Mabon: Fables of Wisdom
As we celebrate the autumn equinox, fables teach us about greed, cleverness, and patience. The Fox learns about sour grapes, the Crow solves problems, and we begin our multiplication journey.
UU Principle Focus
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence
At harvest time, we see how everything connects - sun, rain, soil, plants, animals, and people all working together.
Learning Goals
Language Arts
- • Reading fluency and comprehension
- • Vocabulary development
- • Compare and contrast
- • Predict outcomes
Math
- • Skip counting by 2s, 5s, 10s
- • Introduction to multiplication
- • Equal groups concept
- • Introduction to division
Form Drawing
- • Symmetrical forms
- • Mirror/reflection forms
- • Circular forms with detail
- • Balance in design
Social-Emotional
- • Recognizing greed
- • Value of cleverness
- • Practicing gratitude
- • Finding balance
Weekly Lessons
Week 1: The Fox and the Grapes
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Autumn begins. What are we grateful for from summer? What do we hope to harvest?
📖 Language Arts
Reading fluency practice. Discuss 'sour grapes' - when we pretend we didn't want something
🔢 Math
Introduction to multiplication - groups of 2. 'Two grapes, two grapes, two grapes...'
🌿 Science & Nature
Grapes and vineyards. How grapes grow, harvest time, making juice
✏️ Form Drawing
Symmetrical forms - mirror images like fox ears
🧶 Handwork
Continue knitting project. Natural dyeing with grape skins
📚 Story
The Fox and the Grapes (Aesop)
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Fox and Grapes animated
- How grapes grow
Shows:
- Wild Kratts: Foxes
Audiobooks:
- Aesop's Fables collection
Week 2: The Crow and the Pitcher
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Cleverness and persistence solve problems. Share a time you figured something out.
📖 Language Arts
Reading comprehension - sequence of events. Write the steps the crow took
🔢 Math
Multiplication by 2s - skip counting. Counting pebbles by twos
🌿 Science & Nature
Crows - intelligence, tool use, problem solving. Water displacement experiment
✏️ Form Drawing
Circular forms with details - like ripples in water
🧶 Handwork
Simple science experiments, water play, stone collecting
📚 Story
The Crow and the Pitcher (Aesop)
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Crow and Pitcher animated
- Smart crows videos
Shows:
- Nature: Crows - smarter than you think
Audiobooks:
- Aesop's Fables
Week 3: The Dog and His Reflection
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Greed can make us lose what we have. What do we already have that we're grateful for?
📖 Language Arts
Vocabulary - greedy, reflection, foolish. Write sentences using new words
🔢 Math
Multiplication by 5s - skip counting. Counting by fives to 50
🌿 Science & Nature
Reflections and mirrors. Light, water surfaces, how reflections work
✏️ Form Drawing
Reflection/mirror forms - draw one side, mirror the other
🧶 Handwork
Mirror crafts, reflection art, water color painting
📚 Story
The Dog and His Reflection (Aesop)
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Dog and Reflection animated
- How mirrors work for kids
Shows:
- Science of light and reflection
Audiobooks:
- Aesop's Fables
Week 4: The Goose That Laid Golden Eggs
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Patience brings greater rewards than greed. What are we willing to wait for?
📖 Language Arts
Predicting outcomes - what will happen next? Discuss consequences of choices
🔢 Math
Multiplication by 10s - skip counting. Place value review with 'golden eggs'
🌿 Science & Nature
Geese - migration, life cycle, domestic vs wild. Eggs and hatching
✏️ Form Drawing
Egg and oval forms - golden egg designs
🧶 Handwork
Egg decorating (wooden or paper), goose feather crafts
📚 Story
The Goose That Laid Golden Eggs (Aesop)
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Golden Goose animated
- Wild Kratts: Birds
Shows:
- Geese migration
Audiobooks:
- Aesop's Fables
Week 5: Balance & Equinox
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Day and night are equal. What brings balance to our lives?
📖 Language Arts
Compare and contrast two fables. Create a Venn diagram
🔢 Math
Equal groups - introduction to division as sharing fairly
🌿 Science & Nature
Autumn equinox - tracking daylight, why leaves change color
✏️ Form Drawing
Symmetrical balance forms - equal on both sides
🧶 Handwork
Leaf pressing, balance mobiles, nature mandalas
📚 Story
Review favorite fables from the unit
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Equinox explained for kids
- Why leaves change color
Shows:
- Autumn nature documentaries
Audiobooks:
- More Aesop's Fables
Week 6: Mabon Celebration
🕯️ Hearth Circle
Mabon gratitude ritual - share thanks, break bread, honor the harvest
📖 Language Arts
Write a gratitude list. Create illustrated fable book
🔢 Math
Review multiplication by 2s, 5s, 10s. Harvest counting games
🌿 Science & Nature
Nature walk - collect fall treasures, observe animal preparations
✏️ Form Drawing
Create a harvest border combining all forms learned
🧶 Handwork
Apple crafts, gratitude tree, harvest feast preparation
📚 Story
Student choice - favorite fable from the unit
📺 "Just Can't" Day Alternatives
Videos:
- Fall celebration videos
- Apple harvest
Shows:
- Nature: Autumn
Audiobooks:
- Favorite fables
🍂 Mabon Celebration Ideas
- • Create a family gratitude feast with harvest foods
- • Make a nature altar with collected leaves, acorns, and apples
- • Balance eggs on the equinox
- • Visit an apple orchard or pumpkin patch
- • Donate food to a local food bank
- • Make apple cider or apple butter together
- • Create a gratitude tree with paper leaves
- • Act out favorite fables as family plays