The Race of Toad and Deer

A bigheaded deer known for bragging about his quick speed and incredible strength is challenged to a race by a clever toad. Several residents of the jungle get together to watch the competition, and with their help, the toad manages to win. This Guatemalan version of the tortoise and hare fable is illustrated with eye-catching colors and flat outlined shapes.

Enrichment Activities
Internet Resources
Books by Pat Mora

Enrichment Activities

• Character Bar Graph
  After reading the story, have students draw a picture of their favorite animal character from the story. Then, use the drawings to create a bar graph on the chalkboard. Students will be able to easily see which animal was the most, or least, favorite.
  
  
• Character Comparison
  With the students help, use a Venn diagram to list comparing and contrasting qualities of the two main characters – the deer and the toad.
  
  
• Guatemala Research
  Use the information on Guatemala and a map of the country to teach your students about this fascinating country.
  
  
• Guest Speaker
  Invite a Spanish speaking guest into your classroom to share bilingual stories and games.
  
  
• Make a Maraca
  Enjoy the rhythms and sounds of maracas with your class.
  
  
• Rain Forest Research
  Have students research the rainforest and its diversity including its people, how and why rainforests are threatened, and strategies for saving them. Check out the lessons and references in our Rain Forest theme.
  
  
• TeacherVision's Hispanic Heritage Theme
  This theme page is packed with lessons, activities, and references for all grade levels about Hispanic Heritage.
  
  
• The Tortoise and the Hare
  Read Aesop's The Tortoise and the Hare. Have students compare this fable with The Race of Toad and Deer using a Venn diagram.

Internet Resources

Meet the Author
Grade Levels: Primary, Intermediate
Learn more about Pat Mora, a native of El Paso, Texas.
http://project1.caryacademy.org/echoes/poet_Pat_Mora/DefaultMora.htm

Rain Forest Animal Printouts
Grade Levels: Primary, Intermediate, Middle
Printouts of animals that have made adaptations to live in the rain forest.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/rainforest/animals/Rfbiome
animals.shtml

Books by Pat Mora

Agua, Agua, Agua
Aunt Carmen's Book of Practical Saints
Bakery Lady
A Birthday Basket for Tia
Confetti: Poems for Children
Delicious Hullabaloo/Pachanga Deliciosa
The Desert Is My Mother
House of Houses
Love to Mama: A Tribute to Mothers
Maria Paints the Hills
My Own True Name: New and Selected Poems for Young Adults
The Night the Moon Fell
Oye al desierto (Listen to the Desert)
Pablo's Tree
The Race of Toad and Deer
The Rainbow Tulip
This Big Sky
Tomas and the Library Lady
Uno, Dos, Tres: 1 2 3
Wachale!: Poetry and Prose about Growing Up Latino in America