1st–2nd Grade
Objectives
CCSS Reading: Literature
•RL.2.1: Ask and answer such questions as who,
what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate
understanding of key details in a text.
•RL.2.2: Recount stories, including fables and folk tales
from diverse cultures, and determine their central
message, lesson, or moral.
•RL.2.9: Compare and contrast two or more versions of the
same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or
from different cultures.
Materials Needed
• Any copy of Cinderella
• A copy of a Cinderella story from another culture, such as Yeh-Shen or The Rough-Face Girl
• Whiteboard or chart paper
• “The Tortoise and the Hare”
• “The Heron and the Hummingbird”
• Comparing Stories reproducible
Preparation
Print a copy of “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Heron and the Hummingbird” and the Comparing Stories
reproducible for each student.
Introduction
Tell students that you are going to read two different stories and then compare them to find similarities and
differences. Ask students to pay special attention to the characters, the plot and the lesson that each story
teaches.
Procedure
1. Read aloud both Cinderella stories.
2.Ask, “What do you notice about these two stories that is alike?”
3.Write student responses on a whiteboard or chart paper. (Guide students in identifying similarities, such as in
theme or plot elements.)
4.Ask, “What do you notice about these two stories that is different?”
5.Write student responses on a whiteboard or chart paper. (Guide students in identifying differences, such as in
characters or plot details.)
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Independent Practice
1.Give each student a copy of the Comparing Stories reproducible, a copy of “The Tortoise and the Hare” and a
copy of “The Heron and the Hummingbird.”
2.Have students write the title of one story on the left side of the reproducible and the title of the other on the
right side.
3.Help students identify one or two elements from the stories (e.g., characters, plot, setting, moral) that are the
same or similar to one another and write them in the center of the reproducible.
4.Encourage students to identify one or two elements from each story that are different from the other and write
those beneath each title on the left and right sides of the reproducible.
Extension Activity
Continue to use the Comparing Stories reproducible with other stories throughout the year.
©Lakeshore www.lakeshorelearning.com
O
ne spring day, Hare was
hopping through a field.
Duck, Cow, Pig, and Tortoise
were enjoying the sun together.
“You know,” said Hare, “I have
never been beaten in a race. Not
once has anyone—or anything—run
faster than me. Would any of you
like to challenge me?”
The other animals looked at each
other, none of them eager to lose a
race to Hare, for Hare would never
stop bragging about it. At last,
Tortoise said, “I will race you, Hare.
I accept your challenge.”
“You are too funny, Tortoise,” said
Hare. “I could pass the finish line five
times before you even start the race.
Seriously, you’ll be eating my dust!”
“I’ll ask you to keep your bragging
to yourself until the race is done,”
said Tortoise.
“It won’t be long then. Shall we
race?” asked Hare. Tortoise just
nodded his head—slowly. The other
animals decided on a course.
“Okay, line up,” said Pig. “On your
mark, get set, go!” Hare was
halfway down the dusty lane before
Tortoise even had his legs over the
starting line.
“Slow and
steady,” said
Tortoise. “Slow
and steady.”
By this time,
Hare was
almost to the
bridge. He
looked back to
see if he could
spot Tortoise. He wasn’t sure if it
was Tortoise, but there was a green
and brown lump moving toward him
very slowly.
t
r
a
St
“My goodness,” thought Hare, “I
could take a nap and still win this
race. Wait! I could take a nap and
win.” Hare curled up on the ground
and, laughing to himself, fell asleep.
As Tortoise inched his way forward,
Hare dreamed of running past the
finish line, shaking hands with the
other animals, and eating carrots. As
he woke from his dream, Hare rubbed
his eyes and saw Tortoise—crossing
the finish line.
“No!” shouted Hare. “I’m faster!”
“Slow and steady wins the race,
Hare,” said Tortoise with a smile.
“Slow and steady.”
©Lakeshore www.lakeshorelearning.com
H
eron and Hummingbird were
old friends. Being birds, they
both loved to eat fish. While
Hummingbird liked small minnows,
Heron liked bigger fish.
One sunny morning, Hummingbird
said, “There may not be enough fish
in the world for both of us. So let’s
have a race. Whoever wins will get all
the fish in the rivers and lakes.”
Heron thought for a moment and
said, “That sounds fair.” The two
friends agreed to have a race lasting
four days. Whoever was first at the
tree at the far end of the river would
win the race—and all the fish!
At dawn the next morning, the
race began. Hummingbird was first
into the air, flying circles around
Heron before Heron got off the
ground. Then Heron flapped his
wings and moved ever forward.
Hummingbird was fast, but he
always flew here and there to drink
nectar from the flowers and
talk with the animals
along the river. By
the end of the
day, he was
tired. Knowing he was winning the
race, he decided to sleep. Heron just
flapped his wings and moved ever
forward.
On the second morning,
Hummingbird woke to see Heron
flying by. Hummingbird caught up
with Heron and flew circles around
him before racing down the river. By
the end of the day, Hummingbird
was very tired. Once again, he had
spent his time flying here and there,
talking with animals along the river.
While Hummingbird slept during the
night, Heron just flapped his wings
and moved ever forward.
On the third morning, Hummingbird
woke to see Heron far ahead. He
quickly caught up to him. Heron just
flapped his wings and moved ever
forward. Tired from another day of
flying here and there, Hummingbird
slept. “I’ll catch Heron tomorrow,” he
thought. “There’s still time.”
But when he woke in the morning
and flew down the river, he saw
Heron—sitting in the tree. The race
was won, and now Heron thought of
all the fish that were his to eat—and
all the nectar that was Hummingbird’s
to drink.
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©Lakeshore Story Elements
Story 1
Comparing Stories
Story Elements
That Are the Same
Name
©Lakeshore
www.lakeshorelearning.com
Story Elements
Story 2