Author: GLE Team | Published on 1 September 2023
'The Lazy Chameleon' is a short fable story with accompanying comprehension questions.
Stage 1
Ask learners if they know what a chameleon is. Discuss the qualities of a chameleon they are familiar with (e.g. the ability to change colour to blend with a background; long tongue). Show a picture if possible.
Stage 2
Introduce the Lazy Chameleon story to learners. Decide how you would like to read this depending on what works for the group – individual reading; small group reading; whole class.
Stage 3
As learners read, encourage them to note down any vocabulary they are unfamiliar with. If learning in groups, discuss these words with the wider group and see if anyone can offer a meaning. If there are dictionaries or online access, have learners look up any new words. If learners want to determine the sex of the chameleon, be aware that gendered adjectives may start to appear such as “pretty” for female or “handsome/strong” for male. Question the choices of these adjectives with curiosity and without judgement to facilitate a discussion on the choices for these gendered adjectives.
Stage 4
Introduce the following questions for learners to answer.
Knowledge Q: What are some examples of nouns in the story?
Answer: Chameleon, Mudavula village, maize meal, etc.
Application Q: What are nouns used for?
Answer: They are used to refer to people, places, ideas and things; and function as subject and objects in sentences.
Knowledge Q: What function does an adjective perform?
Answer: It describes nouns.
Application Q: Find adjectives in paragraph 1 of the story.
Knowledge Q: Explain the meaning of these words - village, maize meal/corn meal
Answer: A village is a small town. A maize meal is a meal made up of maize and other ingredients.
Knowledge Q: Who is the major character in the story?
Answer: the lazy chameleon.
Application Q: What adjective could be used to describe the chameleon?
Answer: One adjective that describes the nature of the chameleon is "lazy" use it in a sentence of your own. Also, identify all other adjectives used in the story and use each in your own sentences.
Stage 5
Give learners time to complete the answers.
Stage 6: Plenary
Discuss answers or any misconceptions.
Gender Responsive Notes: Ensure gender neutral language throughout; mixed gender groups; ensure answers are taken from a variety of learners, facilitate discussion around any gendered adjectives that may appear.