Favorite Science Fiction Short Stories
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated April 05, 2024
Welcome to the second post in my series on Science Fiction! In my previous post, I talked all about this engaging genre, and some tips and tricks for introducing it with your learners. Today I am here to share 5 of my favorite Science Fiction Short Stories that you can use with your middle school students.
For some print-and-teach resources that you can download and use right away with your students, check out the Science Fiction short story units available in my TPT shop by clicking on the image or button below!
Favorite Science Fiction Short Stories
For those of you who have been following this blog over time, you’re well aware of my unwavering passion for teaching short stories. Using engaging short stories in the classroom setting can effectively impart literary elements and nurture critical thinking skills in a variety of ways. Moreover, they lay a sturdy foundation for fostering deep classroom discussions and crafting engaging writing assignments. Among the wide variety of genres, Science Fiction stands as a personal favorite due to its inherent ability to instantly captivate. My middle school students, I’ve observed, enthusiastically immerse themselves in narratives involving space travel, futuristic societies, and encounters with extraterrestrial beings.
In the subsequent sections, I’ll delve into the realm of Science Fiction by sharing my top 5 all-time favorite science fiction short stories. The selection process was unsurprisingly challenging, given the abundance of engaging options available. Therefore, I’ve decided to include a few extras that deserve honorable mentions as well.
Don’t have an anthology that includes these short stories? No problem! Full text versions of all of the stories can be found online with a simple google search!
For more great short stories to use with your learners, check out our posts on favorite short stories, diverse and inclusive short stories, and favorite dystopic short stories!
1- All Summer in a Day – Ray Bradbury
In this engaging short story, young Margot is bullied by other children when she moves from Earth to the rainy planet of Venus. The children are jealous of her for seeing the sun. As the first sunny day the planet has seen in many years approaches, the bullying intensifies, leading up to a heartbreaking finale. This is a great story to use when discussing bullying, as students tend to feel quite strongly for Margot, and can often make connections to their own lives. Also, as it is set on a distant planet, it is a great story to use when discussing setting. In addition, there is a great movie version of this story that can be found on YouTube here. The movie is less than 30 minutes long, making it perfect for classroom viewing.
I have a full lesson to go along with this short story that you can check out in my TPT shop by clicking here or on the image below.
2- Of Missing Persons – Jack Finney
This riveting short story was written by American writer Jack Finney in 1955. In the story, a burned-out bank teller named Charley receives a once in a lifetime chance to leave Earth and travel to Verna, a lush, earthlike planet light-years away.
This is a bit of a longer story, as far as short stories go. However, it is well worth the read. The powerful ending makes space for some really great discussion about human nature.
You can find a full text version of the story online here.
3- Rain, Rain, Go Away – Isaac Asimov
When the Sakkaro family moves next door, the Wright family tries hard to get to know their neighbors. The Sakkaro family is definitely quirky, and go to great lengths to avoid any contact with water. The story ends with a shocking twist when a sudden rainstorm brings an outing to a grisly end.
While this short story is on the shorter side, it definitely draws the reader in right from the beginning. Also, it lends itself to some great before/after and compare/contrast activities.
I have a full unit to go along with this short story available in my TPT shop. You check it out by clicking here or on the image below.
4- Examination Day – Henry Slesar
Legend has it that this story was originally published in Playboy (!??!), but don’t let that stop you from using it in your classroom! In the story, bright young Dickie is sent to write an exam that all children of the future must take. It has a great twist ending that lends itself to some interesting classroom discussion and writing activities about the nature of intelligence.
You can check out the complete unit that I have to go along with this short story in my TPT shop by clicking here or on the image below.
5- A Sound of Thunder – Ray Bradbury
This haunting story set in the future is one of my very favorite science fiction short stories. In the story, time travelers on a hunting expedition visit prehistoric times to shoot and kill a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The story explores the concept of the “Butterfly Effect”, where one small action in the past can have massive consequences in the future. Students who have seen the movie “Groundhog Day” (or other similar themed movies) will be familiar with the concept. However, I think they will find this story to be much darker.
The story pairs well with “Of Missing Persons” by Jack Finney, as both stories discuss the effects of time travel.
You can check out the complete unit I have to go along with this short story in my TPT shop. Simply click here or on the image below.
Looking for more Science Fiction Short Stories?
Check out more of my favorite science fiction short stories below!
- “There Will Come Soft Rains” by Ray Bradbury
- “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes
- “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut
- “The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson
- “The Fun they Had” by Isaac Asimov
- “Dark they were and Golden Eyed” by Ray Bradbury
- “The Veldt” by Ray Bradbury
- “The Pedestrian” by Ray Bradbury
Interested in reading more about teaching science fiction?
Check out my previous post here.
Interested in reading more about teaching short stories?
Check out my previous posts below:
The BEST Short Stories for Middle School
Short Stories for Black History Month
Diverse and Inclusive Short Stories
Looking for some resources to help introduce the genre of science fiction with your learners?
Snag this complete Introduction to Science Fiction resource in my TPT shop by clicking here or on the image below.
Interested in signing up for my email list?
If you are interested in signing up for my email list, you can do so by clicking on the link below. I periodically send out emails with free resources, teaching tips, and exclusive deals. Also, signing up will give you immediate access to some of my best selling Interactive Notebook resources – foldable activities, graphic organizers, and other fun activities.
