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A Lesson on The Turtle and the Rabbit Export Lesson as PDF | Save As Favorite
A Lesson on The Turtle and the Rabbit Grade: Grade 3
Subject: English Language Arts
Created by: Brianne Blowers
Lesson Length: 2 hours
Keywords/Tags: Reading, Writing, Vocabulary, Critical Thinking,
Lesson Description: The purpose of this lesson is for students to practice their reading and writing skills and learn new vocabulary words through close reading of the story "The Turtle and the Rabbit" and answering follow up questions. Through the discussion and writing activities, the students are given the chance to think critically about the moral of the story, the author's point of view, and their own opinions of the story. Through the whole lesson, students can also compare and contrast the difference between the behavior of the turtle and the rabbit and how that might have affected the outcome of the story.
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.3.3: Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
  • 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.RL.3.6: Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters.
  • 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.W.3.1: Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with 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: Darted | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q1 The author of the story says, “The rabbit darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped”. What does the word “darted” mean?
A. to throw darts
B. to move quickly *
C. to fall
D. to move slowly
Which one of the sentences below uses the word "darted" correctly in relationship to the story?
A. He darted to sleep.
B. The snail darted across the sidewalk.
C. She darted behind the door to hide. *
D. The girl darted her dress.
Word/Phrase: Boasting | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q2 When the author of the story says, “The Rabbit was once boasting of his speed before the other animals" what does the word “boasting” mean?
A. extreme fear
B. extreme doubt
C. extreme pride *
D. extreme unhappiness
Which sentence below uses the word "boasting" correctly?
A. When the boy fell, he was boasting.
B. The girl was boasting because she was afraid.
C. He was boasting to show he was sad.
D. The bride was boasting about how pretty she looked. *
Word/Phrase: Defeat | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q3 The turtle says, “I know that I can defeat you.” What does the word defeat mean in the story?
A. run fast
B. win a victory over someone *
C. hit someone hard
D. lose a race
Which sentence below uses the word “defeat” correctly?
A. The man said, I will defeat the enemy. *
B. She went to defeat the test.
C. I am defeated when I bake.
D. I like to defeat the book when I am reading.
Word/Phrase: Course was fixed | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q4 When the author in the story says, “So a course was fixed and a start was made” what does the phrase "a course was fixed" mean?
A. The path was painted
B. The road was paved
C. The beginning and end of the race was decided *
D. The race was over
Which one of the sentences below uses the phrase "course was fixed" correctly in relationship to the story?
A. A course was fixed for dinner.
B. The course was fixed at the beginning of the track meet. *
C. On Saturday, the course was fixed as I drove to the grocery store.
D. After we left the library, a course was fixed.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.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 Who would you rather be?
Would you rather be the rabbit or the turtle? Explain your answer.
Sent on: Oct 11, 2014 by: Brianne Blowers		 0
Message The Moral of the Story
What do you think is the moral of this story? Explain your answer.
Sent on: Oct 11, 2014 by: Brianne Blowers		 0
Message Surprise for Rabbit
The rabbit was surprised he lost the race because he had never lost before. Why do you think the rabbit lost the race? Use main points from the story to explain your answer.
Sent on: Oct 11, 2014 by: Brianne Blowers		 0
Message Confident Turtle
The turtle said he was confident he could win the race. What does being confident mean to you?
Sent on: Oct 11, 2014 by: Brianne Blowers		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.6,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (30 points)
Instructions: You are to write 2 paragraphs on why you think the author wrote this story and what the author's point of view of the rabbit and turtle might be. Provide reasons and lines from the story that support your opinion. You might want to consider writing about how the turtle  moved at a slower pace, yet still won the race.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1b,
 
     

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