Lessons & Units :: Theme 2nd Grade Unit

Lesson 2: Which Story Matches the Given Theme?

Lesson Plan

Aesop's Fables | 760L

Aesop's Fables
Learning Goal
Determine which story matches a given theme and support their choice with text evidence.
Duration
Approximately 50 minutes
Necessary Materials
Provided: Direct Teaching Theme Graphic Organizer D, Direct Teaching Theme Graphic Organizer E, Guided Practice Theme Graphic Organizer F, Guided Practice Theme Graphic Organizer G, Independent Practice Worksheet
Not Provided: Aesop’s Fables by Jerry Pinkney, chart paper, markers

  • Teacher Modeling

    will provide students with the theme (write on chart paper or on the board): “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I will explain that I will read two stories aloud and decide which story fits this theme by thinking about the plot and main idea of the two stories. I will read “The Tortoise and the Hare” from Aesop’s Fables (p. 19) and chart the plot and main idea (example graphic organizer D provided). I will then read “The Fox and the Stork” (p. 46) aloud and chart the plot and main idea of the story (example graphic organizer E provided). (See Direct Teaching Graphic Organizers in Teacher and Student Materials below.) I will decide that the theme, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” is the theme of “The Fox and the Stork.” The main idea and plot of “The Fox and the Stork” support this theme.

  • Think Check

    Ask: How did I determine which story fit my theme? Students should respond that you read each story and charted the plot and main idea of each. Then you thought about which main idea and plot supported your theme.

  • Guided Practice

    will read “The Goose and the Golden Eggs” from Aesop’s Fables (p. 50) and “The Shepherd and the Wild Goats” from Aesop’s Fables (p. 52). After reading each story, we will complete the graphic organizer by identifying the plot and main idea of each story. (Example Theme Graphic Organizers F and G are provided in Guided Practice Graphic Organizers below.)

  • Independent Practice

    will decide which story (“The Goose and the Golden Eggs” or “The Shepherd and the Wild Goats”) fits the theme, “Don’t neglect old friends for new ones,” and write an explanation of why that theme fits the story you chose. (Student Independent Practice Worksheet is provided below.)

Build Student Vocabulary conceited

Tier 2 Word: conceited
Contextualize the word as it is used in the story “A conceited hare boasted about her speed to everyone who would listen.”
Explain the meaning student-friendly definition) Conceited means too proud. If someone is conceited they have a high opinion of themselves. The hare was described as conceited because her opinion of herself was too high.
Students repeat the word Say the word conceited with me: conceited.
Teacher gives examples of the word in other contexts He is so conceited that he thinks anyone will be friends with him. She is so conceited that she thinks she is the prettiest person in the world.
Students provide examples Would you like to be known as a conceited person? Why or why not? Start by saying, “I would (or would not) like to be known as a conceited person because _____________________.”
Students repeat the word again. What word are we talking about? conceited
Additional Vocabulary Words boasted, bystanders

Build Student Background Knowledge

After reading the fable “The Goose and the Golden Eggs,” ask your class why gold is valuable. Explain to your students that gold is one of three kinds of precious metals—gold, platinum, and silver. One reason gold is so valuable is because it is so rare; it is hard to find gold in nature. Another reason is because it is difficult for nature to change it. It does not corrode, rot, or turn green. Also, it is easy to shape with heat, which can be used to form it into coins or jewelry.

Texts & Materials

Standards Alignment

(To see all of the ReadWorks lessons aligned to your standards, click here.)

User Comments

Theme and Main Idea can be a little confusing at times...I love the way these passages are presented for lessons.

Submitted by annette.hyder_2311338 on 10/26/16