Comparing and Contrasting in Tops and Bottoms

A fun way to get your students to connect with and understand the two main characters is to have them compare and contrast their qualities. Janet Stevens does a good job at describing many differences and some similarities between the characters, Hare and Bear.

Students can use the text to find character traits and physical traits of Bear and Hare. Students can work individually or in pairs to research and compile a list of evidence. Once students have traits for each character, they can compare/contrast. Students will describe the traits they compiled about Hare on one side and the traits they discovered of Bear on the other. The traits that they both share will go in the middle. Using the T-Chart layout, students can create a version of a Venn Diagram!

Bear: wealthy

Hare: poor

Bear: lazy

Hare: hard working

Bear: animals

Hare: live in the same area

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting two characters from Tops and Bottoms.

1. Use the template provided by your teacher.
2. List the traits that are similar between your chosen characters in the middle cell.
3. On the right side, describe the traits that make one character unique.
4. On the left side, describe the traits that make the other character unique.
5. Illustrate each cell with appropriate characters and scenes!