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A Lesson on The Turtle and the Rabbit Save As Favorite
A Lesson on The Turtle and the Rabbit Grade: Grade 3
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Gillian Chloupek
Lesson Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Keywords/Tags: The Turtle and the Rabbit
Lesson Description: The goal of this lesson is to give students the opportunity to use the reading and writing habits they've learned to understand the important morals in the story of the Thr Turtle and the Rabbit. By reading the passage and working through the discussion questions, students will be able to form an understanding of why the Rabbit underestimated the capabilities of the Turtle and other important values about being kind.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.2: Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from nonliteral language.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.4: Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topic or subject area.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4c: Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1a: Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.
  • CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1b: Provide reasons that support the opinion.
 
     
     
 
Lesson Content: Reading
Instructions: Please read the following reading passage as many times as needed (aloud and silent) before starting to go through other lesson pages. Understanding the content of this passage is very important since the lesson activities will be all about this content. Feel free to print the passage if needed.

The Turtle and the Rabbit

The Rabbit was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. "I have never yet been beaten,” said he, "when I put forth my full speed. I challenge any one here to race with me. I am the best.” 

The Turtle said quietly, "I accept your challenge. I am tired of your bragging. I am confident that I can beat you.” 

“That is a good joke," said the Rabbit; "I could dance around you all the way. You will never be able to speed past me. You will not get the victory." 

“Keep your boasting till you've beaten me,” answered the Turtle. "Shall we race? I know that I can defeat you.”

So a course was fixed and a start was made. The Rabbit darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, believing that the Turtle could never catch him, lay down by the wayside to have a nap. The Turtle never for a moment stopped, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course. 

When the Rabbit awoke from his nap, he saw the Turtle just near the winning-post. The Rabbit ran as fast as he could, but it was too late. He saw the Turtle had reached the goal. He was very surprised. He had never lost a race before.
 
     
     
 
Task 1: Vocabulary Activity (40 points)
Instructions: Please complete the following vocabulary activity by choosing the correct meaning of each word selected from the passage and use of each word correctly in a sentence.
Vocabulary Questions
Word/Phrase: Challenge | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q1 When the turtle said, "I accept your challenge" what is the meaning of the word "challenge" in the story?
A. to compete with or against someone in a competition *
B. to accept a gift
C. to give a compliment to someone
D. to win an award
Which one of the sentences below used the word "challenge" in the same meaning as provided in the passage?
A. I challenge you when I say you're trustworthy
B. I challenge you to read a book this summer
C. I challenge you to a game of football *
D. Saying goodbye to someone
Word/Phrase: Confident | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q2 What does the word "confident" mean when the turtle says " I am confident I can beat you"?
A. worried
B. anxious
C. angry
D. sure *
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "confident" correctly?
A. I am confident in my abilities *
B. If I am worried about being bad at something, I am confident.
C. I am sad and don't feel like being confident today.
D. I am confident if I don't know if I can do something.
Word/Phrase: Boasting | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q3 When the turtle tells the rabbit, "keep your boasting till you've beaten me", what is the meaning of the word "boasting"?
A. to run the fastest
B. to be prideful and satisfied of one's abilities *
C. to be rude to your friends
D. to be happy for others
Which sentence below correctly uses the word "boasting"?
A. The man is boasting about his many awards. *
B. The woman was boasting because she was upset.
C. The boy was boasting because he was shy.
D. She is boasting because she is tired.
Word/Phrase: Fixed | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q4 In the line, "So a course was fixed and a start was made", what is the meaning of the word "fixed"?
A. to put a car together
B. to tear something down
C. to set up or put something together *
D. to reassemble something that was previously broken
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "fixed" in the same context of the story?
A. the man fixed the boy's bike.
B. a plate was fixed for aunt Mildred. *
C. my tire is flat and needs to be fixed.
D. I fixed my toy car after the remote control broke
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4,
 
     
     
 
Task 2: Discussion Activity (30 points)
Instructions: This discussion forum will have questions for students to respond. Read the posted questions, and respond to each. Students are responsible for posting one initial and and two peer responses for each topic.
  Topic Title Replies
Message Moral of the Story
What is the overall moral or theme of the story? What did the rabbit learn from the experience? Explain your answer using examples from the story. 
Sent on: Feb 18, 2018 by: Gillian Chloupek		 0
Message The Turtles Decision to Race
Why did the turtle accept the challenge to race even though he was not a fast runner? Do you think the turtle knew he would win? 
Sent on: Feb 18, 2018 by: Gillian Chloupek		 0
Message The Napping Rabit
In the middle of the race, the Rabbit decides to take a nap instead of running to the finish line. Why do you believe the Rabbit took a nap? 
Sent on: Feb 18, 2018 by: Gillian Chloupek		 0
Message Turtle or Rabbit
If you had the choice to be either the Turtle or the Rabbit, who would you be? Why? Explain your answer. 
Sent on: Feb 18, 2018 by: Gillian Chloupek		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4c,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (30 points)
Instructions: For your writing assignment, pick an important concept from the story such as bragging, or confidence and explain how it impacted either the Turtle or the Rabbit. Provide information about the lesson learned in regards to the concept. For example, the Turtle was always bragging until he lost the race. What lesson did he learn in this process? Your answer should be a minimum of 50 words and should include examples from the text to support your ideas. 
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1a, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1b,
 
     

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