Up-to-Date Aesop
Subjects
- Arts & Humanities
Language Arts, Literature, Visual Arts
- Educational Technology
- Social Sciences
Civics
|
Grades
K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Advanced
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Brief Description
Students read the original Aesop fables and then rewrite a fable using modern language in a modern setting.
Objectives
Students will
- work as a class to translate one of Aesop's fables into a modern setting and modern language.
- work individually or in small groups to translate another of Aesop's traditional fables into a modern setting and modern language.
- illustrate a fable using art supplies or illustration software.
Keywords
fable, PowerPoint, illustrate, Aesop
Materials Needed
- access to the Aesop's fables Web site (or printouts of fables from the site)
- art supplies or illustration software
- additional technology (optional)
Lesson Plan
Students at the University of Massachusetts took fables from Aesop's Fables Online Collection and reworked them for a modern audience, creating a Web site -- Aesop's Fables -- that offers both versions of the fables. (Note: You will need Flash 4 Player to view these Web pages.)
This simple idea can be used to create an engaging classroom activity in which students work individually or in small groups to rewrite a fable.
Extension activities:
- Students can use art supplies or computer software to create illustrations for the new versions of Aesop's fables and/or use PowerPoint to present the revised fable to the entire class. You might build a Web page similar to the one students at the University of Massachusetts created.
- The Fluency Through Fables Web page offers interactive activities using Aesop's fables to teach and/or practice vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Assessment
Students critique the work of their peers. Each student will be responsible for providing one positive comment about each presentation as well as one suggestion about how the presentation might be improved.
Lesson Plan Source
Education World
Submitted By
Gary Hopkins
National Standards
FINE ARTS: Visual Arts
- GRADES K - 4
NA-VA.K-4.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.K-4.3 Choosing and Evaluating A Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas
NA-VA.K-4.5 Reflecting Upon and Assessing the Characteristics and Merits of Their Work and the Work of Others
NA-VA.K-4.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines
- GRADES 5 - 8
NA-VA.5-8.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.5-8.3 Choosing and Evaluating A Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas
NA-VA.5-8.5 Reflecting Upon and Assessing the Characteristics and Merits of Their Work and the Work of Others
NA-VA.5-8.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines
- GRADES 9 - 12
NA-VA.9-12.1 Understanding and Applying Media, Techniques, and Processes
NA-VA.9-12.3 Choosing and Evaluating A Range of Subject Matter, Symbols, and Ideas
NA-VA.9-12.5 Reflecting Upon and Assessing the Characteristics and Merits of Their Work and the Work of Others
NA-VA.9-12.6 Making Connections Between Visual Arts and Other Disciplines
LANGUAGE ARTS: EnglishTECHNOLOGYSOCIAL SCIENCES: Civics
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Once Upon a Time ... lesson plan page.
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Originally published 09/13/2002
Links last updated 09/12/2007