Androcles

Unknown

Tier 1

The Story

Jacob’s Ladder Goals & Objectives

Habits of Mind

Androcles

A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering there he came upon a lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he came near, the lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog.

Then the lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day brought him meat for his survival. But shortly afterward both Androcles and the lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days. The Emperor and all of his court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim.

But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognized his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story, whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the lion let loose to his native forest.

Students will be able:

Ladder CC1-Literary Elements-To identify and explain specific story elements such as character, setting, or poetic-device.C2-Inference-To use textual clues to read between the lines and make judgments about specific textual events, ideas, or character analysis.C3-Theme/Concept-To identify a major idea or theme common in the text.

Ladder DD1-Paraphrasing-To restate lines read using their own words.

D2-Summarizing-To provide a summary of text selections.

D3-Creative Synthesis-To create something new using what they have learned.

Habits of Mind

Working Interdependently

Thinking about Thinking (metacognition)

Innovating, Creating, Imagining

Refer to Jacob’s Ladder Story Table for Ladder B & C Thinking Questions.

Tier 2Rigor

(Discussion)

High Level Strategies with

Ladder B & C Questions

Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around,

Choose 2 of 3 questions below to complete.

D1—Discuss the main idea of the story along with the author’s purpose for writing it. Compare/contrast the main idea with author’s purpose.

D2—Summarize the actions of the story characters and their importance to the story.

C1—Describe the character of Androcles with adjectives that are 6 letters or more. Support your answer with evidence from the story.

Tier 3Rigor

(Discussion)

High Level Strategies with

Ladder B & C Questions

Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around. Choose 2 of 3 questions below to complete.

C2—Why doesn’t the lion eat Androcles? Did it surprise you that the lion spared him? Why or Why not?C3—Write a moral to the fable. Explain why your moral is appropriate giving evidence from the story.D1—Rewrite the following quotation in your own words. “But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognized his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story, whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest.”

Tier 4

Reflections/Relevance

Choose one of the writing ideas to complete.  Be creative. 

1. Androcles and the lion were true friends. Relate a true friendship story of yours to a real life situation.

2. Create another fable that tells of gratitude being the sign of noble souls. Use characters and setting of your choice.

Suggested project strategies:  Write a podcast script; create a puppet show; develop a PSA; a PowerPoint presentation; write and be an actor in a skit; write a persuasive speech and give before the class.