Typically taught in a Waldorf second grade classroom, fables not only are part of shared cultural literacy, but they also give learners a chance to study nature alongside literature. Throw in a dash of dramatic play and other creative arts, and you have the perfect conduit for learning for children in the age group-- generally around second grade or ages 7/8-- as they begin to struggle with themes of self identity and strong likes and dislikes. They are beginning to understand human fallibility and right and wrong. While many versions of fables from around the world come with the moral preprinted, in our classroom we will let the story sit for a week so learners can think about the moral of the fable on their own. Grown ups, I'll be sure to post it in the classroom for you in case you want to make it more explicit. Morals are often short, and make good handwriting practice, copywork, needlework, or main lesson book pages. We will be focusing on animal tales from around the world during the 8-week class.

Week 1. The Lion and the Mouse (Aesop's Fable)
FOCUS: Coloring and filling the entire page
Week 2. The Lion and the Woodpecker (Jataka Tale)
FOCUS: Shadow puppets
* Note: We will be looking at reference photos of mice, lions, and woodpeckers
Week 3. The Fox and the Grapes (Aesop's Fable)
FOCUS: Creative dramatics and large motor movements
Week 4. The Tortoise and the Hare (Aesop's Fable)
FOCUS: Drawing with colored pencils
Week 5. The Fish That Were Too Clever (Indian Fable)
FOCUS: Mixed media watercolor painting
Week 6, October 13. The Crow and the Pitcher (Aesop's Fable)
FOCUS: Science experiment
Week 7. The Hedgehog and the Hare (A Fable by Tolstoy)
FOCUS: Modeling
Week 8. The Lion, The Fox, and The Star (An Indian Fable)
FOCUS: Sewing felt stars