Teaching the Theme of
Honesty while Understanding Characterization
with
“The Empty Pot”
Stories to Grow by
Looking for a great text on teaching the Theme of Honesty?
Would you also like an incredible Folktale to help teach the importance of
Characterization, both literally and figuratively, exploring how decisions both
affect us positively and negatively? At the same time, would you like to build
student engagement, fluency and comprehension while exposing students to
multi-cultural stories from all over the world with positive moral messages?
Then we have the lesson plan for you! Utilize the below lesson plan with our
Reader’s Theater Script, “The Empty Pot”. It would also work nicely with the
Story version as well. A positive message while teaching an important literary
skill: this is what you will find in all the Stories to Grow by Stories and
Reader’s Theater Scripts. This week’s themed story is The Empty Pot from China:
The Empty Pot:
A group of boys
who wish to be the next in line for Emperor are given "royal seeds"
to grow in six months’ time; whomever flourishes the best plant will be crowned
the successor. However, what the boys don't know, is that they've been tricked
to test their character! The "royal seeds" have been baked and
therefore won't grow a magnificent plant. Will any of the youth be honest
despite looking foolish and show up empty-handed or will they give in to their
desire to be Emperor, at the cost of being dishonest, and "grow" a plant
with a seed other than the one they were given? A true testament to character
when such a large prize is at stake. Find out here! Read the Script or
the Story.
The content of this tale
prompts skill-building for the Common Core Standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.2,
3.2, 3.3, 4.2, 5.2:
Unit Essential Question: How has Honesty played an
important role in your relationships with others?
