Hare and Tortoise Have a Race: Independent Reading Green 5
SeriesName
What’s inside...
This charming book revisits the classic fable of the Hare and the Tortoise. The two characters take part in an exciting race to see who is the fastest. Despite the hare's speed and confidence, it is the slow and steady tortoise who wins the race, teaching readers about the value of perseverance and determination.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the tortoise win the race, even though he is much slower than the hare?
How do you feel about the way the hare acted during the race? What would you have done differently?
Why do you think it's important to finish what you start, like the tortoise did?
What did you learn about perseverance and patience from this story?
How do you think the hare and tortoise felt about each other at the end of the race?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the traits of each character, asking them which qualities they see in themselves.
Discuss the moral of the story and how it can apply to real-life situations, such as at school or during sports.
Connect the story to personal experiences where your child had to be patient to achieve a goal, enhancing their personal connection to the narrative.
Use expressive reading to highlight the contrasting speeds of the hare and tortoise, making the reading experience more lively and engaging.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a picture of what they think a rematch between the hare and tortoise might look like, spurring creativity and reinforcing comprehension.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Persistence Pays Off
Explanation: In the story, the tortoise's slow but steady approach ultimately leads him to win the race, despite being the underdog.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of keeping at a task even if it feels slow or they feel less capable than others. It teaches them the importance of not giving up.
Example Lesson: Beware of Overconfidence
Explanation: The hare's overconfidence leads him to take a nap during the race, thinking he cannot possibly lose, which costs him the victory.
Real-World Application: This can remind children that being overconfident and underestimating tasks can lead to unexpected outcomes. It encourages them to remain diligent and focused.
Example Lesson: Every Participant Has Value
Explanation: The story portrays how both the hare and the tortoise, despite their differences, bring value to the race.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand and respect individual differences among their peers, promoting inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Consistency is Key
Explanation: The tortoise's consistent pace despite being slower than the hare demonstrates the importance of maintaining steady effort.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in their daily studies or tasks, learning that consistent efforts can sometimes be more effective than sporadic bursts of energy.
Example Lesson: Plan and Pace Yourself
Explanation: While the hare rushes ahead without a plan and exhausts himself, the tortoise plans his pace and manages his energy, leading to his win.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of planning and pacing in accomplishing any task, helping them effectively manage their time and resources.