We love Tops and Bottoms because it is a story all about planting and gardening with a great message for students. This book can be used in whole group instruction as well as small group lessons. There is so much you can do! - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
Hare and Bear are neighbors that live on a farm. The land is owned by Bear because his father left him all of his land and wealth. Hare has a wife and children and they are having a hard time with money. He and his wife come up with a plan to trick Bear and feed their children.
Hare asks Bear to be partners with him and explains they will split the profit down the middle. Bear just has to decide if he wants the tops or bottoms. When the crops are ready to be harvested, Hare gives Bear his choice of the tops. Bear realizes he is tricked when Hare keeps the vegetables and gives him the stems. Bear tells Hare to plant more crops and this time he wants the bottoms. Again, Hare tricks Bear!
In the end, Bear gives up and decides to plant his own crops. Hare is able to sell the vegetables he harvested and buy back his own land. Even though the two are still neighbors, they are no longer business partners.
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Wondering how you can use Tops and Bottoms in your own classroom? Check out our list below:
- The book lends itself to a lesson on character traits. Have students discuss the traits of both main characters.
- Help students examine the book and identify the message of this story and what they can learn from it.
- Ask students to form an opinion based on events from the story and write about their reasoning.
- Have students write this story from a different point of view.
- Explore the various ways to make a noun plural.
- Review contractions and pronouns.
- Lead a class discussion on the importance of teamwork.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
If you are looking for a resource to teach Tops and Bottoms in your classroom, you will want our Starts With a Story Book Companion. Our goal with these book companions is to help make planning read alouds easier for teachers!
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- The Donkey Egg by Janet Stevens
- The Gardener by Sarah Stewart
- The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey
- Owl Moon by Jane Yolen
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
