Lessons, Morals, and Central Message

It was a special day in Yosemite Elementary. Devon, a famous basketball player, was visiting the school and speaking to the third-grade students. Devon was also going to pick some kids for a weeklong basketball camp. That day, all the third graders behaved the best they could. Even the kids who never liked basketball, like Ty, tried to play. Ty wanted to look cool in front of his friends. Although he knew nothing about the game, he tried it. When Ty fell and nearly broke his arm, his teacher Mrs. Ramirez pulled him aside. "What are you doing, Ty?" Mrs. Ramirez asked kindly as she checked on his arm. "Oh, I was—trying—," Ty replied. He knew chess was his thing not basketball. "Ty, other famous people will visit your class," his teacher said. "Maybe we will have a chess player here one day. Don't try to be what you are not just to look cool." Ty knew that his teacher was right. From that day, Ty just wanted to be himself.

What is the lesson of this selection?

• It is best to always be yourself.

• Chess is not for everybody.

• Anyone can play basketball.

• You should not break your arm.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.2

Tara and Millie wanted to have a snack after school. "I want chocolate ice cream!" Tara said. "Me, too!" Millie said. Both girls raced to the kitchen. Tara got the ice cream out of the freezer. Millie got the bowls, spoons, and ice cream scoop. When Tara looked into the ice cream container, she saw that there was only enough for one serving of ice cream. She really wanted the chocolate ice cream. It was her absolute favorite snack in the world. "You know, I think I would rather have cookies," Tara told Millie. She gave the ice cream container to Millie and got some cookies out of the cupboard for herself.

What is the moral of this story?

• Cookies are better than chocolate ice cream.

• Snacking before dinner will ruin your appetite.

• Think of others before you think of yourself.

• Do not give in if you want something badly.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.2

Akito was the new kid at Dodd Elementary. He wanted to make a lot of new friends. In the lunchroom, he heard some of the other boys talking about their hobbies. "I play ice hockey," Tommy told everyone. "I love to fish," Oscar said. "I can play ten songs on the guitar," Tyrone bragged. "I can do all those things," Akito blurted out. "Wow!" the other boys said. They all wanted to talk to Akito. One day, Akito went to Tommy's house. "We can play hockey on the pond," Tommy said. As soon as they started playing, Tommy knew Akito had lied. Akito had never played hockey before. When Akito went to Oscar's house, Oscar took him fishing at the stream. Akito got the fishing line stuck in a tree. Oscar knew Akito did not know how to fish. That weekend, Akito went to Tyrone's house. Tyrone gave Akito his guitar to play, but Akito was terrible. Tyrone knew Akito could not play the guitar. After that, the boys did not want to be friends with Akito.

What is the lesson from this story?

• Everyone has something they are good at doing.

• Do not pretend to be something you are not.

• Only tell lies when you know you will not get caught.

• It is very important to make a lot of friends quickly.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.2

A woodcutter was cutting a tree on the bank of a river. His axe flew out of his hands and fell into the water. As he stood by the water's edge crying at his loss, Mercury appeared and asked him the reason for his pain. The woodcutter cried and said, "I am a poor man. I have lost my axe in the river, and now I cannot work." Mercury dove into the river and came up with a golden axe. "Is this your axe?" asked Mercury. "No," answered the woodcutter. Mercury dove a second time and bringing up a silver axe asked if that was his. "No, that is not mine either," said the woodcutter. Once more, Mercury dove into the river and brought up the missing axe. The woodcutter was very happy to see his axe and could not thank Mercury enough. Mercury was pleased with the woodcutter's honesty and rewarded him with both the golden and silver axes. The woodcutter returned home happily with his gifts.

What is the lesson of this story?

• One should be careful while using a sharp tool.

• People should learn to help each other.

• Being honest leads to good results.

• Accepting gifts from strangers is a good idea.

Tags

CCSS.RL.3.2