Teaching English in the Elementary Grades through Literature

BEEd 3

Teaching fables to students in grades 1 through 6 requires different strategies and

approaches tailored to their developmental stages and abilities. Here are teaching strategies and
methods for teaching fables in elementary grades:
Grades 1-2:
1. Simplified Fables: Start with very short and simple fables with clear moral lessons. Use
fables with relatable animal characters and straightforward narratives.
2. Visual Aids: Incorporate colorful illustrations or picture books to help young students
understand the story and characters better.
3. Storytelling and Read-Alouds: Read the fable aloud to the class and use expressive
storytelling techniques. Encourage students to retell the story in their own words.
4. Character Masks: Have students create simple masks representing the animal characters
from the fable. They can wear these masks while retelling the story.
5. Moral Discussions: Focus on the moral lesson of the fable. Ask students questions about
what the characters did, what they learned, and how the lesson applies to their own lives.
Grades 3-4:
6. Interactive Discussions: Engage students in discussions about the fable's characters, plot,
and moral lesson. Encourage them to express their opinions and relate the fable to real-
life situations.
7. Comparative Analysis: Introduce multiple fables with similar themes but different
lessons. Have students compare and contrast the lessons and character traits in these
fables.
8. Creative Writing: Ask students to write their own fables. They can create animal
characters and craft stories with moral lessons. This promotes creativity and a deeper
understanding of the genre.
9. Role-Playing: Encourage students to act out fables in small groups. This helps them
internalize the moral lessons and develop a deeper connection to the stories.
Grades 5-6:
10. Critical Thinking: Encourage critical thinking by posing open-ended questions about the
fable's moral lesson. Ask students to explain why certain actions led to specific outcomes
in the story.
11. Character Analysis: Have students analyze the characters' motivations and the
consequences of their actions. Discuss how character traits relate to the fable's moral
message.
Teaching English in the Elementary Grades through Literature
BEEd 3

12. Writing Reflections: Ask students to write reflections on the moral lessons in fables,
discussing how these lessons can be applied to their own lives and the world around
them.
13. Comparative Literature: Explore fables from different cultures and time periods. Discuss
how cultural perspectives influence the themes and lessons in these stories.
14. Debates and Discussions: Organize debates or group discussions about the moral
dilemmas presented in fables. Encourage students to defend their viewpoints.
15. Assessment: Assess students' comprehension and critical thinking skills through written
responses, group projects, or presentations where they analyze and interpret fables.
16. Real-Life Application: Help students connect the lessons from fables to real-life
situations, ethics, and decision-making. Discuss how the moral messages can guide their
behavior.
Remember to adapt these strategies to the specific grade level and developmental stage of
your students. The goal is to make fables relatable, engaging, and a valuable tool for teaching
moral values, critical thinking, and reading comprehension.

The Boy Who Cried Wolf by Aesop

Once upon a time, in a peaceful village nestled between rolling hills and green meadows,
there lived a mischievous young boy. This boy was tasked with the important duty of watching
over the village's flock of sheep as they grazed on the hillsides.
At first, the boy took his responsibility seriously. He would sit on a rock and watch the
sheep with a vigilant eye, ensuring that they were safe from harm. However, as the days passed,
he grew bored. The rolling hills seemed to stretch endlessly, and there was seldom any
excitement in his job.
One day, the boy came up with a cunning idea. He climbed to the top of a hill and began
to shout, "Wolf! Wolf! There's a wolf coming to steal the sheep!" The villagers, hearing his cries,
dropped everything and rushed to his aid. They brought sticks, pitchforks, and whatever they
could find to fend off the wolf.
But when they reached the top of the hill, they found no wolf. Instead, they saw the boy
laughing heartily. "Ha! Ha! I fooled you all," he said, "there is no wolf!"
The villagers were angry and scolded the boy for his foolishness. They returned to their
work, shaking their heads in annoyance. The boy couldn't help but chuckle to himself, pleased
with his trick.
Teaching English in the Elementary Grades through Literature
BEEd 3

Days passed, and once again, the boy grew bored. The rolling hills seemed even more
monotonous than before. So, he decided to play the same trick again. Climbing to the top of the
hill, he shouted, "Wolf! Wolf! There's a wolf coming to steal the sheep!"
Once more, the villagers rushed to his aid, only to find the boy laughing at them. "Ha! Ha!
Fooled you again!" he declared.
The villagers were even angrier this time. They warned the boy that if he cried wolf once
more when there was no danger, they would not come to his aid.
Days turned into weeks, and one sunny afternoon, a real wolf came prowling down the
hillside, drawn by the scent of the sheep. The boy saw the menacing creature and panicked. He
cried out as loud as he could, "Wolf! Wolf! There's a wolf coming to steal the sheep!"
But this time, the villagers, remembering the boy's previous false alarms, chose not to
respond. They continued with their work, ignoring his cries for help.
The wolf, unhindered by the villagers, descended upon the flock of sheep and began to
snatch them one by one. The boy watched in horror as the wolf carried off the sheep he had been
entrusted to protect.
The moral of the story is clear: "Honesty is the best policy." The boy's false alarms had
cost him the trust of the villagers, and when a real threat finally appeared, no one believed him.
His lies had consequences, and he learned the importance of being truthful and responsible.

The Lion and the Mouse by Aesop

In a dense and sprawling forest, where tall trees cast deep shadows, there lived a mighty
lion. The lion was known far and wide for his strength and ferocity. He was the undisputed king
of the forest, and all the animals, big and small, feared him.
One day, as the lion was taking a nap under a tree, a small mouse happened to scamper
across his massive paw. Startled and annoyed, the lion awoke with a mighty roar and trapped the
tiny mouse beneath his paw.
The mouse, trembling with fear, pleaded for mercy. "Oh, great lion," the mouse said, "I
beg you to spare my life. I am but a tiny creature, and I mean you no harm. If you spare me today,
I promise that one day, I will repay your kindness."
The lion was amused by the mouse's audacity and decided to grant mercy. He lifted his
paw, and the mouse scurried away as fast as its little legs could carry it.
Time passed, and the lion continued to reign over the forest, while the mouse went about
its daily life. Then, one day, fate took an unexpected turn. The lion found himself ensnared in a
hunter's net. He roared and struggled, but the more he fought, the tighter the net became.
Teaching English in the Elementary Grades through Literature
BEEd 3

Hearing the lion's distress, the little mouse rushed to the scene. With its sharp teeth, the
mouse gnawed through the ropes of the net, setting the lion free. The lion, now humbled and
grateful, thanked the mouse for saving his life.
The mouse replied, "I told you once that I would repay your kindness, and today I have
kept my promise."
The lion realized that even the smallest creatures could be of great help in times of need.
From that day on, he treated all animals in the forest with kindness and respect, regardless of
their size.
The moral of the story is clear: "Kindness is never wasted." Acts of kindness, no matter
how small, can have a big impact and lead to unexpected blessings.