Why do loiterers blame delay on their active friends? Consider the very question by reading Aesop's 72-word fable "The Traveler and His Dog" and completing a letter-writing activity. As part of a series of audiobooks, the 41-second recording differentiates the passage for all readers and is engaging for everyone.

Concepts

aesop's fables, active reading, letter writing, writing organization

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

english language arts

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Extend the activity by having writers draft a letter to an adult in their lives informing them of their academic progress in class
• Before reading the passage, ask pupils if they've ever been in a situation where they were unfairly blamed and discuss

Classroom Considerations

• Be sure recording is audible to all students

Pros

• Downloadable audio and PDF of the fable scoring a 4.1 on a Flesch-Kincaid readability scale is available for classrooms without Internet access
• Online format makes for a great opportunity to include blended learning within the curriculum

Cons

Common Core

W.5.2.a W.6.2.a W.7.2.a W.8.2.a