AALL Internet Based Lessons for Adult Learners

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Lesson Title: SOLVE THE RIVER RIDDLE LESSON: THE FARMER, THE GOOSE, THE CORN AND THE HUNGRY FOX 

Learning Level: ESOL all levels

Arizona Standards/Indicators note: Standards and Indicators are not quoted fully; sections are used which relate to the lesson

Pre-lit:

A.  Listening: Comprehends pre-literacy vocabulary in spoken context.

B.  Reading: 3. Recognizes basic sight words. 

D. Writing: 3. Writes basic sight words. 

Functions: N/A

Beginning:

A. Listening: Comprehends beginning vocabulary in spoken context.

B. Reading: Reads and comprehends sentences with beginning vocabulary.

C. Speaking: Practices sentences and vocabulary.

D. Writing: Writes sentences using the vocabulary and structures in the lesson; composes sentences using lesson vocabulary.

Functions: Gives directions.

Supporting grammar: 8. Employs adverbs of time.

Intermediate:

A. Listening: Comprehends intermediate vocabulary in spoken context.

B. Reading: Reads and comprehends sentences with intermediate vocabulary.

C. Speaking: Practices sentences and vocabulary using the vocabulary and structures of the lesson.

D. Writing 3: Writes text.

Functions: Describes events, problems, and situations.

Advanced:

A. Listening: Comprehends vocabulary in spoken context.

B. Reading: Reads and comprehends texts in unfamiliar contexts.

C. Speaking: Practices texts and vocabulary. 

D. Writing: Writes expository texts using the vocabulary and grammar forms in the lesson.

Functions: Expresses an opinion.

Learning Context: Varied: Students may apply problem solving skills in many contexts.

Lesson Overview 
A fable is a short story with a learning purpose--illustrating a moral or general truth about human nature, frequently allegorical, in nature, and often ending with a moral or lesson. In animal fables the moral or general truth is exemplified by the experiences of animals with human characteristics. This is actually a riddle, in which the student participants will jointly reach a solution to the dilemma. This activity is to introduce an old riddle in a fun manner through acting and writing. Internet links provide a graphic description of the riddle and additional fable information.

Instruction
1. Warm-up 
Discuss what a fable is, write a definition on the board, ask the students for fables from their native countries. Tell the students to go to the Internet lesson site with the riddle and activity. If the class does not have access to many computers, the teacher may copy the student lesson sheet.  Make large colorful name tags for the participants. The teacher may use the student activity sheet from this page.

2. Student Activity
Read the riddle or have an advanced student read it to the class. Identify the actors, or ask for volunteers.  The teacher or a student director asks the class members to direct the actors., i.e. a class member may say, "Let the farmer take the fox and the grain over the river."  If an unsafe situation develops, the teacher or student director  (who should be given the answer),  will say, "Gobble gobble" and reset the actors until the solution is found. Students are then directed to the student activity sheet for their levels. After the students reach their group decisions, they proceed to computer word processors and type up the activity. They can type on the sheet, if you have copied the worksheets into a word processing document, or you can download the worksheets for the students. The student's work can be corrected while they are at the computers or they can print out their written work for teacher correction at a later point. Another option is for the students to proof each others' work.

3. Reflective Exercise/Wrap Up
Students are requested to review the activity with their family or students in another class. (Practicing English of course.)

Branching Out Activities
1. Suggested sites to visit about fable are included in the answer/index sheet.
2. Class discussion, investigating additional web sites, further lesson possibilities: can the students develop present day fables? What animals would our presidential, elected officials, teaching staff or Bill Gates be?
3. Conduct an Internet search for references to this riddle and solutions.
4. Suggested sites to visit about fables. Some of these have multiple choice questions which can be taken and printed.
Aesop's Fables on Line
5. Students should be encouraged to use search engines to check the answer to the riddle. Use Internet search engines (www.lycos.com, www.hotbot.com or www.dogpile.com   to verify the answer. Remember that the search terms may include alternate words- goose/duck or corn/grain. 
Student Lesson Page