AIDE-AGS Exploring Literature Assignment Guide and Key Points
Unit 1 "Fables"
Lesson 1 "Aesop's Fables"
Spend a few minutes going through the Intro to the book Pages vii - xvii. (You will not be quizzed on this but the information is valuable to you in learning how to approach literature)
On Page 1 Read the short introduction to Fables
On Page read Pages 2-3 and answer these three questions: What are other genres of stories? What are the main characteristics of fables? What is the difference between fables and longer stories. (See Key Points below for help)
Scan Pages 4-5; focus on the white boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms in green, learn the meanings of the words.
Scan Page 4 for the white rectangular box that contains the objectives and find out what your learning goals are for fables.
Read Through Pages 4-5. (take notes of important ideas)
Do you know the vocabulary words? (See Vocabulary below for help)
Take the quiz on 01-01 Aesop's Fables (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Review answers on the quiz and print it out. This will be very useful when you are studying for the test.
Lesson 1 Key Points
Vocabulary Terms
fable - a story that teaches a lesson about life, called a moral, often with animals who act like humans.
character - a person or animal in a story, poem, or play.
flat character - a character that is based on a single trait or quality and is not well developed.
plot - the series of events in a story.
moral - a lesson or message about life told in a story.
personification - giving characters such as animals or objects the characteristics or qualities of humans.
symbol - something that represents something else.
idiom - a phrase that has a different meaning than its words really mean.
Key Points
Fables are one genres of stories, others include: suspense, science fiction, realistic, and legend.
Fables were not written down originally. They are usually short and simple. They teach a lesson about life. The characters are often animals who act like people. The characters are flat, or undeveloped.
Fables are and longer stories have characters and plots. However the characters in fables are not as fully described, and the plot unfolds more quickly. All, fables are usually shorter and simpler than longer stories.
Lesson 2 "The Dog in the Manger"
Look at the picture of the dog on Page 6 and read the title. (Develop an image in your mind of what the story will be about)
Read the three sentences in the margin. This will help you to prepare for things that come up in the story.
Read read the story, "The Dog in the Manger"
Look through the story again and ask yourself what the dog wants the hay for and what the cattle want the hay for.
Read the moral at the end of the story. Can you restate it in your own words?
Take the quiz on 01-02 "The Dog in the Manger" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 3 "The Dog and His Reflection"
Look at the picture of the dog on the bottom of page 7. Can you guess what the story is about?
Read the three sentences in the margin on page 7. This will help you to prepare for things in the story.
Read the the story, "The Dog and His Reflection"
Think about these questions: How can you tell this story is a fable? What is the moral of this story? (see below for answers)
Take the quiz on 01-03 "The Dog and His Reflection" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 3 Questions to think about.
Points:
This story teaches a lesson; it is short; its main character is an animal that we do not learn much about. (This makes it a fable)
The moral is that being greedy is very foolish and you know that because it is stated at the end of the story as a separate sentence in italic type.
Lesson 4 "The North Wind and the Sun"
Look at the picture of the man on the top of page 8. Can you guess what the story is about?
Read the four sentences in the margin on page 8. This will help you to prepare for things in the story.
Read the the story, "The North Wind and the Sun"
Think about these questions: Who are the Characters in the Story? What is the setting, or the time and place, of the story? Who wins the contest? (see below to check your answers)
Take the quiz on 01-04 "The North Wind and the Sun" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 4 Questions to think about.
The characters in the story are the North Wind, the Sun, and the Traveler.
The setting is outdoors almost anywhere and the time could be any time the sun is out.
The Sun wins the contest.
Lesson 5 "The Milkmaid and Her Pail"
Look at the picture on the top of Page 9. Any ideas about the plot of the story?
Read the information in the margin on page 9. While you read think about the answers to the questions there.
Read the story, "The Milkmaid and Her Pail"
Answer the questions in the margin. If you can't, see below.
Take the quiz on Lesson 5 "The Milkmaid and Her Pail" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 5 Key Points
Did you learn these Objective?
Are you able to read and Understand fables?
Can you understand the purpose of a moral?
Are you able to identify characters, flat characters, plot, personification, symbols, and idioms?
Lesson 6 "More Fables"
Think about the stories you just read. Why is it important to write down old stories? Why do you suppose people taught lessons with stories about animals?
Scan Pages 12-13; focus on the white boxes, which contain the key vocabulary terms in green, learn the meanings of the words.
Scan Page 12 for the white rectangular box that contains the objectives and find out what your learning goals are for the next two stories.
Read Through Pages 12-13. (take notes of important ideas)
Take the quiz on 01-06 More Fables (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 6Key Points
irony - the difference between what is expected to happen in a story and what does happen.
hero - the leading character in a story, novel, play, or film.
author's purpose - the reason(s) for which the author writes.
We need to write down old stories to preserve them so they will not be forgotten. In earlier times, stories were told by one generation to the next. But since few people now do this, the stories could be forgotten unless they are written down.
People probably taught lessons with stories about animals because they are entertaining and others would listen more eagerly.
Lesson 7 "The King and the Shirt"
Look at the picture of the man on the top of page 14. Can you guess what the story is about?
Read the four sentences in the margin on page 8. Look for the answers to the questions while reading the story.
Read the the story, "The King and the Shirt"
Take the quiz on 01-07 "The King and the Shirt" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 7Questions to think about.
You can develop your own opinion about what it means to be happy.
You may also develop your own moral to the story.
Lesson 8 "How the Fly Saved the River"
Look at the boarder around the story. Can you guess what the story is about?
Read the paragraph in the margin on page 15. Look for the answers to the questions while reading the story.
Read the the story, "How the Fly Saved the River"
Think about these questions: Why do you think the author chose this hero? What do you think is the author's purpose?(see below to check your answers)
Take the quiz on 01-08"How the Fly Saved the River" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 8 Questions to think about.
The hero in the fable is obviously the fly. Most people can identify with the tiny animal against such a large enemy. It wins the day with cleverness
.
Are you able to read and understand fables?
Can you explore how authors use irony to surprise their readers?
Can you identify heroes, irony, and author's purpose?
Lesson 9 "The Singing Turtle"
Read the short objectives in the margin on page 18, These are your learning goals for this next section.
Find the vocabulary terms on Page 19 in the margin and memorize them.
The Singing Turtle was translated from another language, can that cause any problems?
Read the 5 sentences in the margins. Try an answer the two questions while reading the selection.
Read the the story, "The Singing Turtle"
Think about these questions: What is the setting of the story? Where in the story do you find examples of dialect? Why is the fact that the sun has dried the mud a problem for the turtle? Why did the turtle sing this song when Tonton Jean catches him?(see below to check your answers)
Take the quiz on 01-09 "The Singing Turtle" (You may use the book, notes and Key Points for help on the quizzes. NOT ON TESTS!)
Lesson 9 Questions to think about.
The setting is somewhere near a river and it is in the daytime.
Dialect is shown within the songs the animals sing and in the names of Tonton Jean and Sor Mise.
The dried mud is a problem because the turtle had glued the wings to his sholders with mud. When the mud dries, it becoems nothing more than dry dirt that will not hold the feathers to his body.
The turtle sings the song to Tonton Jean to distrct Tonton Jean from punishing him for stealing millet.
Preparing for Unit 1 Test
Turn to Page 28 and read the Unit 1 summary
Turn to Pages 30-31 and answer the questions for the review.
Check your answers with these. (This is for practice you will be graded only on the quiz and tests)
Contact Mr. Marley for extra help if you did not understand any of the questions or answers: jmarley@yksd.com.
Take the Unit 1 Test "Fables"
Review the answers then print the results for your records.
Congratulations, if you completed all the items above, you finished Unit 1!!