoises: how long they live, what they eat and where they live. “One is a story and one gives facts,” says Ayo.
Think: Which book is fiction? Which is nonfiction?
2. Understand: Made up or true?
Idea 1: Fiction
Fiction is made up. It has characters, a setting and a plot. Animals may talk and magic may happen.
Idea 2: Nonfiction
Nonfiction is about real things and gives facts. It may have headings, photos and captions.
Idea 3: Clues
Ask: Could this really happen? Does it give facts? Are there characters with names and made-up events?
3. Worked examples
Example 1 (I show you): Sort
A talking tortoise wants to fly. Fiction or nonfiction?
- Could it happen?
Answer: fiction
Example 2 (We do it together): Sort
Tortoises can live for many years. Fiction or nonfiction?
- Is it a fact?
Answer: nonfiction
Example 3 (You try): Clue
A book with headings and photos is likely…
Show the steps and answer
- Think about features.
Answer: nonfiction
Did you know?
Some books mix both, like a story that teaches real facts.
Why this matters
Knowing the difference helps you choose books and understand what you read.
4. Explore: Book sort
Sort books and texts.
- Read the titles.
- Decide fiction or nonfiction.
- Give a clue.
- Sort into two groups.
Think about it: what did you notice?
You can sort texts.
5. Practise
Say it in a sentence
Use these starters when you talk about the lesson. Say them out loud.
- This is fiction because ___.
- This is nonfiction because ___.
- The clue is ___.
- I would choose ___.
Guided practice
Question 1. What is fiction?
a made-up story
Question 2. What is nonfiction?
true facts
Question 3. Which has a talking animal?
fiction
Independent practice
Level 1: Start
- A made-up story is ___.
- Writing about true facts is ___.
- A person or animal in a story is a ___.
- A true piece of information is a ___.
- Fiction can have ___ animals.
Level 2: Grow
- Fiction or nonfiction: a dragon story.
- Fiction or nonfiction: how plants grow.
- Fiction or nonfiction: a magic key.
Level 3: Stretch
- Why sort books?
- Can nonfiction have photos?
- Can fiction be true?
Answers are in the answer key below. Try first, then check.
6. Apply: English in everyday life
Find one fiction and one nonfiction book at home.
Show a sample answer
two books
Another one. Write one fiction and one nonfiction sentence.
Show a sample answer
two sentences
7. Common mistakes
Fix: Fiction is made up.
Fix: Facts are true.
8. Lesson summary and revision card
- I can say what fiction is.
- I can say what nonfiction is.
- I can sort texts.
- I can use clues.
9. Check and master
Answer all 14 questions. You will see feedback after each one.
Your result appears here after you answer every question.
10. Key takeaways
- Fiction is made up.
- Nonfiction is true.
- Fiction has characters and plot.
- Nonfiction gives facts.
11. Next lesson
Next lesson: Folktales. Keep going with the next idea in this course.
Exam practice
These questions are written in the style of common school and international primary assessments. Try them on your own, without looking back. Then check your answers in the marking guide. The marks are shown in brackets.
- What is fiction? [1 mark]
- What is nonfiction? [1 mark]
- Give one clue for fiction and one for nonfiction. [2 marks]
- Is a dragon story fiction or nonfiction? [1 mark]
- Explain how to tell fiction from nonfiction. [3 marks]
Total: 8 marks.
Marking guide and model answers
- a made-up story [1]
- writing about true facts [1]
- fiction clue [1]; nonfiction clue [1]
- fiction [1]
- could it happen? [1]; characters/plot vs facts [1]; features [1]
Score guide: 7 to 8 = secure. 5 to 6 = nearly there, revise the parts you missed. Under 5 = work through the lesson again with a grown-up.
Printable worksheet
- A made-up story is ___.
- True facts are ___.
- A person in a story is a ___.
- A true piece of information is a ___.
- Fiction or nonfiction: magic key.
- True or false: nonfiction gives facts.
- True or false: fiction is true.
- Fiction or nonfiction: how plants grow.
- Name a fiction book.
- Name a nonfiction book.
Homework
Sort five books into fiction and nonfiction.
Answer key and marking scheme
| Question | Expected response | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A made-up story is ___. | fiction | 1 |
| 2. True facts are ___. | nonfiction | 1 |
| 3. A person in a story is a ___. | character | 1 |
| 4. A true piece of information is a ___. | fact | 1 |
| 5. Fiction or nonfiction: magic key. | fiction | 1 |
| 6. True or false: nonfiction gives facts. | true | 1 |
| 7. True or false: fiction is true. | false | 1 |
| 8. Fiction or nonfiction: how plants grow. | nonfiction | 1 |
| 9. Name a fiction book. | a story | 1 |
| 10. Name a nonfiction book. | an information book | 1 |
| Total | 10 |
Independent practice answers. Level 1: 1 fiction; 2 nonfiction; 3 character; 4 fact; 5 talking. Level 2: 1 fiction; 2 nonfiction; 3 fiction. Level 3: 1 choose what to read; 2 yes; 3 no, made up.
Quiz answers: 1 B, 2 C, 3 A, 4 B, 5 C, 6 A, 7 B, 8 C, 9 A, 10 B, 11 C, 12 A, Challenge 1 B, Challenge 2 C.
Mastery and remediation
| Objective | Bronze (Developing) | Silver (Proficient) | Gold (Advanced) |
|---|---|---|---|
| O1 Say what fiction is | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O2 Say what nonfiction is | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O3 Sort texts into fiction and nonfiction | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
| O4 Use clues to decide | Shows this with help from an adult or a picture | Does this independently and explains how they know | Explains it clearly and uses it in a new situation |
Courseversity badge thresholds (overall quiz score): Gold = 90–100%; Silver = 80–89.9%; Bronze = 70–79.9%. A badge is never a full record of progress.
If a learner struggles
- Find the misconception: Thinking all stories are true. Fiction is made up.
- Explain another way: use real objects, pictures or actions first, then words.
- Show a simpler example: Use picture covers.
- Guided practice: work through one example together and let the learner try the next one.
- Reassess: use the quiz again or the worksheet.
- Move on when the learner shows Silver-level evidence independently.
For parents and guardians
In this lesson your child learns fiction and nonfiction. You do not need to be an expert to help.
- Visit a library.
- Read both kinds.
- Ask: Is it true?
- Ask “how do you know?” after each answer, and listen.
- Praise effort, not only right answers. Mistakes are how we learn.
- Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than one long session.
Teacher package
1–5. Objectives, prerequisites, materials, preparation, duration
Lesson objectives. Learners will: say what fiction is; say what nonfiction is; sort texts into fiction and nonfiction; use clues to decide.
Prerequisite knowledge. Grade 1 reading skills.
Materials. Chart paper or board, pencils, picture or word cards, a reading book if available. Low-resource options: use chalk or charcoal on a board or wall, drawings in the sand, and objects from the classroom instead of printed materials.
Preparation. Write the key words and examples on the board or on cards before the lesson.
Suggested duration. 45–60 minutes. It can be split into two shorter sessions.
6–9. Teaching procedure, explanation notes, guided and independent activities
Introduction (5 min). Compare two books.
Explanation (10 min). Teach fiction/nonfiction.
Guided activity (10 min). Practise.
Independent activity (10 min). Check.
Assessment and reflection (5 min). Ask each learner to say one thing they learned and how they know it.
Key questions. Could it be real? Does it give facts?
Teacher explanation notes. Move from the spoken word to pictures and then to print. Read aloud often, point to the words, and let learners hear and say before they read and write.
10–12. Differentiation, formative assessment, common misconceptions
Support. Use pictures. Extension. Find mixed books.
Formative assessment. Listen to learners read and explain, ask “how do you know?”, and check the independent work.
Misconceptions. Thinking all stories are true. Fiction is made up.
13–15. Assessment questions, answer keys, marking scheme
Use the quiz, the 8-mark exam practice and the worksheet on this page. All answers and marking guides are in the answer sections above. Re-check every answer before use.
16–19. Remediation, enrichment, homework, teacher reflection
Remediation. Use picture covers. Enrichment. Find books that mix both. Homework. See above.
Teacher reflection. After teaching, record: which ideas learners understood; which misconceptions occurred; which activities worked; which learners need more practice; and what to improve next time.
Sources and standards
This lesson is based on the sources below, and no official endorsement is claimed. Reference starting points: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts, Cambridge Primary and the IB Primary Years Programme. Where a standard code is named, it points to the official framework.
Official standards for this topic area. Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (official site): Grade 2 » Reading: Literature. These pages list the standards that cover this topic area; read them alongside the lesson.
Research used to shape this lesson. Common Core RL.2.10 and RI.2.10 (read and comprehend literature and informational texts); Cambridge Primary English Stage 2 (reading). These sources informed the lesson.