English 12RA – September 3, 2015 Do Now: Place your nameplate on your desk. Take out the Rubric for An Invisible Thread – Letter to Laura Schroff handout. You were asked to read through the rubric and write down any questions or observations you made. Be sure you have at least one question or observation to share with the class.

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 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 the tortoise, they woke up Hare. Hare stretched and yawned and began to run again, but it was too late. Slow and Steady was over the line. After that, Hare always reminded himself, "Don't brag about your lightning pace, for Slow and Steady won the race!“ https://www.storyarts.org/library/aesops/stories/tortoise.html

The Tortoise and the Hare: Your Task Write a two-page letter to Aesop’s Fables in which you develop your thoughts and feelings about the story. Consider parts of the story you found interesting, observations you made while reading, questions you may ask the author, or personal reactions you made. Be sure to make references to specific moments from the story and use at least two direct citations from the text to develop and support your thinking.

Content & Analysis: Level 5 The Tortoise and the Hare is a traditional fable – one that we have all been told since a young age. This fable is usually related to ideas about avoiding procrastination, and carefully considering your choices. The tortoise and the Hare prove to both be unique characters. The tortoise lives up to his name and takes the race slow and steady, while the Hare is overly confident – so much so that he oversleeps and loses the race. The unique part about each character is their reaction to the race’s outcome. The tortoise remains humble and respectful, while the Hare becomes reflective. These character traits are what make the author’s message so powerful. Yes, procrastination can result in failure. Yes, taking your time can pay off. However, it is how we react after failure or unexpected success that truly defines us.

Read the sentence below Read the sentence below. Based on what we have discussed, what grade would this sentence receive (5, 4, 3, 2/1) and why? Although The Tortoise and the Hare may seem like a childish, and rather predictable, story, the author’s message really is a universal and long- lasting one: don’t procrastinate. All too often we put things off – waiting until we can’t possibly wait anymore. The Hare did just that. By taking a nap under the tree, he wasted time and therefore lost the race to Slow and Steady. The tortoise understood the value of time. By staying consistent the tortoise was able to reach his goal, leaving the Hare to reconsider his decisions.

Command of Evidence: Level 5 The Hare begins the race overly confident being described as one “who bragged about how fast he could run” (Aesop 21). However, as the story unfolds, the Hare’s cockiness gets the best of him, causing him to “stretch himself out alongside the road” and relax (21). The change in Hare’s character comes at the end of the story when he states, “Don’t brag about your lightning pace, for Slow and Steady won the race!” (21). By using the word “brag,” the Hare reveals to the reader that he was aware of how he acted prior to losing the race and it foreshadows a change in him for the future.

Read the sentence below Read the sentence below. Based on what we have discussed, what grade would this sentence receive (5, 4, 3, 2/1) and why? Slow and Steady took his time when trying to finish the race and never stopped walking. The story says “he never, ever stopped until he came to the finish line.”

Coherence, Organization, & Style: Level 5 It is also important to note that the tortoise never showed off his victory to Hare. After winning the race, he did not boast about how intelligent he was nor did he criticize how foolishly Hare had acted. Aesop’s lesson may be that “Slow and Steady wins the race,” but another lesson might be that one should be modest even after a victory (Aesop 21).

Read the sentence below Read the sentence below. Based on what we have discussed, what grade would this sentence receive (5, 4, 3, 2/1) and why? One is, work hard and you’ll succeed, but the other lesson is don’t show off when you have proven yourself right. I think there are two kinds of lessons here in this fable.

Control of Conventions: Level 5 A recent personal experience that connects to this lesson is how I had studied for tests in the past. For example, I know better than to wait until the night before a test to cram everything in. Last year, I decided to heed my teacher’s advice and study ahead before final exams. I reviewed, made flash cards, and tested myself a little everyday. I couldn’t believe that on my Algebra Regents, I actually scored an 85!

Read the sentence below Read the sentence below. Based on what we have discussed, what grade would this sentence receive (5, 4, 3, 2/1) and why? I am like the Hare. Once when I studied for the Algebra test in June. Example: I should know better then to wait until the night before to cram everything in. Last year, I actually decided to studdee. So, i listened to my teacher’s advice’s. I got off my lazy butt and made flash cards. Couldn’t believe I got an 85, yo.