1. The Tap Dancer
Author Unknown

2. Tier 1
The Story
Jacob’s Ladder Goals
and
Objectives
Habits of Mind

3. The Tap Dancer
There once was a horse who dreamed of becoming a famous tap dancer. He loved dancing more than anything. He found a flat concrete section near a riverbank where he could practice his dance. Everyday the horse would practice on the concrete, his hooves hitting the solid ground, making wonderful tapping sounds. After much practice the horse said, I am now a tap dancer.”

4. He held a recital so all his friends could watch him dance
He held a recital so all his friends could watch him dance. All of his animal friends came to watch the performance. The horse gave a wonderful show, giving his best effort. When the horse was done, he took a deep bow. There was silence. Not one of his friends clapped for the horse and his tap dancing.
One friend said, “You’re not a tap dancer. You are only a horse, an animal like us. You will never be a dancer.”

5. All of the other animals laughed as they walked away leaving the horse alone. The horse said to himself, “I am a great dancer. I know it. I will continue to dance for myself.” And so he did! He enjoyed many years of tap dancing on the riverbank. Even though his friends did not understand his dream, he continued to dance for himself.

6. Students will be able:
Ladder A
A1 Sequencing-To list in order of importance specific events or plot summaries
A2 Cause and Effect-To identify and predict relationships between character behavior and story events, and their effects upon other characters or events.
A3 Consequences and Implications-To predict character actions, story outcomes, and make real-world forecasts.
Ladder C
C1 Literary Elements-To identify and explain specific story elements such as character, setting, or poetic-device.
C2 Inference-To use textual clues to read between the lines and make judgments about specific textual events, ideas, or character analysis.
C3 Theme and Concept-To identify a major idea or theme common throughout the text.

7. Habits of Mind Posing Questions
Applying Past Knowledge to New Situations
Innovating, Imagining
Refer to Jacob’s Ladder Story Table for Ladders A and C Thinking Questions.

8. Discussion High Level Strategies with Ladder A and C Questions
Tier 2 Rigor
Discussion
High Level Strategies with
Ladder A and C Questions

9. Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames) Choose two of the three.
A1--1.Determine the three most important events from the story place them in order in a storyboard.
A2--2.What effect did his friends’ laughter have on the horse? Think of a time someone has laughed at you. How was your reaction similar or different from that of the horse in the story?
C1--3.What character traits does the horse possess? What do you admire about him?

10. Discussion High Level Strategies with Ladder A and C Questions
Tier 3 Rigor
Discussion
High Level Strategies with
Ladder A and C Questions

11. Discussion Strategies: Think-Pair-Share, Write-around, 3-4 Podcast slides (Pixie, Frames) Choose two of the three.
A3--1. What would have happened if the audience had clapped? How would it have changed the outcome of the story?
C2--2.What evidence or details in the story tell you that the horse was serious about becoming a great tap dancer?
C3--3.What important idea does the story of “The Tap Dancer” tell us?

12. Reflections/Relevance
Tier 4
Reflections/Relevance

13. Choose one of the writing ideas to complete. Be creative!
Convince others how important it is to be persistent about something you like to do even though others show no support or enthusiasm.
2. Develop this storystarter…..The tap dancing horse went on to be famous. He actually found himself….
Be creative with either question you choose to complete.  Here are some suggested project strategies:  Write a Podcast script; create a puppet show; develop a PSA; a PowerPoint presentation; write and be an actor in a skit; write a persuasive speech and give it before the class.