Social Studies Learning Plan: Hard work/Do your best Book Kit Title: Tops and Bottoms Author: Janet Stevens Publication Date: 1995 ISBN #: 0-15-292851-0

This book kit was planned by Emily Anderson Grade Level: Kindergarten Utah Social Studies State Core Curriculum or NCSS link: Standard 2: Students will develop a sense of self in relation to families and community. Objective 1: Describe factors that influence relationships with family and friends. Indicator e: Demonstrate positive interactions with peers and adults.

Lesson Objective: Given the book Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens, the concrete object, the game, and the activity stations, students will be able to identify hard work and exhibit their best work in the classroom.

Materials:  Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens  CD recording of Tops and Bottoms  Story Sequencing Cards (photocopy 10 pages from the book)  Concrete Object: “Helping Hand”  Scale ‘N Slide Game: - Directions - 1 large dice - 6 colored hand-shaped playing pieces - 24 playing cards (Red cards are “slide cards” describing scenarios of laziness. Blue cards are “ladder cards” describing scenarios of hard work and effort.)

Key Concepts: Students should know what it means to do their best work. They should be able to identify the difference between working hard and being lazy.

Background Knowledge: Ask the children if they remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. (Retell the story if necessary.)

The Tortoise and The Hare

There once was a speedy hare who bragged about how fast he could run. Tired of hearing him boast, Slow and Steady, the tortoise, challenged him to a race. All the animals in the forest gathered to watch. Hare ran down the road for a while and then and paused to rest. He looked back at Slow and Steady and cried out, "How do you expect to win this race when you are walking along at your slow, slow pace?" Hare stretched himself out alongside the road and fell asleep, thinking, "There is plenty of time to relax." Slow and Steady walked and walked. He never, ever stopped until he came to the finish line. The animals who were watching cheered so loudly for Tortoise, they woke up Hare. Hare stretched and yawned and began to run again, but it was too late. Tortoise was over the line. After that, Hare always reminded himself, "Don't brag about your lightning pace, for Slow and Steady won the race!"

(Taken from: http://www.storyarts.org/library/aesops/stories/tortoise.html)

Remind the children that the Hare was certain he would win the race; he was so certain he would win that he stopped trying his best. Because the Hare rested and did not work hard, the Tortoise ended up winning the race. Tell the children the book Tops and Bottoms is a continuation of the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. In Tops and Bottoms, the Hare realizes his mistake of not working hard has caused him and his family to go hungry. Therefore, he decides to change and work hard. Because he works hard and does his best, he is able to feed himself and his family.

Anticipatory Set/Invitation to Learn: Tell the children, “I am going to read a story about a lazy bear and a hardworking rabbit and his family. As I read, listen for the differences between what the bear does and what the rabbit does.” Listening Focus: Listen for the differences between what the bear does and what the rabbit does.

Method for Sharing the Book: Read aloud to the class showing them the pictures. The story is predictable. Can the children predict what the bear and the rabbit will do? When the story is over, ask the children what the rabbit and the bear did. What did the rabbit do that showed he worked hard? What did the bear do that showed he was lazy?

Instructional Process and Activity: “What does it mean to do our best?” (Call on several children to give suggestions of what it means to “do our best.”) “What are some things we do that require us to work hard?” Make a list of chart paper of children’s answers. “Which of these things require us to do our best work? What happens when we do not do our best work?” Discuss the benefits to working hard and doing your best work.

Closure: Choose three things from the list that the class will attempt to complete while doing their best work. Post the list in a prominent place in the room where everyone can see it.

Extension: Introduce the “Scale ‘N Slide” Game. Directions: Two to six players may play this game. Each player chooses a colored hand game piece. In turn, each player rolls the dice and moves his/her hand around the board. If a player lands at the bottom of the ladder, he/she will pick up a “ladder card” which gives a scenario of hard work, and climbs the ladder to the top where the fresh vegetables are located. The reward for hard work is progress on the board and Hare’s fresh vegetables like in the book. If a player lands at the top of a slide, he/she picks up a “slide card” which gives a scenario of laziness, and moves down the slide to the inedible tops or bottoms of the vegetables like those the Bear received for his laziness. The first person to the finish line with Hare and his vegetables wins! Evidence of Student Learning: Formal assessment will take place while students are engaged in activity stations. Groups of students will be assigned to stations where they will complete an activity then rotate until they have completed all six stations. The teacher will collect all work from the stations.

Activity Stations:

Station #1 - Drawing Station: Using markers or crayons and paper draw a picture of you or someone else working hard and doing their best. Bloom’s Level: Evaluation

Station #2 – Sequence Cards Station: Assemble the sequence cards in the order that they appeared in the story. Then write the sequence card numbers in order on your paper starting with the first story card, then the next, and so on to the end. Bloom’s Level: Knowledge

Station #3 – Pair and Share Station: Pair up with a buddy and answer the following questions:  What did the Hare do so he and his family could have food?  How did the little Hares help their parents?  Why did the Bear get angry at the Hare?  What would you do if you were in the story? Bloom’s Level: Application

Station #4 – Letter Writing Station: Write a letter to the principal and thank him/her for all of his/her hard work in making the school a nice place to learn. Bloom’s Level: Application

Station #5 – Create a Flower Station: Using collage craft materials such as markers, crayons, craft foam, pipe cleaners, pompom balls, cotton balls, etc. create your own vegetable garden. Write in your journal what you will do to take care of your garden so you can enjoy the vegetables that are growing. Bloom’s Level: Comprehension

Station #6 – Conversation Station: Students can talk in small groups of 6-8 with a teacher or parent. They can discuss different ideas related to the book such as the following:  How did the Hare work hard?  What did the Bear do that was lazy?  How do you feel when you work hard and do your best to complete something?  What happens when you do not work hard or do your best? Bloom’s Level: Evaluation

Concrete Object: The Helping Hand

Trace, cut out, and laminate the outline of a hand shape on cardstock. Write the words “Helping Hand” on one side. The helping hand is a concrete reminder that it takes hard work to get something worthwhile. The Hare needed food and worked for it; others helped too. The teacher will give a student the helping hand. When he/she helps someone else, he/she will leave the helping hand on another student’s desk. This student will then take the helping hand as a reminder for him/her to help others and will continue the pattern to pass it on.