Fascinating Fables - and How to Write Your Own (Ages 8-12)
A Four-Session Progymnasmata Class on How To Write Your Own Fable taught by Leon Conrad, author of 'Aesop The Storyteller' a book of versified Aesopic Fables (Aladdin's Cave Publishing, 2013)
Leon Conrad
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(228)
What's included
4 live meetings
3 in-class hoursHomework
1-2 hours per week. HW is outlined in the class description above. I will reviewe HW weekly and adapt sessions to take into account individual participants' achievements and needs.Assessment
A component for providing a final written informal assessment highlighting particular strengths and achievements along with opportunities for learning and growth going forward is included in the pricing of the course. Individual assessments typically take at least 20-30 minutes to produce.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 6
Intermediate Level
This course will guide participants through the process of writing a fable. Session 1 will introduce participants to the fable genre. We will also look at the types of characters that pop up in fables - typically (but not always) animals - that symbolise various qualities. Why is this? During the session, participants will choose a topic to base their own fable around and the characters that will feature in their fable. Homework (HW) will be to describe their characters in detail. Session 2 will look at dialogue and the way characters talk - how we can use language to convey character. The visual history of illustrating fables will be introduced in brief. Examples will be drawn from different fables - and the same fable told in different ways to show how setting and era can influence the way in which a character speaks - apart from personality traits. HW will be to write out the dialogue scenes and plan out approaches to illustration. Session 3 will look at the tradition of versifying fables. Examples of the tutor's own work in this area will be shared. Participants will work on producing a short verse to use to introduce and close their fable. HW will be to develop their fable further in poetry and prose and produce an illustrated version of their fable. Session 4 will bring participants' work together, in a final show and tell session. (Photo credit: Title: The fable of the hare and the tortoise by Franz Snyders, oil on canvas, c. 1630; owned by the Prado Museum on deposit to Biblioteca Museu Victor Balaguer, BMVB-8618) https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/the-fable-of-the-hare-and-the-tortoise-franz-snyders/DwGTx8F7AVuzcA?hl=en-GB
Learning Goals
Participants will learn about the fable genre, its history, its main proponents, and the ways in which fables have been used at different times.They will develop writing skills that include personification, dialogue, description, prose and poetry composition, illustration, and matching text and illustration closely.
Syllabus
4 Lessons
over 4 WeeksLesson 1:
Fabulous fables
Session 1 will introduce participants to the fable genre. We will also look at the types of characters that pop up in fables - typically (but not always) animals - that symbolise various qualities. Why is this?
During the session, participants will choose a topic to base their own fable around and the characters that will feature in their fable. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Crafty characters
Session 2 will look at dialogue and the way characters talk - how we can use language to convey character.
The visual history of illustrating fables will be introduced in brief.
Examples will be drawn from different fables - and the same fable told in different ways to show how setting and era can influence the way in which a character speaks - apart from personality traits. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
The va-va-voom of verse
Session 3 will look at the tradition of versifying fables. Examples of the tutor's own work in this area will be shared.
Participants will work on producing a short verse to use to introduce and close their fable. 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Show and tell
Session 4 will bring participants' work together, in a final show and tell session. 45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Supply List
Participants will need a standard stationery kit (writing implements, ruler, paper, eraser), and drawing tools (drawing pens, coloured pens or paints, or supplies relating to any other form of artwork they wish to use to illustrate or create their fable, e.g. paper crafting, felt work, embroidery, paper sculpture, or animation). They will need access to a scanner or camera to submit digital scans or photos of work, and an over-ear gaming-type set of headphones with built-on microphone and a noise-cancelling feature is recommended for best audio quality for communication in classes. Please note that unless students have a very good reason not to have their video on during class, I expect students to be visible and participate actively in classes I teach. The digital classroom is a social space shaped by our intentions and our activity - and I encourage participants to actively build the kind of space they feel comfortable in, and to actively work on creating a space in which others can also feel comfortable being and acting in. Outschool does provide a 'verification' system for those who have good reasons not to participate visually, and I will respect and support that fully. Please consult https://support.outschool.com/en/articles/4063624-learner-verification for further information and contact 'verification@outschool.com' at least a week before the start of your first class to allow time for the verification process to be completed. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Joined May, 2020
4.9
228reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Leon Conrad, LRAM, LTCL, GTCL has over 20 years' teaching experience with a strong track record in supporting gifted and talented, 2E and profoundly gifted students. He has published on the liberal arts-based tradition of education. His books include 'Aesop the Storyteller' (Aladdin's Cave Publishing, 2008); 'Odyssey: Dynamic Learning System' (co-authored with David Pinto) (Liberalis Books, 2015); 'History Riddles' (Liberalis Books, 2015); and 'Story and Structure: A complete guide' winner of 10 literary awards include the IPNE Book of the Year Award 2022, Nautilus Silver Award, Storytelling World Award. The book was a finalist in The People's Book Prize in 2023. Reviews
Live Group Class
$22
weekly or $85 for 4 classes1x per week, 4 weeks
45 min
Completed by 36 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 8-12
6-12 learners per class
