1. Do Now
Quote day: First, put the quote in your own words. Second, explain whether you agree or disagree and why.
“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.” ― James Baldwin

2. What is a Fable?
Fables are stories intended to teach a lesson, and animals often speak and act like human beings.
LRA 3.1

3. Elements to Remember ANIMALS are usually the main characters
The plot and characters are SIMPLE
Stories teach a MORAL or LESSON
SETTING is common and nonspecific
Author uses PERSONIFICATION
LRA 3.1

4. Example

5. Author’s Purpose
These stories were brief, and told to adults for entertainment.
These stories were passed down from generation to generation.
They provide a common thread through different generations and sometimes even different cultures.
RC 2.2

6. How have fables changed since we were little?
When we were little, fables were meant to tell us stories and just entertain us. Maybe they were there to teach us a lesson, like “The Tortoise and the Hare.”
NOW… fables are used more as social commentaries.
Review: what is a social commentary again?
Where have we seen this in class so far?
Predict: Why do you think an author would use a fable to open their book? Why would they use this to make a social commentary?

7. Today’s objective
We will be reading a fable that is at the very beginning of a book named Silent Spring.
I want you to use the annotation key as we read “A Fable for Tomorrow” in class.
Our objective: I can analyze how an author uses rhetoric to form a social commentary within a fable. I can cite evidence to support my claims.

8. Why annotate?
How many times have you had to read something more than once to comprehend it?
How many times have you found yourself reading the same line over and over again because you were thinking of something else rather than concentrating on what you were reading?
Annotating texts is a great solution to those common problems!

9. Annotation slows down the reader in order to deepen understanding.

10. NOTE: Annotation is not “just” highlighting
NOTE: Annotation is not “just” highlighting. This is probably the most common misconception regarding the annotation process.

11. Annotation Key

12. Make a prediction…
Take 1 minute and turn/talk to your neighbor about what you just read. Talk about what changed in the text.
Make a prediction: What could this be making a social commentary on? Why do you think that?

13. DDT (pesticide)
a synthetic organic compound used as an insecticide. DDT tends to persist in the environment and become concentrated in animals at the head of the food chain. Its use is now banned in many countries.
It became INFAMOUS for it’s effects on the environment.
Basically, DDT stays in wherever it is put. There were claims that it was killing animals in addition to insects and that it was causing cancer.
Now it is banned in the U.S.

14. Knowing about DDT now… What social commentary is being made?
How is she making it?
WHY begin a book that will be largely informational with a fable? What did this accomplish?

15. Group Work: Compare and Contrast
You will have 15 minutes to complete the work in your groups. Afterwards, we will discuss the answers in class.

16. TDQ
Rachel Carson said, ”Humans have a fundamental right to a healthy environment.” Discuss what this means and whether you agree or not. Be sure to back your opinion up with a citation!