Ages 5-8
Every Lesson:
Aligned to
Common Standards
• Includes discussion starters and questions to
check for understanding
Every lesson plan aligns with gradelevel standards in Reading, Writing,
Speaking & Listening and Literacy
and supports age appropriate
learning mindsets and behaviors.
• Identifies key vocabulary and tricky phrasing
Lesson Plans
Lesson Plans
• Features engaging writing prompts
• Includes activities and at least one printable
activity or resource
Seven book-based lesson plans that elaborate on the third letter of NED’s name.
LESSON PLANS FOR AGES 5-8
Book Title and Author
AL FO
DE
I
R
Just a Duck
Printable Activities
Carin Bramsen
AGES
5-6
Big Ideas
• Photos of Animals: Teaching aid
• I Can Book: Story retelling,
personalization and writing practice
• Art Collage: Textural art project
Do Your Best
Uniqueness of Me
Friendship
Compassion
Self-Acceptance
Never Give Up
Determination
Pete the Cat & the New Guy
• Writing Prompt: Writing practice
• Second Writing Prompt: Writing
practice
Clorinda
• Writing Sheet: Story telling and
reflection
• Good, Better, Best: Self-Assessment
Kimberly and James Dean
Robert Kinerk
Illustrated by Steven Kellogg
LESSON PLANS FOR AGES 8-12
Book Title and Author
Printable Activities
Big Ideas
Calvin Can’t Fly
• Everyone’s Unique: Identify and
reflection chart (double-sided)
Unicorn Thinks He’s
Pretty Great
Bob Shea
• Story Planning: Pre-write brainstorm
• Peer Edit Guide: Reference handout
• When We Do Our Best: Personal
reflection with partners
The Dot
• Graphic Organizer: Persuasive Writing
Organizer
Better Than You
• Personal Inventory: Self-assesment
• Class Survey: Create a list to identify
unique traits
Jennifer Berne
Illustrated by Keith Bendis
Peter H. Reynolds
Trudy Ludwig
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Do Your Best
Never Give Up
Uniqueness of Me
Self-Acceptance
Encouragement
Boasting
©2015 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show®
More lesson plans & resources at www.theNEDshow.com/teachers
Just a Duck?
by Carin Bramsen
Themes
Cat and Duck are friends. Duck wants to do everything
that Cat does but he finds that his best efforts don’t
produce the same results as Cat’s best efforts. Duck
soon discovers what he is best at and they both learn
that they are real heroes because of their unique
abilities.
Do Your Best
Uniqueness of Me
Friendship
Compassion
Self Acceptance
Encourage Others
Heroes
Appreciation of
Differences
I
R
AL FO
DE
AGES
Key Vocabulary
5-6
Slink: to move as if afraid or ashamed. Creep
close to the ground to avoid attention.
Shame: to feel like you have done something
not right
Shimmy shake: to move and wobble your body
from head to toes
Bat at leaves: to swing and softly hit, not to hurt
or destroy
Before Reading: Discussion Starters
PRINTABLE:
Photos of Animals
Teacher Note:
NED reminds kids to do their best
at everything!
“Even if you can’t do something as
great as someone else – always try
to do your personal best. That’s what
makes you a champion! And, if you
never give up, you will get better and
better with practice.”
1. Show students an empty box and ask, “If you looked into a box and saw a cat, what you
would see?” Answers will vary: four legs, furry, nose, ears, tail. If students are having trouble
visualizing and describing – show them the picture of the cat. Help them to focus on the physical
description – not sounds they might hear!
2. Could that same description fit a duck? Why? Why not? Describe how they are the same and
different? Answers will vary as students compare and contrast a duck and cat’s physical features.
3. We’re going to read a story about a cat and a duck who want to be friends. Do you think that
would work? Why? Why not? Answers will vary
After Reading: Discussion Starters
1.Why did Duck want to do everything that Cat did?
They were good friends and enjoyed playing together. Duck wanted to grow up to be just like a cat.
2.Describe what actions/motions Duck tried to do to be just like cat. Did Duck do his best?
What would NED say to Duck when he failed?
Answers will vary; slinking-no problem. Climb a tree (race to the top)-duck couldn’t grip the tree with
his feet and he didn’t have 4 legs like cat. NED would encourage Duck for trying and trying…never
giving up.
3.What did Cat do when Duck struggled to climb the tree? Was Cat acting NED-like?
Cat encouraged Duck that he needed more time to grow. Cat did not make fun of him, brag or boast.
Cat was an encourager like NED! Cat tried to find something else that they both could do.
4.What was Duck able to do his best at that Cat could not do? Swimming in the water.
5.Have you ever been like Cat? Are there things that YOU are best at and others struggle
with? Have you ever felt like Duck? Are there things that others are best at and you struggle
with?
©2014 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® All Rights Reserved
Free lesson plans & resources at www.theNEDshow.com/teachers
Just a Duck
by Carin Bramsen
Themes
Do Your Best
Uniqueness of Me
Friendship
Compassion
Self Acceptance
Encourage Others
Heroes
Appreciation of
Differences
PRINTABLE:
“I Can” Book
Answers will vary. Help students to realize that each of them has something that is easy for
them and sometimes others wish they could do the same thing. Reinforce how it’s nice to
encourage others instead of making fun of them or hurting their feelings when you are better
at something than they are. Remind them to never give up and do their best in everything
they try.
6.How did Cat feel when Duck was “best” at swimming?
Answers will vary. Cat considered duck a hero because he saved the day.
7.Did Duck brag and boast about being the best swimmer?
No – he actually thought he was just a duck.
8.How did Duck and Cat play together in the end? They did the drip-dry shimmy shake for
two! Who was better at doing the dry-dry shimmy shake? They both did their best.
Writing Prompt
Make an “I Can” Book Each student can draw, color and write in this simple two-page
booklet. Print double-sided and fold.
Activities
Can You Be a Cat? This is a great brain break activity to help students refresh and
rejuvenate.
• Pretend to SLINK around the room.
Get close to the ground and slowly and quietly lifting one leg high and then placing
it down. Repeat with second leg.
• Pretend to CLIMB a tree.
Move arms and legs as if climbing a tree higher and higher. Move one arm, then
the second arm, one leg and then other leg. Repeat until you get to the top of the
tree!
• Pretend to JUMP UP and bat at leaves.
Jump and stretch with your right hand and then jump and stretch with your left
hand.
• Pretend to SWIM.
Use your arms only and do different swimming strokes.
• Do the DRIP-DRY SHIMMY SHAKE!
PRINTABLE:
Resources
Art Collage Send Home
Art Collage Use the printable of a simple drawing of a cat and duck to create a texture
collage. What can students add, from the art supplies in the classroom, to show the unique
features of a cat and duck? Suggested materials: scrap pieces of fake fur, feathers, glass
eyes, black buttons. TEACHER NOTE: This activity makes a great parent/child home
project. Have students bring back their completed collages to share with the class.
Accelerated Reading Quiz: 171838
Author Website: www.carinbramsen.com
“I Did My Best” Button
NED buttons are a great reward when students
do their personal best! Visit www.thenedshow.com/
shop_ned to purchase.
©2014 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® All Rights Reserved
Free lesson plans & resources at www.theNEDshow.com/teachers
“Orange tabby cat sitting on fallen leaves” by Hisashi is licensed under CC BY 2.0
© 2015 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® • www.theNEDshow.com/lessonplans
Just a Duck?
Do your best
Give it all you can
Never give up
Cause that’s
NED’s plan
© 2015 All for KIDZ® www.theNEDshow.com/lessonplans
Book
My
Cats can
But I can’t
yet!
I can
But cats can’t
Ducks can
But ducks can’t
© 2015 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® • www.theNEDshow.com/lessonplans
Art Collage
Pete the Cat and the New Guy
by Kimberly & James Dean
Themes
Key Vocabulary
Do Your Best
Friendship
Self-Acceptance
Uniqueness of Me
Appreciation of
Differences
Imagine: to picture in your mind
Shy: not comfortable, bashful,
somewhat fearful
Platypus: a mammal that is unlike
other mammals. They have a wide bill
like a duck, flat tail like a beaver, and
lay eggs like a chicken.
Tricky Phrasing
It’s always fun to have more friends but what happens
when you meet someone new that is so very different
from you? Pete the Cat learns that even though Gus
looks different and moves different that any of his other
friends, Gus is special in his own way. They all discover
that there is always something everyone can do and if
everyone does their best, great things can happen.
Before Reading: Discussion Starters
1. Have you ever been the new kid at school? How did
it feel?
2. What do you think when you see a new kid at
school? How do you act towards the new kid?
3. If you did your very best, what would you do to
make the new kid feel accepted at school?
After Reading: Discussion Starters
1.What was it that Pete first saw that made him want
to be friends with the new kid?
Rocking to a new song or rocking to his
own beat: enjoying the music, playing
with the music
Sounds like my kind of cat: someone I
would enjoy having as a friend
Groovy sound: very pleasing, wonderful,
great. (slang term)
Teacher Note:
Kids struggle when they are
not as good at something as
someone else is. It is a hard
thing to learn but we each
have different strengths and
weaknesses. Encourage your
students to do their personal best
and not compare themselves to
others. Their uniqueness is what
makes a class full of kids fun.
Together they can do great things
if everyone does their best.
Red hat and green shoes. Why did Pete say “Sounds like my kind of cat”? Pete wore bright
colored shoes too – but his were orange.
2.Was it easy for Pete to meet the new kid? Did Pete do his best to make friends? What did he
do? Pete was feeling shy but he wanted to say hi so he didn’t give up. He kept riding by Gus’ house.
Pete was determined and did his best to be friends with Gus.
3.What was Pete’s first impression when he finally met Gus? Answers will vary. Gus was very
different than anyone Pete had ever met. Gus was NOT like Pete and Pete was NOT like Gus.
4.How did Pete feel about meeting people who were different? He thought it was very cool which
means he like it. How do you feel when you meet someone who is different from you? Share stories.
5.How did Pete and his friends respond when Gus couldn’t do the things that were easy for
them to do? Answers will vary. They encouraged him to try new things (climb a tree, leapfrog).
Encouraged him to not be sad. Reminded him that everyone is different and can do different things.
6.How did Gus respond when he couldn’t do something that everyone else could do? He
©2014 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® All Rights Reserved
Free lesson plans & resources at www.theNEDshow.com/teachers
Pete the Cat and the New Guy
by Kimberly & James Dean
Themes
Do Your Best
Friendship
Self-Acceptance
Uniqueness of Me
Appreciation of Differences
wished he could. Tried a few new things. Eventually felt discouraged enough to say “It’s no fun
around here for me.” He went away from the others.
7.Have you ever wished you could do something that your friend could do? How did it
feel? How did your friend respond? Share stories.
8.Describe how the story ended. How was each animal important to the band? Answers
will vary. Individual talents make a better band – more instruments, better sound. Each used
their talent and together it made a fun activity for everyone.
9.What did you learn from this story? Answers will vary. We each have unique talents and
we should always do our best with those talents. We also need to know that we can’t always
do what others do but we should try and do our best to try new things. Your best may look
different from someone else’s best but if you know you did your very best – it’s okay. If you
look at your group of friends – you each have different talents but when you put them all
together – you can do great things- like having a full band!
Writing Prompt
PRINTABLE:
Writing Prompt
PRINTABLE:
2nd Writing Prompt
Use the printable to fill in the blanks of this sentence: You are not like me, and I am not
like you, but I think being different is _________. Write something you can do and draw
yourself.
Use the printable to fill in the sentence. Then, think of three things you CAN do! Draw a
picture of each thing you can do.
Activities
There is something everyone can do Work with a partner and talk about what you each
can do. Find one thing that each of you do best. Introduce your partner to the rest of the
class and share what he/she does best at.
Create a Poster Everyone is good at something. What are you good at? Create a poster
that shows others what you do well and three things you do in order to “Do Your Best” at it.
Share your poster (and possibly your unique skill with the rest of the class/school)
Resources
Sing with Pete Visit www.harpercollinschildrens.com/petethecat for music and videos that
can enhance the stories and help stimulate class conversation.
Accelerated Reading Quiz: 168968
Author Website: www.petethecat.com
Video of book read-aloud:
www.harpercollinschildrens.com/petethecat
“I Did My Best” Button
NED buttons are a great reward when students
do their personal best! Visit www.thenedshow.com/
shop_ned to purchase.
©2014 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® All Rights Reserved
Free lesson plans & resources at www.theNEDshow.com/teachers
Name:
Directions: Trace the letters and fill in the blank. Then, draw yourself and fill in what you can do!
Ic n
jump!
Ic n
Yo-yo!
© 2015 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® • www.theNEDshow.com/lessonplans
Ic n
Writing Prompt
I can
© 2015 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® • www.theNEDshow.com/lessonplans
But I can
I can
I can
Directions: Fill in the blanks to finish the sentence. Then, write three things you can do and draw pictures for each!
Name:
Clorinda
by Robert Kinerk and illustrated by Steven Kellogg
Themes
Tricky Phrasing
Key Vocabulary
Do Your Best
Never Give Up
Uniqueness of Me
Determination
Self-Acceptance
Humility
Courage
Following Dreams
Encourage Others
Remote: a far distance away from town
Mischance: an unfortunate incident or accident
Scoffed: make fun of
Throb: mild, steady pain
Theatrical agent: person who helps actors and
dancers get hired for jobs
Indisposed: temporarily not available
Fervent: with great feelings
Hushed: to become quiet
Gasped: sudden breath because of surprise
Stunned: shocked or amazed
Triumph: joy from victory or success
Nimbly: with quick, gentle, easy movements
Planks: piece of wood or board
“Buck Up”: cheer up and don’t be
discouraged
“Pounded the pavement”: means to walk
through the streets looking for job
Ballet Terms
Clorinda the Cow loves to dance even though her
farm friends tell her she can’t dance. Farmhand
Leonard is the only one who encourages her to be
bold and imaginative and shoot for the sky! Clorinda’s
determination and “Never Give Up” attitude takes her
on an amazing adventure where she learns that the
most important thing is to always “Do Your Best.”
Pirouetting (peer-oo-wetting):
twirling around on one foot
Corps de ballet (core, di, bahlay’): large group of dancers
Jetes (zhe-tays’): from French
word – to throw. Dancer jumps
and weight is thrown from one
foot to the other.
En barre: dance stretches and
exercises using a bar attached to
the wall
Bravo and Bravissima:
expressions to say “well done”
Teacher Note: NED reminds kids
to do their best at everything!
“Even if you can’t do something as
great as someone else – you should
always try to do YOUR personal
best. That’s what makes you a
champion at school and in life! “
Before Reading: Discussion Starters
1.Have you ever wanted to try something but thought you couldn’t do it?
2.Do you know anyone who said they couldn’t do something, but when they tried, they could
do it?
3.What if you loved doing something but weren’t very good at it - would you keep doing it?
How would you feel if others told you to stop trying?
After Reading: Discussion Starters
1.What made Clorinda want to try to dance? She watched a show on classical dance. She really
liked what she saw and wanted to try.
©2014 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® All Rights Reserved
Free lesson plans & resources at www.theNEDshow.com/teachers
Clorinda
by Robert Kinerk and illustrated by Steven Kellogg
Themes
Do Your Best
Never Give Up
Uniqueness of Me
Determination
Self-Acceptance
Humility
Courage
Following Dreams
Encourage Others
2.Those around Clorinda had different reactions to her dancing. How did they respond
and who was most NED-like? The farmhand Leonard supported her by building a stage
for her. But, the other animals said she couldn’t do it and even called her names. Leonard was
most NED-like when he told her to be bold, be imaginative and “Never Give Up’”on what
she loved.
3.How did Clorinda respond to her critics? She cried because it hurt but she never gave up
and listened to the encouraging words of one friend – Leonard.
4.What did Clorinda do to help herself reach her goals? Practiced hard, moved to New
York, searched for dancing jobs, worked other jobs while waiting, didn’t get discouraged by
the rejections, cried yet she never gave up trying to do her best!
5.Did Clorinda do her best? Was her best as good as someone else’s best? Why did she
receive applause at the end of the performance? Clorinda did her very best at all times.
Sometimes, it was just as good as others, but in the end she failed at the big jump. The
audience applauded because she did her best, even though she missed.
6.Have you ever done your very best and failed? Answers will vary. Allows students to
share their stories and help them to see that what is important is doing your best at all times.
7.How did Clorinda’s friends change at the end? They were willing to try something new,
like ballet.
PRINTABLE:
Writing Sheet
Writing Prompt
Use the printable to tell the story of a time when you tried something and failed. What did
you learn? What happened when you didn’t give up and continued to “Do Your Best”?
Activities
PRINTABLE:
Good, Better, Best
Self Assessment When you do your best, sometimes things you do are ‘good’ or ‘better’
or ‘best.’ You don’t have to be the best at everything – you just need to “Do Your Best”!
Using the printable assessment, direct student to make a list of 10 things they like to do.
They can rate themselves on their effort level for each item and think of ways to improve.
Movement Activity: Beat Your Best! As a group, jump on one foot and count the
jumps. When you miss, sit down and write down the number of jumps you successfully
made. Keep going until everyone has a number. Afterward, discuss: How many of you think
you did your best? Could you do a little better? Let’s try to BEAT YOUR BEST by jumping
again and trying your best to jump two more times than your previous number.
Resources
Post it! Make posters for your school to encourage others! Focus on determination and
perseverance and show your classmates that success is within your reach if you “Never Give
Up” and “Do Your Best.”
Accelerated Reading Quiz: 74022
Author Website: www.robertkinerk.com
“I Did My Best” Button
NED buttons are a great reward when students
do their personal best! Visit www.thenedshow.com/
shop_ned to purchase.
©2014 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® All Rights Reserved
Free lesson plans & resources at www.theNEDshow.com/teachers
Directions: Tell the story of a time when you tried something and failed. What did you learn?
What happened when you didn’t give up and continued to do your best?
Once I tried to
thing most importa
nt is
The
making a try
y
a
s
w
t
l
r
i
a
u
m
t
’
ph. Y
n
a
c
o
u
.
u can
s
Yo
’t always fly
se
e it our best, but th
v
s
i
a
g
ere’s
m
bound to be
We ’s take a bow and
es!
s
t
s
let’s
i
e
l
blow
ek
w
them som
No
- CLORINDA
BY ROBERT KINERK
HIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIH
IHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHI
Name:
IHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHI
HIHIHIHI HIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIHIH
Name:
Directions: Make a list of 10 things you like to do. Score yourself on
your effort. What could you do to ‘Do Your Best’ - not necessarily be
the best - at each of them.
e yourself:
Scor
Things I like to DO! good better best
Are you doing your best?
If not, what could you do to “Do Your Best”?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
© 2015 All for KIDZ®, Inc. Producers of The NED Show® • www.theNEDshow.com/lessonplans
Good, Better, Best