FABLES

Essential Question Why do we tell stories?

What is a fable? Listen to some examples of fables:  Go to  Find the list of Fables under the heading “Aesop’s Fables” and the picture.

The Tortoise and the Hare Click on the link that says “The Tortoise and the Hare.” This is a fable that you might be familiar with. Watch the story listening carefully.

The Lion and the Mouse Click on the link that says “The Lion and the Mouse.” Watch the story listening carefully.

Compare and Contrast Discuss with your partner how these stories are the same and how they are different. Complete a Venn Diagram showing how they are the same and different.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf Now listen to “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.”  Discuss with your partner: How is this story the same as the other two? How is it different?

Definition What is a fable?  Work with your partner to come up with a definition for fables.  Write your definition on the back of your Venn Diagram.

More Examples Now choose another fable on this website to watch or go to to listen to one or to to read one.

Check your Definition Does this fable fit your definition of fables, or do you need to change your definition? Make changes if you have a better idea.

Enjoy More Examples! Watch, listen to, or read a few more fables. Look at your definition after each one and see if you still think your definition is correct. Change your definition if you to need to.

Check Your Definition Now go to Look at their definition of fables at the top and the information about characters in fables. Read and discuss it with your partner. How does their definition compare to yours? Were you correct? Do you need to change your definition? Make changes if you need to.

Check Your Definition Again Go back to and click on “Who Was Aesop?” Aesop was the most famous storyteller of fables. This short clip tells about him and gives another good definition of fables. Use this information to check your definition again and add to it or change it if you need to.

Activity Now that you know what a fable is, choose one more to watch, listen to, or read. Draw a picture of the fable and then retell the fable to your partner.

Fables Assessment To show that you understand what a fable is, work with your partner to write your own fable and present it to the class.  Discuss your ideas for the fable.  Create a fable with your partner and write it down.  Share your fable with the class. You may choose to:  create illustrations to show the class while you read it aloud  act it out as a play  present it as a puppet show.  After your presentation to the class, they will identify your characters and the moral in your story.

Assessment Rubric 123 Characters The characters in the student’s fable are people. The characters in the student's fable are something other than people or animals. The characters in the student's fable are animals that speak and act like people. Moral The fable does not have a moral. The student made an attempt at a moral, but it is unclear. The fable has a clear moral. Presentation Students did not present their fable. Students presented their fable, but it was hard to follow, hear, and/or understand the presentation. Students presentation was interesting and well rehearsed. The reading was loud and clear so the fable was easy to hear and understand.

Essential Question Assessment  Discuss the essential question with your partner. Each partner should have a turn to share their ideas.  Join with another set of partners and share your ideas with each other to see if they have any ideas that are different from yours.  In your journal, write your answer to the essential question.

Assessment Rubric 123 Essential Question Answer Student makes no attempt to answer the essential question. Student attempts to answer the question, but the answer is unclear or unrelated to the question. Student answers the essential question with ideas that are clear and relevant to the question.

Essential Question Follow-Up During the year, we will be studying other genres of literature such as folk tales, tall tales, and fairy tales. After studying each genre, we will answer the essential question for that genre. We will compare our answers for each genre and see if they are the same or if there are different ideas for each genre. Doing this will help us understand why there are so many different genres of literature and why they are important.