Literature: Fable – JSS1 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

A fable is a narrative with two levels of meaning: a surface meaning (denotative) and a deeper meaning (connotative). It points out a moral truth in a civilised and inoffensive manner. Its characters can be animals that talk and hold dialogue among themselves like human beings. Fables teach lessons such as honesty and obedience.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what a fable is;
2. state two themes found in fables;
3. describe the features of African folktales;
4. write a folktale they know;
5. complete sentences with the adverb that matches a given adjective.

What are the themes of a fable?

A theme is the moral lesson a story teaches. Two themes are:

1. Honesty is a great virtue.
2. Obedience to instruction pays.

What are the features of African folktales?

African folktales are usually didactic, entertaining and sometimes magical. Characters can be animals that talk and hold dialogue among themselves like human beings.

Evaluation

Write any folktale you know.

General evaluation: adverbs

Find the adjective in the first sentence and fill in the blanks with the corresponding adverb.

1. He is a bad writer. He writes ____.
2. Jane is a nice guitar player.
3. He plays the guitar ____.
4. He is a good painter. He paints ____.
5. She is a quiet girl. She does her job ____.
6. This exercise is easy. You can do it ____.

Write the principal a letter of permission to be absent from school.

Assignment

1. Write ten sentences and identify the adverbs in them.
2. Write a letter to a local publishing firm in your area, reporting a recent incident that happened around you.