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Birds of a feather, an interdisciplinary unit: Language Arts wing

This lesson, which features Mark Twain's “Jim Baker's Blue-jay Yarn,” is part of an interdisciplinary unit on birds that contains math/science and language arts components. In the language arts wing, students will explore dialects and personification through this very entertaining tall tale full of the antics of talking blue-jays.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Janet Fore.

Elements of a fable

In this lesson students will examine the elements of a fable. Students will use their understanding of fable elements to create an original fable and present it in dramatic form. This lesson includes modifications and alternative assessments for Advanced Limited English Proficient students.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7 English Language Arts and English Language Development)

By Kate Boyce.

Modern folk tales: Playwriting

Working in teams, students will rewrite short folk tale or fable plays, modernizing them. Then, they will present the old and new versions of the play.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–4 English Language Arts and Theater Arts Education)

By Dayle Payne.

The Colored State Normal Schools

In North Carolina in the New South, page 4.6

Excerpt from the catalog of the North Carolina Colored State Normal Schools (now Winston-Salem State University, Fayetteville State University, and Elizabeth City State University), 1906. Includes historical commentary.

Format: book/primary source

It's a zoo out there!

In Proto-ZOO-ology: A problem-based protist inquiry unit, page 3

This lesson is part of the unit "Proto-ZOO-ology: A problem-based protist inquiry unit." In this lesson, students learn about the diversity of protists.

Format: lesson plan (grade 7–8 Science)

By Cate Colangelo.

The role of Mexican folklore in teaching and learning

In Bridging Spanish language barriers in Southern schools, page 2.4

One way teachers can connect with students of Mexican origin is by understanding the cultural knowledge they bring with them into the classroom, including the stories, proverbs, and legends they've learned. Learn more about Mexican folklore from this booklist and collection of online resources, and share this rich oral tradition with all your students.

Format: article

By Dayna Durbin Gleaves.

Resources on the web

Aesop's Fables: Online collection

A collection of over 655 Aesop's Fables and related resources. Selected fables are accompanied by images and audio. This website also includes works by L. Frank Baum, Hans Christian Andersen, and Charles Dickens. (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: John Rogers

Masks and Aesop's fables

This ARTSEDGE lesson is based on a study of Aesop's Fables. Although Aesop's fables are over 2,600 years old, the stories—and their morals—are still relevant today. In this lesson, students learn a fable, make simple masks, and retell the fable... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–3 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Theater Arts Education)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Aesop and Anase: Animal fables and trickster tales

In this lesson from EDSITEment, students will become familiar with fables and trickster tales from different cultural traditions. They will explore how folktales employ animals in different ways to portray human strengths and weaknesses and how this wisdom... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 English Language Arts)

Provided by: EDSITEment

Fables and trickster tales around the world

This lesson plan from EDSITEment introduces students to folktales, such as fables and trickster tales, from around the world. Students become familiar with different folklore traditions and genres, as well as the process of the oral transmission of culture... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)

Provided by: EDSITEment

Style: Translating stylistic choices from Hawthorne to Hemingway and back again

This lesson that focuses on stylistic devices can be taught in conjunction with the literature of Nathanial Hawthorne or Ernest Hemingway. After the teacher discusses how Hawthorne's and Hemingway's styles are distinctive, students are encouraged to find... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 9–11 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Guided comprehension: Knowing how words work using semantic feature analysis

This lesson from ReadWriteThink introduces students to the comprehension strategy of knowing how words work. Students learn semantic feature analysis, a strategy that teaches them to identify characteristics associated with related words or concepts. In... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Baldwin Online Children’s Literature Project

Read and enjoy stories, legends and myths that are considered classics for children. (Learn more)

Format: website/general

Provided by: Lisa Ripperton

Myths, Folktales and Fairy Tales Internet Project

Creative, how-to guide to writing folktales, fairy tales, and myths, scaffolded by expert-led writing workshops. (Learn more)

Format: website/activity

Provided by: Scholastic