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

Lesson 5: The Dog and His Image

by Jean de La Fontaine

Performer: Librivox - Rosslyn Carlyle


A foolish Dog, who carried in his jaw

A juicy bone,

Looked down into a stream, and there he saw

Another one,

Splash! In he plunged... The image disappeared-

The meat he had was gone.

Indeed, he nearly sank,

And barely reached the bank.

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

Lesson 5: The Dog and His Image

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 dog holding a bone in his mouth sees his reflection. Feeling greedy, he tries to grab the bone from his reflection and loses his bone in the water.

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 8 of 'Poetry Coloring Pages for First Grade.'

Activity 5: Act Out the Poem

  • Act out the greedy dog and the events of the poem.
  • Holding a 'bone' in your mouth, look in a mirror and try to take the bone from your reflection.

Activity 6: Create Novel Artwork Based on the Poem

  • One day this week, create artwork showing a bone at the bottom of a stream.
  • 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 Dog and His Image.'
1 / 5

Question 2

What happens in the poem?
2 / 5

Answer 2

A greedy dog tries to steal his reflection's bone, losing his bone in the process.
2 / 5

Question 3

Where does the poem take place?
3 / 5

Answer 3

The poem takes place outdoors, next to a stream.
3 / 5

Question 4

Who are the characters in the poem?
4 / 5

Answer 4

The dog and his reflection.
4 / 5

Question 5

Does the poem teach us anything?
5 / 5

Answer 5

Don't be greedy or you may lose what you already have.
5 / 5

  1. What is the title of the poem? The title of the poem is 'The Dog and His Image.'
  2. What happens in the poem? A greedy dog tries to steal his reflection's bone, losing his bone in the process.
  3. Where does the poem take place? The poem takes place outdoors, next to a stream.
  4. Who are the characters in the poem? The dog and his reflection.
  5. Does the poem teach us anything? Don't be greedy or you may lose what you already have.