Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 11: The Fox and the Grapes

by Jean de La Fontaine

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle


Rosy and ripe, and ready to box,

The grapes hang high o'er the hungry Fox.-

He pricks up his ears, and his eye he cocks.



Ripe and rosy, yet so high!-

He gazes at them with a greedy eye,

And knows he must eat and drink-or die.



When the jump proves to be beyond his power-

"Pooh!" says the Fox. "Let the pigs devour

Fruit of that sort. Those grapes are sour!"

story image

    Poetry of Fables, Fairies, and Fauna Fables, Fairies, and Fauna    

Lesson 11: The Fox and the Grapes

by Jean de La Fontaine

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

  • Read or listen to the poem.
  • Review the synopsis.
  • Complete the enrichment activities.
  • Study the review questions.

Synopsis

A fox tries to get some grapes but they are out of reach. The fox says the grapes are sour and he doesn't really want them anyway.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite the Title, the Poet's Name, and the Poem

  • Each day this week, recite aloud the title of the poem, the name of the poet, and the poem. Instructors may need to prompt children line-by-line.

Activity 2: Study the Poem's Pictures

  • Study the pictures and describe them in your own words.

Activity 3: Narrate the Poem

  • After reading or listening to the poem, narrate the poem events aloud using your own words.

Activity 4: Color the Poem   

  • Click the crayon above, and complete page 14 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Activity 5: Create Novel Artwork Based on the Poem

  • One day this week, create artwork showing a big bunch of delicious grapes.
  • Use paints, crayons, pastels, Legos, blocks, or Play-Doh to create the artwork.

Review

Question 1

What is the title of the poem?
1 / 5

Answer 1

The title of the poem is 'The Fox and the Grapes.'
1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the poem?
2 / 5

Answer 2

A fox claims a bunch of grapes are sour because he can't have them.
2 / 5

Question 3

Where does the poem take place?
3 / 5

Answer 3

The poem takes place outside, near some grape vines.
3 / 5

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?
4 / 5

Answer 4

The fox.
4 / 5

Question 5

Does the poem teach us anything?
5 / 5

Answer 5

We sometimes lie to ourselves to cope with failure.
5 / 5

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Fox and the Grapes.'
  2. What happens in the poem? A fox claims a bunch of grapes are sour because he can't have them.
  3. Where does the poem take place? The poem takes place outside, near some grape vines.
  4. Who are the characters in the poem? The fox.
  5. Does the poem teach us anything? We sometimes lie to ourselves to cope with failure.