Illustration of a Yeti and unicorn
Art by Hazel Quintanilla
Fiction,

Up and Down: A Unicorn and a Yeti Story

Read a story about playing together with friends.

By Written by Heather Ayris Burnell Art by Hazel Quintanilla
From the September 2024 Issue

Learning Objective: Students will discuss the problem and solution in a fiction story. 

Lexiles: 290L
Featured Skill: Main Idea,
Topic: SEL,
Common Core Standards
  • RF.1.1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print RF.1.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words RL.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text RL.1.2 Retell stories RL.1.3 Describe character and setting using key details SL.1.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with peers and adults
TEKS Standards
  • Health
    (3) Mental health and wellness—social and emotional health. The student identifies and applies strategies to develop socio-emotional health, self-regulation, and healthy relationships. The student is expected to: (D) describe ways in which peers and families can work together to build healthy relationships; (E) describe ways to build and maintain friendships; (G) identify feelings and emotions expressed by others.

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“I wonder what Yeti is up to,” said Unicorn. 

“I wonder where Unicorn is,” said Yeti. “This seesaw looks fun!” 

Yeti tried to make it go up. 

The seesaw crashed back down.

Yeti put a rock on the seesaw. Now Yeti’s side was up, but it would not go down!

Yeti got off the seesaw. 

“That was not fun. Now what will I do?” said Yeti.

PAUSE AND THINK: Why isn’t the seesaw fun for Yeti?

“I saw you on the seesaw,” 

said Unicorn. “I want to play too!”

“The seesaw is not fun,” 

said Yeti. “It will not go up 

and down.”

Unicorn looked at Yeti.

“Who did you go on with?”

“No one,” said Yeti.

“A seesaw is made for two,” said Unicorn.

PAUSE AND THINK: What is Yeti thinking about?

Unicorn and Yeti 

both sat on the seesaw.

It did not move. 

“You are too small. I am too big,” said Yeti. 

“It will not work.”

“You have to push with your legs,” said Unicorn.

PAUSE AND THINK: Why isn’t the seesaw working yet?

Yeti went up.

Unicorn went down.

Unicorn went up.

Yeti went down. 

Up and down. Up and down.

“This is fun,” said Yeti.

PAUSE AND THINK: Why is the seesaw fun now?

“It is fun,” said Unicorn, “because we are playing—”

“Together!” said Yeti.

“Together is better,” said Unicorn.

Activities (2)
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)
Activities (2) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Skills Activities
Answer Key (1)

About the Story

English Language Arts Focus

Problem and solution

Social and Life Skills Focus

Friendship/relationship skills

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

Implementation

  • Whole group

Pairings and Text Connections

  • In this issue: “BIG Read-Aloud: The Lonely Little Horse” (pages 10-14), “How-to Text: How to Make a Friend” (page 15)
  • From the Storyworks archive: “Mini Graphic: Who Will I Play With?” (September 2022), “Picture This: Horse and Pup” (February 2024)
  • Suggested books: The Unicorn and Yeti series by Heather Ayris Burnell

Before-Reading Resources

  • Video: Can You Be a Good Friend? (5 minutes) Watch this video and discuss friendship skills.

Suggested Reading Focus

Problem and solution (20 minutes)

  • Begin by having children preview the pictures on the first two pages of the story. What do they think the problem will be in the story?
  • Read the story aloud while students follow along in their magazines. Model summarizing the section and asking comprehension questions at each Pause and Think.
  • Finally, focus in on the problem and solution of the story. Make a chart on the board or chart paper. What problem did Yeti have? How did Unicorn help solve it? You can also discuss what the friends learned in the end. Have children turn and talk with a partner about something they like to do that is more fun to do with a friend than it is to do alone.

 

 

After-Reading Skills Practice

  • Skills: Problem/solution; sequencing

Text-to-Speech