Lesson 1: Identifying the Theme of a Fable - Learning Goal - Use
the plot and main idea of a fable to identify the theme. -
Approximately 50 minutes - Necessary Materials - Provided:
Direct Teaching for Lesson 1: Theme Graphic Organizer A, Guided
Practice for Lesson 1: Theme Graphic Organizer B, Guided
Practice for Lesson 1: Theme Graphic Organizer B Answer Key,
Independent Practice Worksheet Not Provided: Aesop’s Fables by
Jerry Pinkney, chart paper, markers will explain that the
“theme” is the underlying meaning or lesson of a story that the
author is trying to convey to the reader. I will also explain
that good readers think about the events that happen in the
story (plot) and what the story is mostly about (main idea) to
figure out the lesson we can learn (theme). I will read “The
Boasting Traveler” (p. 76) from Aesop’s Fables by Jerry Pinkney
aloud. I will use a graphic organizer to chart the the events
from the story and think aloud about what the story is mostly
about to identify the theme of the story