Customer Reviews

Literature Pockets, Aesop's Fables, Grades 2-3

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am an "arts & crafts" kind of person, and I tend to think, "I can do this myself - I don't need to buy such and such a product". I finally relented and starting purchasing literature and history pockets from Evan Moor and I am SO PLEASED! It really is nice to have everything in one place. Sometimes I do supplement or expand the pockets with materials I've found elsewhere, and sometimes I modify the crafts/writing assignments, and I have added a couple of extra pockets for a couple of other favorite fables.

Anyway, my kids really enjoy working on their Aesop's pocket, and seem to be internalizing the fables - there have been a couple of instances where they've heard or read something and said, "It's just like "The Boy Who Cried Wolf"", etc...

I consider this money well-spent.

I bought the Fables Lit Pockets to do homeschooling for my lower elementary school kids, and it was worth the purchase.

It had a copy of 8 fables in there, which was good, and some activities good for under 3rd grade. My kindergartners had no trouble doing them. It was nice that they tried to include a couple of the less common fables so the kids wouldn't have heard them before and would have to think a bit. Still, I was slightly disappointed that they didn't cover some of the more popular fables like "the Fox and the Crow" or "the Ant and Grasshopper." But it makes a good study for under 3rd grade, especially if you buy a couple more resources to go with it. We used Milo Winter's compilation, which also had all eight fables in it. The Aesops Coloring book by Dover, however, did not have many pictures to match these 8.

It includes:
Boy Who Cried Wolf
Lion and the Mouse
Fox and Stork
Fox and Goat
Tortoise and Hare
Cat, Rooster, and Mouse
Miller, Son, and His Donkey
Milkmaid and Her Pail

This is a great resource to use to begin teaching Aesop's Fables. It is comprehensive and fun!

I used this product with my 7 year old, as part of our homeschool literature program. She enjoyed the fables, as well as the coloring and related crafts. I enjoyed the additional activities presented with the fables such as: "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" has a mini book on "What is Wool?" and students make a picture dictionary with the story's vocabulary words. Most fables have a writing assingment with them. My daugther pulls out her Aesop's Fables and reads the stories and information to her younger sisters. She enjoys showing off her work to other family members as well. The more she retells what she learned the more she soaks up the information.

Cons:
If you and your child do not like cutting, coloring, crafts or making many photo copies, you may not like this book. Another con, the example of how to display each piece of paper in the book is a little over the top. Evan/Moor show each piece of paper glued to a sheet of construction paper. I feel it is a waste for many of the items in each section. Plus, all that construction paper really adds up. It does take a bit time to set up the pockets, but if you take an couple hours and do the whole thing at once it's not bad. The end product is a nice learning tool.

Public School Teacher:
I was also a public school teacher. I do believe you would enjoy this product too. Having a large copier to use would make using this book easier. The end product is really eye catching and a sure parent pleaser. You may not have the time to devote to all of the activities. However, they would make great enrichment activites. The cost of making the pockets for each student might be a bit much depending on your school's buget and supplies. However, there are other ways to present information and papers. All in all, a great way to present fables to the classroom.