Counting Crows Mr.

Wang
Objective of Lesson: At the end of this lesson, students will be able to learn the story of Aesops fable
The Crow and the Pitcher by reading and listening and analyze story contents based on its texts. Students
will be able to understand the scientific facts related to the story and scientific methods to of experiment.
Grade:

K-4

Time: 45 min

Michigan Common Core Standards:

Language Arts
W.4.9(b): Apply grade 4 reading standards to informational texts (e.g., ''Explain how an author uses
reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text'').
RI.4.1.: Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when
drawing inferences from the text.Technology Integration
Michigan Curriculum Standards:
Science Education
S.IP.04.12.: Inquiry involves generating questions, conducting investigations, and developing solutions to
problems through reasoning and observation.
ISTE Standards:
ISTE 1. a.: Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness.
ISTE 1. b.: Engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital
tools and resources.

Source Materials: ARTSEDGE-Counting Crows. Written by: Genevieve Jackson. Source from:
https://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/lessons/grade-3-4/Counting_Crows#Preparation
PHYS.ORG-Aesop's fable 'the crow and the pitcher' more fact than fiction (w/
Video). Written by: Cambridge University. Source from: http://phys.org/news168786562.html
Teaching Materials:
Digital picture books and the videos about Aesop fable The Crow and the Pitcher.
One computer, and one projector

Engagement 5 min

Part 1-- 5 min

Introduce the well-known fable by Aesop "The Crow and the Pitcher." Explain that the crow in this
fable was also thirsty and felt the same way they had just discussed. He was dying of thirst! Briefly
review that a fable is type of story with a moral or lesson. Explain that the moral of a fable is what the
reader learns from it. Before you begin to read the picture book on the projector, encourage the students to
discover how the crow solved his problem.

Grouping: whole group

Time: 10 minutes

Type: discussion, story reading

Internal assessment.

What is fable?
What do you know about Aesop?
How does the crow solve its problem?

Building Knowledge 20

Part 1 -10 min

Reading the picture book of "The Crow and the Pitcher" on the projector. (Teacher or students) Discuss
what the moral of the story might be. As examples, any of the following morals could apply to this story:

Necessity is the mother of invention

Little by little does the trick
Where there is a will there is a way
Do not give up even when it seems impossible
Try hard; even the most difficult problems can be solved

Grouping: Whole group/small groups

Time: 5 min

Type: Discussion

Internal assessment.

What do you learned from this story?

Where do you find these morals in the story based on texts?
What do you think about the crow in the story?
Is there any story you read has the same moral like this story?

Part 2-10 min

View the film of The Crow and the Pitcher on

(YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0uUAIyyFJ8) . Ask students to compare and contrast the
book and the film.

Internal assessment.
How are two different versions of the story the same?
How are they different?
Which one do you like more?
Why?

Grouping: whole group

Time: 15 min

Type: film watching/discussion

Explore - 10 min

Part 1--10min
Watching videos of real world scientific experiments related to the story "The Crow and the
Pitcher". Finding out scientific facts from these videos. Re-thinking the relationship between real world
science facts and fables stories. Talking about the reason why people create these experiments for The
Crow and the Pitcher. Building ideas about using scientific methods to find out the truth of mystery.

Grouping:

whole group

Time:

10

Type: Video Watching & Discussion

Internal assessment.

Are there any scientific fact in these videos?

Why people create these experiments for the fable story? (Stay Curious!)
Can we use science to explain fable stories?
What are the scientific methods which help us find the truth of the world?
Real life experience?
Evaluation and Closure - 10min

Revisit the concept of fables and morals. Discuss the moral of the story and ask students to think of times
when the moral applied to them or someone they know. Discuss why we have morals in stories and how
can they help us.
Grouping: whole group Time: 10 min

Type: Discussion

Internal assessment
What is fable? What is the moral for this story?
What can we learned from these morals?
Which scientific fact did you learned from this story?
Whats the difference between two version of the story? Which one do you like the most? Why?
Do you think watching videos helps you have better understanding of the story?