• Students use this interactive, multiple-choice activity to become familiar with lesson vocabulary words.

• In each exercise, students read a sentence containing a vocabulary word, then use context clues from the sentence to select the best definition for that word.

• Students must select the correct definition for the current exercise in order to move to the next exercise.

 

1. plodding: walking or moving in a slow, steady way

2. conceited: having too high an opinion of oneself

3. trotted: walked slowly

4. clenched: gripped tightly

5. gazed: looked in a steady way

6. morsel: small bite or bit of food

7. bewildered: confused

• Students are introduced to the genre of fables and are informed that many fables feature animal characters who help us understand human behavior.

• Students learn about two fables and their morals: "The Hare and the Tortoise," which teaches that "slow and steady wins the race," and "The Lion and the Mouse," which teaches that "true friends come in all sizes" and that "no act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

• Students are invited to talk in groups about other fables they have heard or read. They are encouraged to make a chart listing the main events in each fable, describing how the fable ends, and telling what lesson the fable teaches.

• Students then read brief summaries of two very popular Aesop's fables: "The Fox and the Grapes" and "The Crow and the Pitcher."

• Students are directed to print out or copy the worksheet (if needed) before proceeding to the reading selection.

"The Dog and the Bone"

• (Skill: Plot)

• Students read this adaptation of Aesop's fable. In this fable, the main character, Dog, learns to hold onto what is real instead of chasing imaginary things.

• Students complete the worksheet, on which they are asked to write the moral of "The Dog and the Bone."

• Students are introduced to the concept of plot. They then complete a story map that prints with the worksheet.

What is the moral of this fable? Hold onto the things you have instead of chasing imaginary things.

The following information should appear in the appropriate sections of the story map:

Main Character(s): Dog

Setting: a bridge over a slow-moving river

Problem: Dog feels jealous when she sees another dog carrying a bone that is better than the one she has.

Important Events: (1) Dog walks along happily, carrying a bone. She plans to chew on the bone when she gets home. (2) While crossing a bridge, Dog sees what she thinks is another dog in the river. He carries a bone, too. Dog thinks the other dog's bone looks much bigger than hers, so she is jealous. (3) Dog drops her own bone in the river and jumps in, hoping to grab the other dog's bone. (4) Dog finds no dog or bone in the river.

Resolution of the Problem: Dog figures out that what she saw in the river was her own reflection. She promises herself that, in the future, she will hold on to things that are real instead of chasing imaginary things.

Students use this self-evaluation to assess their performance in the reading lesson.

• Students print a worksheet to take home. The worksheet asks them to retell "The Dog and the Bone," "Tortoise and Eagle," or another fable they know to family members. Students are then encouraged to ask family members to share fables or folktales they know. Students choose one of these tales and write down its main characters, setting, and plot.

• Students are asked to bring their notes to class and use them to retell the story.

• You may want to help students organize a Storytellers' Circle and have them take turns telling their stories. Additionally, you may want to have students write down and illustrate their stories and put them in the classroom library.

Students' notes about the fables or folktales told by family members should include the main characters, setting, problem, events, and resolution. If students retell their stories for the class, check their speaking and listening skills. Are they speaking clearly and loudly? Are they reading with proper emotion? Are they listening respectfully?