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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: Karen Geissler
Lesson Length: 1 hour 45 minutes
Keywords/Tags: Reading, writing, critical thinking, vocabulary, compare and contrast
Lesson Description: The purpose of this lesson is to practice reading comprehension, vocabulary, writing skills, and critical thinking. Students will read "The Turtle and the Rabbit" and it will introduce new vocabulary which will cause students to determine the meaning of new words. The discussion questions will help students better comprehend the main idea of the story and character development. They will learn the importance of "slow and steady" as they answer these questions. The short writing will provide an opportunity for the students to compare and contrast the main characters using support and reasoning from the text.
Common Core Standards Covered with This Lesson
  • 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.3.2: Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea.
  • 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.3.4a: Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.
  • 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: Confident | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q1 In our story The Turtle says, "I am confident that I can beat you." What does the word "confident" mean?
A. Different
B. Sure *
C. Weak
D. Unsure
Which sentence below uses the word "confident" correctly?
A. I'm afraid to be confident.
B. Being confident makes me look bad.
C. I don't think I can do a good job so this make me confident.
D. My friend is a confident soccer player. *
Word/Phrase: Defeat | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q2 The Turtle said, "I know that I can defeat you." What does the word "defeat" mean in the story?
A. Block
B. Ruin
C. Beat *
D. Stop
Which sentence below uses the word "defeat" correctly?
A. Defeat is on my side.
B. I will defeat my enemies. *
C. They can't wait for the defeat.
D. Defeat means winning.
Word/Phrase: Bragging | Tier: 3 | Points: 10
Q3 In the story The Turtle tells The Rabbit, "I am tired of your bragging." What does the word "bragging" mean?
A. Yelling
B. Laughing
C. Boasting *
D. Scaring
Which sentence below uses the word "bragging" correctly?
A. Bragging is telling others how bad I am at something.
B. Stop bragging and be nice. *
C. When he missed the his shot he started bragging.
D. My sister is bragging about how much she likes to sleep.
Word/Phrase: Evident | Tier: 2 | Points: 10
Q4 In our story the last line says, "It was evident that The Rabbit was too full of himself from the beginning." What does the word "evident" mean?
A. Obvious *
B. Secret
C. Hidden
D. Unknown
Which sentence below uses the word "evident" correctly?
A. When something is confusing that means it is evident.
B. I am evident of all my work.
C. Tying my shoes is evident.
D. It is evident that my teacher knows what she's talking about. *
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 Bragging
The Rabbit spent a lot of time bragging. Do you think it's nice to brag? Explain your answer. 
Sent on: Oct 9, 2016 by: Karen Geissler		 0
Message Slow and Steady
The Turtle was slow and steady and that won him the race. Why do you think the turtle won the race evnthough he was slow? Explain your answer. 
Sent on: Oct 9, 2016 by: Karen Geissler		 0
Message Main Point
What do you think the main point of the story is? Explain your answer. 
Sent on: Oct 9, 2016 by: Karen Geissler		 0
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4a,
 
     
     
 
Task 3: Writing Activity (30 points)
Instructions: Write two paragraphs comparing and contrasting The Turtle and The Rabbit. How are they similar and how are they different? Find evidence from the story to support your ideas. You can use their physical attributes as examples for comparing and contrasting as well as their attitudes and behavior.    
Standards Covered with This Lesson Activity: CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1b,
 
     

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