Morals, Messages & Lessons

Teacher Guidelines ▶ pages 1 – 2

Instructional Pages ▶ pages 3 – 5
Activity Page ▶ pages 6
Practice Page ▶ page 7
Grade Level: 1-3

Homework Page
Answer Key
▶
▶
page 8
page 9 - 10
 Classroom Procedure: Approximate Grade Level: 1 – 3

1. Ask students: Why do you read stories? Objectives:

2. Allow for responses and discussion. Ask: What are some The students will be able to identify the central
things you learn when you read stories? message, moral, or lesson of a story or other
3. Allow for responses and discussion. Ask: Do you ever learn piece of writing. The students will be able to
about things that can help you? What are some examples? write a short story with a message.
4. Allow for responses and discussion. Introduce Morals, Common Core State Standards:
Messages, and Lessons.
5. Distribute Morals, Messages, Lessons content pages. Read CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
and review the information with the students. Ask students CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2
to identify the clue words found in the content examples CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.3.2
that will help them discover the moral or message. Save
the final question for the lesson closing. Use the additional Class Sessions (45 minutes):
resources to enhance understanding. At least 2 class sessions.
6. Distribute Activity page. Read and review the instructions.
Review and explain each of the listed lessons with the Teaching Materials/Worksheets:
students. Pair students. (As an option, the students may Morals, Messages, Lessons content pages (2),
orally share the finished story with the class without writing Activity page, Practice page, Homework page
it out on paper.)
7. When each pair of students read their completed stories, Student Supplies:
the class will try to guess its moral, message, or lesson. handouts
Ask students what words or sentences helped them to
discover the message of the stories. Prepare Ahead of Time:
8. Distribute Practice page. Check and review the students’ Pair students for the activity. Copy handouts.
responses.
9. Distribute the Homework page. Remind students to read Options for Lesson:
the stories with an adult family member or friend to help During the lesson, use current reading content
discover the message of each fable.
or other fables and short stories as practice
10. In closing, ask students: What story can you tell that can for the students. Create one class story for
be used to teach another person about something? the activity. Students may work alone or in
11. Allow for responses and discussion. Encourage students groups for the activity. Assign each pair of
to think about something that happened in their life when students one of the messages for the activity.
they learned a valuable lesson. (Use touching a hot stove Create a booklet of completed stories from the
as an example.) Remind students that events in life can activity. Invite parents to the class for Story
turn into stories that can help other people.
Day, parents share a story with a message for
12. Ask students to share a favorite story that was told to them the class. Accessing the Internet, the students
that helped them learn a moral, message, or lesson. read other fables by Aesop.
13. Allow for responses.

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 Teacher Notes
The lesson introduces young students to the messages, lessons, or morals of a story, and how to identify
them. Students listen to or read many stories but may often miss the moral or message being conveyed by
the story. Morals and lesson are not just found in fables, but can be found in many stories a child reads or
hears. Though, most students will enjoy a well-written story, it is also important for them to understand the
message or lesson that can be learned from the story.
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Additional Resources:
CONTENT:
http://www.learningfarm.com/web/practicePassThrough.cfm?TopicID=88 (Interactive)
http://ptgmedia.pearsoncmg.com/imprint_downloads/merrill_professional/allyn_9780132907538.pdf
http://www.cpalms.org/Public/PreviewResourceLesson/Preview/54947
https://www.pdesas.org/module/content/resources/4581/view.ashx
WORKSHEETS:
https://www.education.com/resources/central-message-lesson-or-moral-in-fiction-texts/
http://www.ereadingworksheets.com/free-reading-worksheets/theme-worksheets/ (older students)
http://www.paterson.k12.nj.us/11_departments/language-arts-docs/resources/Reading%20Resources/
Story%20Elements/Theme/Theme.pdf
VIDEOS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwIGOfWRKpw (3 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sy5-7SpoGc (2 min)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXPbijjMnV8 (4 min)

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Morals, Messages and Lessons
Why Read a Story?
Why do you read stories? You probably enjoy the action and events of the story. Maybe you like one or more of
the characters. Stories may make you laugh, become sad, or remind you of things in your life. Everyone reads
stories for different reasons, but everyone is usually entertained by a story.

READ THE FOLLOWING SHORT STORY:

A large oak tree was tipped over by the
wind. It fell in some tall grass. The oak
tree spoke to the tall grass, “You are so
light and weak. Why aren’t you tipped over by the
wind?” The tall grass said, “You, oak tree, stand stiff to fight the wind, and end
up falling. We change by bending with the wind, and still stand tall.” The oak tree
found out that being stiff will hurt you, while changing will help you.

The story includes two characters, the oak tree and the tall grass. The tree fell over into the grass and they
began to talk to each other. The story may be interesting because trees and grass usually do not talk with
each other. The story is entertaining.
However, this story and many stories include something else if you read them carefully. Nearly every story
can help you learn about something. The story above is called a fable. It is one of Aesop’s Fables, which
are stories with important messages for the reader. There are more than 600 Aesop’s Fables which are
hundreds of years old. They have been entertaining people of all ages.
Short stories such as Aesop’s Fables, and many other stories, long and short, often include a moral, message,
or lesson. This means you can learn something as you read the story, or when you finish reading the story.
What is the message in the above story with the oak tree and tall grass? Can you guess? The large tree was
tipped over by the wind because it stands stiff and does not bend. The grass could bend and move with the wind.

The message is given in the last line of the fable: The oak tree found out that
being stiff will hurt you, while changing will help you.
The message for the reader- You can change by bending, and still stand tall.
Sometimes it is necessary to make changes in your life.

In many stories, sometimes the moral, message, or lesson is not easy to find. However, if you read a story
carefully, it will be much easier to find the moral, message, or lesson.

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Finding Morals, Messages, and Lessons
Is there a difference between the moral, message, or lesson of a story?
Nearly all stories include one of them and they will help you learn about things.
• The moral of a story is usually related to right and wrong behavior.
Most often, the moral of a story will try to teach the reader right
behavior. The story above includes a moral that says: “Being able
to change is right behavior.”
As you read a story, identify
• The message of a story is nearly the same as the moral of the the characters, look for
story. It is what the story is trying to tell you. For example, if clue words that may help
read a story about air pollution, the message of the story might you find the message,
be “Do not litter.” moral, or lesson, and then
ask yourself the following
• The lesson of a story also includes something you can learn. It questions:
can teach you how to do something or can share new information
with you. A story about tigers may teach you what they like to eat, vv What is the story trying to
where they live, or how fast they can run. teach me?

Sometimes you might get confused whether a story is teaching you vv Have the characters
a moral, message, or lesson, but that’s okay, because each of them changed or learned
will teach you something. something?

vv Is there something new I

have learned?

vv What can I learn from one

or more of the characters?

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There may be some stories that are not written to teach something, but have been written to entertain you.
However, you can probably still learn something if you read the story carefully. Read each of the following
short stories and try to discover the moral, message, or lesson of the story.

An Eagle caught a Snake in his A Peacock was proud of

claws to eat it. The Snake fought its colorful feathers. The
back and wrapped around the Peacock teased the Crane
Eagle to crush it. A man saw the because his feathers were
fight and helped the Eagle get free. white. The Crane said, “True,
In revenge, the Snake spit poison but I can fly high in the sky,
into the man’s cup. The Eagle and you walk below like a
knocked the cup out of the man’s chicken.” Then, the Peacock
hand and saved him from the learned that what you can do
poison. The Snake found out that is more important than how
one good action leads to another. you look.

There are 3 characters, an Eagle, Snake, and There are 2 characters, a Peacock
a man. The man helped the Eagle, and in and Crane. The Crane was teased,
return the Eagle helped the man. The clue which is wrong behavior. However,
words, found out, tell you a character will even though his feathers were not
learn something, which means you can learn as colorful, the Crane could fly but
something too: One good action leads to the Peacock could not. The keyword,
another. learned, tells you: What you can do is
more important than how you look.

There are many stories you have read, or will read, that contain morals, messages, and lessons. The more
you read, the easier it will be to identify each, and you will not only be entertained by the story, but you can
learn something too.

What story can you tell that can be used to

teach another person about something?

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 Activity Name __________________________ Date _________

Instructions
1. You will work with a partner to write a new short story.
2. Choose one of the following morals, messages, or lessons for a focus of the story:
a. It is best to prepare ahead of time. h. Be sure to get enough sleep each night.
b. Things are not always what they seem. i. It is important not to waste water.
c. Do not judge a book by its cover. j. Eating healthy foods is important.
d. Sometimes it is best to mind your own k. Actions speak louder than words.
business.
l. You cannot please everyone.
e. Honesty is the best policy.
m. There are two sides to every story.
f. Be responsible for your actions.
n. An education will last forever.
g. Beauty is only skin deep.
o. Think before you act.

3. When people read your new story, they should learn one of the above messages.
4. The story does not need to include the exact message above, but the words and actions of the characters
will help a reader learn the moral, message, or lesson.
5. In the space below, write out some ideas: Who are the characters? Will they be people or animals?
What will they say or do? What will happen in the story for the reader to learn a lesson or message?
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
6. When you have a final idea, create a rough draft of the story and then write a final copy.

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 Practice Name __________________________ Date _________

Match each mini-story to its correct moral, message, or lesson.

1 The boy was at the end of the line for a drink at A Everyone must help keep the Earth
the water fountain. He did not want to wait. He clean and free of pollution.
cut in front of his classmates. The teacher saw B Do not do something just because
what happened and the boy was sent back to the other people are doing it.
classroom without a drink of water.
2 Melanie was riding in the car with her dad. He C When you do wrong there will be
finished drinking a cup of coffee. Her dad then consequences for your behavior.
threw the cup out the window. Melanie said
to her dad, “That’s littering, Daddy. What if
everyone did that with their trash?”
3 Cat said to Dog, “Why are you chasing me?”
Dog answered, “It is what all dogs are supposed
to do.” Cat then said, “Have you ever thought of
doing something different?” Dog asked, “What
do you mean?” Cat then told dog, “Maybe you
could be different then all dogs.”
Match each to the correct term
1 Type of story which always includes a moral or message. A Aesop
2 It is usually related to right and wrong behavior. B Fable
3 The person who wrote more than 600 stories hundreds of years ago. C Lesson
4 It is often just like the moral of a story and tries to tell you something. D Message
5 A story that teaches how to do something or has new information. E Moral
Tell whether each statement is True (T) or False (F).
1 All stories must have a character. 4 Lessons relate to right/wrong behavior.
2 Stories can include morals and lessons. 5 A story can make you laugh or cry.
3 Characters may change during a story. 6 Fables may not be entertaining.

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 Homework Name __________________________ Date _________

Work with an adult family member or friend and tell the message of each fable.
A thirsty Crow flew to a pitcher of water. Crow tried many ways to get the water but could not reach it. At
last, he used his beak to drop stones into the pitcher. The stones made the water rise. Then, he could drink
the water. Crow learned_________________________________________________________________

Three fish heard some fishermen say they will come tomorrow to catch fish. The first fish said, “We must
leave the pond.” The second fish agreed. The third fish said, “My luck will save me.” The first fish left that
night. The second fish left in the morning. The third fish did not want to leave. The fishermen came and
caught the third fish. The first two fish knew__________________________________________________

A dog stole some meat from a market. Carrying the meat in his teeth, he crossed a bridge over a peaceful
river. Looking in the water, he thought his reflection was another dog. “That dog has a nice piece of meat,”
he thought, “almost as good as the one I have. If I can scare him, maybe he’ll drop the meat and run.” The
dog opened his mouth to bark. The meat dropped into the water and he lost it. The dog found out______

There was once a boy who saw a fox sleeping on a big rock. The boy picked up a heavy stone to kill the
fox. He thought that he could sell the skin and get more money. Then, he would buy some seeds to plant.
When people passed by his field they would see what he planted. But he would tell them to keep away from
the plants. They would not listen, so he would shout, “Keep away from my plants.” But by screaming so
loudly, the boy woke up the fox who ran away. The boy knew then________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

One day, Raven saw a Swan with white feathers. Raven thought he could change his black feathers white
by washing in the lake. Raven tried hard to wash his feathers, but he couldn’t change their color. Instead,
his feathers got wet and he couldn’t fly until they dried out. Raven found out that_____________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

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 Practice Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Match each mini-story to its correct moral, message, or lesson.

1 C The boy was at the end of the line for a drink at A Everyone must help keep the Earth
the water fountain. He did not want to wait. He clean and free of pollution.
cut in front of his classmates. The teacher saw B Do not do something just because
what happened and the boy was sent back to the other people are doing it.
classroom without a drink of water.
2 A Melanie was riding in the car with her dad. He C When you do wrong there will be
finished drinking a cup of coffee. Her dad then consequences for your behavior.
threw the cup out the window. Melanie said
to her dad, “That’s littering, Daddy. What if
everyone did that with their trash?”
3 B Cat said to Dog, “Why are you chasing me?”
Dog answered, “It is what all dogs are supposed
to do.” Cat then said, “Have you ever thought of
doing something different?” Dog asked, “What
do you mean?” Cat then told dog, “Maybe you
could be different then all dogs.”

Match each to the correct term

1 B Type of story which always includes a moral or message. A Aesop
2 E It is usually related to right and wrong behavior. B Fable
3 A The person who wrote more than 600 stories hundreds of years ago. C Lesson
4 D It is often just like the moral of a story and tries to tell you something. D Message
5 C A story that teaches how to do something or has new information. E Moral
Tell whether each statement is True (T) or False (F).
1 F All stories must have a character. 4 F Lessons relate to right/wrong behavior.
2 T Stories can include morals and lessons. 5 T A story can make you laugh or cry.
3 T Characters may change during a story. 6 F Fables may not be entertaining.

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 Homework Answer Key
Name __________________________ Date _________

Work with an adult family member or friend and tell the message of each fable.
A thirsty Crow flew to a pitcher of water. Crow tried many ways to get the water but could not reach it. At
last, he used his beak to drop stones into the pitcher. The stones made the water rise. Then, he could drink
the water. Crow learned that problems can be solved if you keep trying.

Three fish heard some fishermen say they will come tomorrow to catch fish. The first fish said, “We must
leave the pond.” The second fish agreed. The third fish said, “My luck will save me.” The first fish left that
night. The second fish left in the morning. The third fish did not want to leave. The fishermen came and
caught the third fish. The first two fish knew that planning ahead was better than waiting for luck.

A dog stole some meat from a market. Carrying the meat in his teeth, he crossed a bridge over a peaceful
river. Looking in the water, he thought his reflection was another dog. “That dog has a nice piece of meat,”
he thought, “almost as good as the one I have. If I can scare him, maybe he’ll drop the meat and run.” The
dog opened his mouth to bark. The meat dropped into the water and he lost it. The dog found out that by
being greedy he lost what he had.

There was once a boy who saw a fox sleeping on a big rock. The boy picked up a heavy stone to kill the
fox. He thought that he could sell the skin and get more money. Then, he would buy some seeds to plant.
When people passed by his field they would see what he planted. But he would tell them to keep away from
the plants. They would not listen, so he would shout, “Keep away from my plants.” But by screaming so
loudly, the boy woke up the fox who ran away. The boy knew then that thinking about something is not the
same as doing it.

One day, Raven saw a Swan with white feathers. Raven thought he could change his black feathers white
by washing in the lake. Raven tried hard to wash his feathers, but he couldn’t change their color. Instead,
his feathers got wet and he couldn’t fly until they dried out. Raven found out that trying to get what others
have may not be good for you.

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