Grade: Grade 3 Subject: English Language Arts Created by: Kelli Rowland Lesson Length: 1 hour Keywords/Tags: The Turtle and the Rabbit, 3rd grade, ELA Lesson Description: This lesson is about the story \"The Turtle and the Rabbit.\" Students will read the passage and later learn about fables, central messages, and themes. This lesson allows students to demonstrate their understanding of the text by referring back to the passage to answer questions. Students will also be required to compare and contrast the characters in the story by analyzing their character traits.
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.3.3: 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.L.3.4a: Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
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: boasting | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q1
The passage uses the word "boasting" two times. One example of the use of the word is, "The Rabbit was once boasting of his speed before the other animals." What does the word "boasting" mean in this sentence?
A. telling a lie
B. bragging *
C. laughing
D. crying
Choose the correct sentence below in which the word "boasting" is used correctly.
A. Amy was boasting when she told Seth she hoped he did well on his spelling test.
B. The boy was boasting as he asked to borrow Emma's pencil.
C. Charles was boasting about how slow he ran.
D. Sarah was boasting about the 100 she made on her spelling test. *
Word/Phrase: course | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q2
The passage uses the word "course". The sentence is, "So a course was fixed and a start was made." What is the correct meaning of the word "course" in this sentence?
A. a meal you eat
B. a class you take in school
C. a path you take *
D. a car you drive
Which sentence below is the word "course" used in the same context as the passage?
A. The Queen likes to eat a five course meal every day.
B. Hannah decided to take the easy course that had no hills she would have to climb. *
C. Jessie is taking a course in college where she is learning about the human body.
D. Sam will drive his course to school tomorow.
Word/Phrase: darted | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q3
The word "darted" is used in the passage. The sentence is, "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." What is the correct meaning of the word "darted" in this sentence?
A. walked
B. ran *
C. jumped
D. crawled
Choose the correct sentence below in which the word "darted" is used correctly as in the passage.
A. Slowly, the monkeys darted from the lion who was about to eat them.
B. The missiles darted into the ship as it began to sink.
C. Seth darted out loud when he heard the joke.
D. The mice darted from the cat, just like lightening. *
Word/Phrase: confident | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q4
The passage uses the word "confident". The word is used in the sentence, "The Turtle said quietly, 'I accept your challenge. I am tired of your bragging. I am confident that I can beat you.'" What is the meaning of the word "confident"?
A. uncertain
B. very sure *
C. needs help
D. shy
Which sentence below uses the word "confident" in the correct context as it is used in the passage?
A. Sadie was confident that she was going to play well in her softball game. *
B. Lauren studied last night so she is confident that she will not do well on her test.
C. Our team has practiced all year for the championship so we are not confident that we will win.
D. The girl was being confident when she wouldn't raise her hand.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.4, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.4a,
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
Lesson Learned
What is the overall moral or theme of the story? What did the rabbit learn from the turtle?
Sent on: Sep 10, 2015 by: Kelli Rowland
0
Rabbit's Attitude
The rabbit brags throughout the beginning of the story. Why is the rabbit so confident that he will win? Use your background knowledge about rabbits and turtles to help you respond to this question.
Sent on: Sep 10, 2015 by: Kelli Rowland
0
Turtle v. Rabbit
The turtle knew that he was much slower than rabbit. Why was the turtle so sure he could beat rabbit? Do you think he knew rabbit's personality prior to this race?
Sent on: Sep 10, 2015 by: Kelli Rowland
0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.2,
Task 3: Writing Activity
(30 points)
Instructions: You are to write and post here a 500 words essay on the similarities and differences between the turtle and the rabbit. Be to sure to analyze their character traits and use examples from the passage to explain your thinking. When comparing and contrasting these two characters think about their actions and their behaviors.
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.3,
