"Dear Peter Rabbit" Lesson Plan

Goal: After hearing (and/or reading) Peter Rabbit, the students will work on story elements and writing a letter to Peter Rabbit.

Note: All links listed here can be found on this site named "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter Writing Lesson" listed at the bottom of this site. (Includes Templates, interactives and more)

I. Grade Level Expectations

•Identify story elements of setting (ELA-1-E3)
•Identify story elements of characters (ELA-1-E3)
•Identify story elements of plot (ELA-1-E3)
•Identify story elements of problems and solutions (ELA-1-E4)
•Compare the similarities/differences between events in a story and events in life (ELA-1-E6)
•Apply basic reasoning skills by telling differences between reality and fantasy in texts (ELA-7-E4)
•Write simple stories with a central idea or event; a beginning, middle, and end; and details (ELA-2-E1)
•Participate in group writing activities and processes, including using prewriting strategies, including listing, brainstorming, and drawing to generate ideas for writing (ELA-2-E3)
•Write for various purposes, including responses that follow simple formats, including envelopes, lists, and journals (ELA-2-E6)

II. Planning and LInks: NOTE: Lesson links can also be found below.

1.Building Background: Share sites with Peter Rabbit activities from "Peter Rabbit Online" (See URL below) Click on play games, click “characters” to discuss the characters in the story.

2. Story: Read “Peter Rabbit” with the students online (See URL below) or by using the book. Discuss the story elements, events and have students retell the story in their own words. Ask questions about the story details.

3. Story Elements: Go to Read Write Think’s Story Map Link and have the class (or students) work on a Story Map that includes story elements. (Character, setting, conflict, resolution) Link is listed below.

4. Graphic Organizer: This MS Word web template may be downloaded for students to type six questions or statements to Peter Rabbit. MS Word Document can be found on the "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter Writing Lesson" link listed below. Have the students save their webs with their name and/or initials.

5. Writing Letter: Now once the graphic organizers are complete, the students will type letters to Peter Rabbit. The teacher can use one of two templates online.

•Printable letter for writing rough drafts can be found can be found on the "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter Writing Lesson" link listed below.

•Once rough drafts are written, students can use any of the interactive forms for electronic versions:

a. Interactive MS Word Template: Students type in the date, the greeting, the body of the letter and the salutation. Template can be found can be found can be found on the "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter" Writing Lesson link listed below.

b. Interactive PowerPoint Template: Download PowerPoint Template can be found can be found on the "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter" Writing Lesson link listed below.

Once the PowerPoint template is downloaded, go to Slide Show at the top. Click “View Show.” Go to advance the slide or click enter. The child or teacher can type in their story in the white box. Then save each PowerPoint with that child’s name or the class name. Practice reading as a class.

c. Other options to write friendly letters can be found can be found on the "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter Writing" Lesson link listed below.

•ReadWriteThink Friendly Letter Generator
•Study Zone Letter Interactive
•Let’s Write a Letter Interactive
•ReadWriteThink Post Card Generator

6. Art: Students can make bunny hats or headbands. One site to help can be found can be found on the "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter" Writing Lesson link listed below.

7.Presenting Letters to the Class: Each student will present or read their letter to the class. Note: Students can wear their bunny ears while reading their letters to Peter Rabbit. Film stories with a flip camera. Share with the class at the end of the unit.

8. Webpage/Blog: Optional: For those with websites, the students can take pictures of each other with digital cameras and the teacher can place the students letter with a picture of the student who wrote the letter. You can do this with blogs as well. (See example to share with students. Mrs. Sadie's letter to Peter can be found can be found on the "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter" Writing Lesson link listed below.

9.More extension ideas for Easter activities can be found on the Vermilion Parish Easter Holiday site can be found can be found on the "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter Writing" Lesson link listed below.

10. Extension Story: Comparing fiction and non-fiction stories of rabbits and survival. Real life story of a rabbit named Bugs who survived Hurricane Katrina (PowerPoint) can be found can be found on the "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter Writing" Lesson link listed below.

Teacher can use one “Compare and Contrast” interactives from stories or use one Venn Diagrams links can be found can be found on the "Dear Peter Rabbit Letter Writing" Lesson link listed below.