NURSERY RHYME LESSON
The Lion and the Unicorn

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The Lion and the Unicorn
Text Type: Poetry • Word Count: 38

Nursery Rhyme Summary
The lion and the unicorn have a power struggle in the middle of town. The lion wins, and both are rewarded with treats from the townspeople. This is a good nursery rhyme for early readers. The illustrations will engage children’s attention.

Introduce the Poem
Show children the cover of the book. Quickly flip through the pages to show each illustration. Explain to children that you are going to read a nursery rhyme. Ask what they think the nursery rhyme might be about from looking at the illustrations.

Elicit Prior Knowledge
Ask children about some of their favorite nursery rhymes. Have a discussion about rhyme and poetry. Explain that nursery rhymes have been around for so long, that no one quite knows where they came from.

Next, have a discussion about unicorns and lions. Ask: Are lions tough fighters? What is a unicorn? Are unicorns real? Who do you think will win?

Before Reading
Invite children to ask questions as you read, especially if there is something they do not understand. Tell them to listen to the rhythm and the rhymes in the poem. Have them clap on the rhyming words as you read.

During the Reading
Be sure to read with expression. Pause occasionally and ask questions of children. Use think-aloud strategies and react to parts of the poem by asking questions, and showing emotional responses such as laughter. Exaggerate the rhyming words in the poem.

After the Reading
Reader Response
Ask children what they thought of the poem. Ask them to describe their favorite part or illustration.

Comprehension
Ask specific questions that allow children to demonstrate their understanding of the poem. Ask:
What was the poem about?
What did the people give the lion and the unicorn?