Write Your Own

Fable Unit! 6 Easy Steps

54 Task Cards

Table of Contents

PageIntroduction and Standards 2What is a fable? 3Examples of Fable Lessons 4Write your fable in 6 easy steps 5Example of answers for page 5 6A Sample Fable from answer page 7Easy to use graphic organizer 8Write your own fable stationery 9-1154 Fable Writing Prompts 12-21Credits Page 22

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Introduction:Thank you for purchasing this lesson from The Whimsical Teacher!

Here are some ideas for covering this how to write your own fable unit.

First of all, I would introduce the students to the definition of a fable and a moral lesson (found of page 4). Then, I would read the students some “example fables”. I have provided four moral lessons from famous fables, but I did not include the fables. Outline the fact that every fable has a talking animal and a moral lesson at the end of the story. After spending some time discussing these elements, start the fable writing unit on page 6.

I have outlined 6 easy steps for anyone to write their own fable. I have provided sample questions answered and a sample fable on pages 7-8. Page 9 is a graphic organizer for using the 6 easy steps. On pages 10-12, I have provided students with lined paper and lined paper with room for a picture on pages 10-12. Pages 13-21 contain 54 fable writing task cards or “story starters” for students to write their own fables with or the teacher can use them for a “class example”. I would let students write their own fables once they have practiced through out the week writing with their task cards.

Common Core Standards Covered In Unit: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.3Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.2Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.3.3Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.

DOK Level 2: students connect ideas using simple organizational structures (6 step graphic organizer on page 8)

DOK Level 3: students analyze and synthesize the elements of a fable in order to create their own multi paragraph

masterpiece! (final product after completing this unit)

A fable is a short story with talking animals as characters. One

of these animals tries to teach other characters in the story a moral lesson. A moral lesson is

the kind of lesson that teaches us good and bad behavior.

What is a fable?

Is he going to eat us?

I like my new friends!

The Hare and the

Tortoise - Taking things for granted, smugness, or

thinking too highly about yourself will cause you to miss your goal.

Examples of moral lessons from fables:

The Country Mouse and the City Mouse - Thinking that the grass is always greener somewhere else. What’s suitable for you may not be for someone else. Being satisfied with who and where you are.The Golden Touch (King Midas) - Making money for money’s sake is a misguided goal. Money doesn’t buy a “rich” life by itself. If you have your sight on a goal, to the exclusion of those you love, you can

bring great unhappiness.The Sun and the Wind - It’s not always the direct and blustering way that gets things done the best.The Lion and the Mouse - Being smaller than another doesn’t mean you can’t think big or do big things. Even the small can contribute.

How to write your own fable in 6 easy steps!

1. Write down the setting of your fable. The setting is all about where and when your story happens.

2. Choose a character that needs help- either human or an animal.

3. Choose your hero: a talking animal!

4. Write down a problem your 2nd characterhas in the setting.

5. Think of a way that your talking animal #1 can solve character #2’s problem with a moral lesson.

6. After character #2 gets his/her/its problem solved, write down the moral lesson learned.

How to write your own fable in 6 easy steps! Sample Time!

Step 1: Write down the setting of your fable: the where and when. Answer: At school during lunch time

Step 2: Choose a character that needs help- either human or an animal. Answer: an 8 year old girl named Zoey

Step 3: Choose your hero: a talking animal!Answer: A Gorilla!

Step 4: Write down a problem your 1st character has in the setting. Answer: during lunch, a kid steals Zoey’s cupcake

Step 5: Think of a way that your talking animal #1 can solve your first character’s problem with a moral lesson. Answer: The lunch helper is a gorilla named Mrs. Hairyback. Mrs. Hairyback teaches Zoey to talk to the kid named Zack, who stole her cupcake.

Step 6: After character #2 gets his/her/its problem solved, write down the lesson learned and an ending. Answer: Zoey talks to Zack, and she decides to share her lunch with him because he forgot his lunch that day. Zoey learned that people have reasons for bad behavior sometimes. .Mrs. Hairyback smiles at Zoey and Zack sharing their lunches.

A Sample Fable: Part 1:

One day an 8 year old girl named Zoey was eating lunch in the school cafeteria. When Zoey turned to look at the clock, a mean boy named Zack stole a cupcake out of Zoey’s lunchbox. Zoey wanted to hit Zack and take back her cupcake. Right as she clenched her fist to hit him, the lunch lady, Mrs. Hairyback Gorilla came to talk to Zoey. Mrs. Hairyback Gorilla told Zoey that maybe she should try talking to Zack before hitting him.

Part 2:

Zoey took the great gorilla’s advice, and she turned to Zach and politely asked him why he took her cupcake. Zach started crying telling Zoey he was sorry, and he forgot his lunch and he was hungry. Zoey told Zach that from now on, she would share her lunch with him whenever he forgot it. Mrs. Hairyback Gorilla smiled as Zoey and Zach went out to recess together.

My Fable Plans Name: __________________

The Setting: Where? When?Character # 1 who needs help:

Talking animal character who is going to help:

Problem that character #1 needs help with:

How does your talking animal solve the character’s problem: with a lesson:

What’s the moral lesson?

My Fable:Title: ___________

Name: __________________

My Fable Continued…

Name: __________________

My Fable Name: __________________

Write a fable about a pig who helps a baby chicken learn about good table manners.

Write a fable about a tiger who teaches a turtle how to share his toys.

Write a fable about a 4 year old boy named Nate who is helped by a talking parrot.

Write a fable about a crocodile who teaches an 8 year old boy named Troy how to keep his teeth clean.

Write a fable about a mouse who saves a bear from a pack of evil wolves by telling the truth about something.

Write a fable about a lion who helps a mean giraffe learn how to make friends by being kind to others.

Write a fable about an elephant named Sam who helps a snake stop being scared of fires.

Write a fable about a cheetah who teaches a kangaroo named Joey about not cheating on tests.

Write a fable about a dog named Luke who helps his brother learn how to fetch the morning newspaper without ripping it up.

Write a fable about hippopotamus named Louis who helps a 9 year old boy how to chew with his mouth closed.

Write a fable about a rooster who teaches a 7 year old girl named Josie how to be quiet in the library.

Write a fable about cow who helps a farmer learn how to play games with his kids.

Write a fable about an old parakeet who teaches a 6 year old girl named Gia how to be nice to her new baby sister.

Write a fable about cat named Howard who helps a blue duck make friends with a group of pink ducks.

Write a fable about a brown bear who teaches a polar bear how to be a good sport when he loses a football game.

Write a fable about black cat who teaches a big mean dog about how to be polite when he meets new people.

Write a fable about a grasshopper named Jimbo who teaches a 6 year old girl named Cindy about the bad side of teasing.

Write a fable about a turtle that teaches a little boy about respecting his elders.

Write a fable about a goat named Bob who teaches a little boy named Justin how to tell the truth.

Write a fable about lion cub named Eddie who teaches his brothers to stop teasing smaller cubs.

Write a fable about a seal named Frank who helps a 6 year old girl learn how to help her grandma with chores at home.

Write a fable about a wise owl who teaches a baby robin about waiting his turn for breakfast.

Write a fable about a monkey named Julie who helps a little girl named Mary defend herself against bullies.

Write a fable about a duck who teaches a 7 year old boy named Jacob to be kind to animals at the park.

Write a fable about a shark who teaches an octopus how to keep all of his hands to himself even when he gets angry.

Write a fable about snail named Fred who helps a worm learn patience when he is waiting in a long line for food.

Write a fable about a frog who helps a little girl named Mary follow the rules during her first day of school.

Write a fable about a panther who helps a baby mouse take care of his library books.

Write a fable about an octopus who teaches a baby octopus why he should help pick up other people’s trash.

Write a fable about an alligator who teaches a baby hippo how to make friends in the swamp.

Write a fable about a fox named Sammy who teaches a 6 year old girl how to wash her hands after she sneezes.

Write a fable about a hawk who helps a gopher learn how to clean up his messes, so nobody gets hurt.

Write a fable about a fancy peacock who teaches a 5 year old boy why he should wear clean clothes to school everyday.

Write a fable about a dolphin who teaches a fish named Lando how to .stop tattling on other fish at his school.

Write a fable about a sheep named Bill who helps a 9 year old boy named Pablo to stop worrying about his family all the time.

Write a fable about a horse who teaches an 8 year old girl named Glenda how to try new things without being scared.

Write a fable about a blue bird who teaches a baby worm about why she should share with her siblings.

Write a fable about a bumblebee who teaches a dragonfly why he should always listen to his music teacher.

Write a fable about an ant who teaches a little boy to not steal other people’s food.

Write a fable about a fly who teaches a little girl named Tina why its not okay to talk about people when they are not in the room.

Write a fable about a walrus who teaches a penguin to not make fun of others.

Write a fable about a fluffy cat who teaches a baby turtle how to be strong when his parents are gone.

Write a fable about a hawk who teaches a hyena to be quiet during school assemblies.

Write a fable about a zebra who teaches a baby lion ways to respect other animals on the savannah.

Write a fable about a hog who teaches a baby hog why he needs to be happy with what he gets for breakfast and not ask for more all the time.

Write a fable about a kangaroo who teaches a little boy named Kyle to listen to his P.E. teacher or he may get hurt.

Write a fable about a buffalo who teaches a pony why it’s not okay to lie to his mom (even a little bit).

Write a fable about a toad who teaches a little boy to be nice to people who are different from him.

Write a fable about a chicken who teaches a 5 year old boy how to clean up his messes.

Write a fable about a hamster who helps a 6 year old girl named Betty keep her room clean.

Write a fable about a kitten who helps an angry worm, that hates mornings, look for the happy side of each day!

Write a fable about a shark who helps a starfish learn when it is okay to talk in class.

Write a fable about a funny eagle named George who helps a runaway bunny find his way home.

Write a fable about a crow who helps a mean zookeeper learn how to be nice to the animals at the zoo.

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I used Hello fonts, Graphics from the Pond, and Animation Factory Graphics to create this fable unit!

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