Aesop's Fables Activities Reading Comprehension Passages & Writing Sub Plans
This oh-so-helpful Aesop’s fables reading and writing unit is packed with activities that meet the standards for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade! Students will practice reading comprehension skills, compare and contrast Aesop’s fables, practice writing complete sentences, learn how to write a summary, identify parts of speech, write their own fable, and so much more!
Perfect to leave as sub plans!
This resource comes with a variety of fables and activities that you can add to any traditional literature unit or leave as sub plans. You can follow the daily layout included or pick and choose the activities you want to use. This unit is very adaptable and accommodating! You do not have to follow the guide included, however, it is very useful to leave for a substitute if you need to be out. All activities can be completed individually, with a partner, or as a whole-group lesson.
Follow the ready-made lesson plans or pick and choose from the activities included.
Flexible Use!
This fable unit comes with a week-long layout and a recommended use for the activities that are included. A daily lesson plan guide with notes is included but can easily be modified to meet the needs of your students and daily schedule.
5 Days of Lesson Plans Ready to Go! Teacher Guides and Notes Included!
These 5 day step-by-step daily lesson plans are easy to follow and perfect for teachers or substitutes. The teacher guide and notes include a daily breakdown of materials to prep, materials needed, and an outline of each lesson.
Reading and Writing Skills Included in this Unit:
- reading comprehension
- text-dependent questions
- written comprehension
- vocabulary practice
- theme vs. moral
- character traits
- summarizing
- context clues
- making inferences
- drawing conclusions
- point of view
- figurative language
- synonyms and antonyms
- compare and contrast
- parts of speech
- writing dialogue
- types of writing
- writing prompts
- dictionary skills
- story elements – characters, setting, problem, solution
Included in download:
- Table of Contents with Page Numbers for Easy Printing
- Daily Teacher Guides and Notes for Each Lesson
- Fables Classroom Poster with Definition
- Fables Vocabulary Cards (perfect for pocket charts)
- Who Was Aesop? Reading Comprehension Passage with Text Dependent Questions
- Fables Booklet for Students (complete, cut, and staple together)
- Fables Vocabulary Practice with Recording Sheets
- 19 Different Fables Story Cards (laminate for durability)
- Compare and Contrast Fables Activity
- Key Fables Vocabulary and Sentence Writing Activity
- Super Fable Summary Activity
- Who Was Aesop? Dictionary Dig Partner Activity
- Parts of Speech Word Hunt Activity
- Fable #1: The North Wind and the Sun Reading Comprehension Passage with Questions (use as practice or an assessment)
- Fable #2: The Dog and His Shadow Reading Comprehension Passage with Questions (use as practice or an assessment)
- Fable Writing Activity
- Fables Task Cards with Recording Sheets (additional/optional activities)
Perfect For:
- Traditional Literature Unit
- Whole Group Instruction
- Literacy Centers
- Writing Centers
- Partner Work
- Individual Desk Work
Breakdown of Daily Lesson Plans
Day 1 – Introduction
- Introduce Fables Classroom Poster with Definition
- Introduce Fables Vocabulary Cards (display in a pocket chart, use as a matching game for a class warmup, or add to a vocabulary center)
- Who Was Aesop? Reading Comprehension Passage with Text Dependent Question
- Fables Booklet for Students (2 different versions are included: Version 1: Information is already filled in. Students color, cut, and staple together. Version 2: Booklet pages are blank. The teacher guides students as they fill in the information.
Day 2: Review Vocabulary and Fables Booklet, Compare and Contrast Fables
- Review – Fables Vocabulary Cards and Fables Booklet
- Students complete Fables Vocabulary Practice with recording sheets
- Students choose 2 Aesop’s Fables from the 19 different Fables Story Cards and complete a Compare and Contrast Fables Activity (student will compare and contrast the characters, settings, problems, and resolutions from the 2 different fables)
Day 3: Review Vocabulary, Writing Summaries, Dictionary Skills
- Review – Fables Vocabulary
- Students complete Key Fables Vocabulary and Sentence Writing Activity, students will write a complete sentence with each vocabulary word.
- Students choose 1 Aesop’s Fable from the Fable Story Cards and complete the Super Fable Summary Activity.
- Students complete the Who Was Aesop? Dictionary Dig Partner Activity (covers dictionary skills)
Day 4: Review Vocabulary, Parts of Speech Word Hunt, Fable #1 Assessment: The North Wind and the Sun
- Review – Fables Vocabulary
- Students choose 2 Aesop’s Fables from the Fable Story Cards and complete a Parts of Speech Word Hunt Activity.
- Fable #1: The North Wind and the Sun Reading Comprehension Passage with Questions (can be used as practice or assessment)
Day 5: Review Vocabulary, Fable #2 Assessment: The Dog and His Shadow, Fable Writing Activity
- Review – Fables Vocabulary
- Fable #2: The Dog and His Shadow Reading Comprehension Passage with Questions (can be used as practice or assessment)
- Fable Writing Activity (perfect for centers or individual desk work) – students choose a card with a moral on it, complete the fable writing guide, and write their own fable.
Additional/Optional Activities:
- 12 Fables Task Cards with Recording Sheets
- Students will choose from the Fables Story Cards to complete the directions on each task card.
- Perfect for early finishers, center activities, or follow-up activities
Save Ink with the Black and White Version:
All color pages including clipart and borders are also available in a black and white version that you can print on colored paper or card stock.
This 5-day fables unit includes meaningful and rigorous reading skills activities that align to a variety of standards for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. The time-saving ready-made lesson plans, teacher guides, notes, and list of daily materials needed make implementing this unit and the activities easy!
