Instruction:

Read one of Aesop's famous fables, "The Wolf and the House Dog." Click on the book icon to the right. Then we'll see how to identify supporting details in a short answer format. Keep the passage open as we work through this example.

The Wolf and the House Dog

Question Prompt:

The message or main idea in this fable might be stated: There is nothing worth as much as freedom.

• What supporting details make the House Dog's living conditions appealing to the Wolf?
• Explain one other important detail that supports the message or main idea.
  

• Read the question before reading the passage.
• Think about what we know about a fable?
  Yes, they are usually stories about animals containing a "moral" or message.

Think:

Remember from the rubrics section we learned to figure out what key elements needed to be answered in a complete response. For this short answer, and for a complete 2 point score, what two elements need to be included in an answer?

1. Find some supporting details to show the good things about the House Dog's life.
2. Find and explain one other (different) detail that fits the main idea of There is nothing worth as much as freedom.

Let's see how Student 1 answers this prompt. We will use this chart to figure out this student's score:

Think about what score Student 1 earned for this response. Why? Then use the table below to match your score with the criteria and explanations.

Think about what score Student 2 earned for this response. Look at the question again to be sure everything was answered.

1. Does the student include supporting details showing why the House Dog's living conditions are appealing to the Wolf? - Yes, Student 2 says Wolf if "really hungry," and "When the House Dog tells Wolf there are tidbits like "chicken bones, choice bits of meat, sugar, cake and much more besides" he gets so happy he almost cries. He also finds out he will hear kind words and the people might pet him."
2. Does this student explain one other important detail that supports the message or main idea? - Remember the theme is: There is nothing worth as much as freedom. No, Student 2 does not include another detail that supports the message or main idea.
   

Student 2 writes a clear response and it is almost complete. However, the student is missing a part, and makes an incorrect statement.

Missing: There is no response to the second part of the prompt: Explain one other important detail that supports the message or main idea.

Incorrect: Student 2 draws the wrong conclusion: "Now he knows where he wants to live" because the Wolf does NOT end up wanting to go to the House Dog's house at all. He would rather have his freedom than be chained and eat good food.

If the student had added information about the Wolf's reaction to the House Dog's chain and lack of freedom, it would be a complete response. As it is, the score would be a 1.

Student 2 calling for help! See if you can add that last key element to Student 2's response to make it earn a score of 2 points.

First - we'll delete the last sentence: Now he knows where he wants to live, because it is an incorrect idea and does not take the whole story or main idea into account.

Help out Student 2 by completing the answer to this part of the prompt:

Explain one other important detail that supports the message or main idea:

• There is nothing worth as much as freedom.
  Jot down a couple sentences on a piece of paper.

You might have written something like this:

How close did you come to the complete answer? You probably hit the target's bullseye!

You're ready to try some reading passages and some questions on your own! Let's go!