Here you’ll find a variety of lesson plans, with one for each age group. Feel free to mix and match the activities that work best for your students. There’s also an alternative lesson plan at the end for even more flexibility.
This page includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you decide to buy through these links, it won’t cost you extra. Thank you!
Pre-K Lesson Plan (Ages 3-4)
Learning Objectives
Identify the main character and his dream in the story.
Practice fine motor skills through gluing and handling small objects.
Verbally express personal dreams or wishes.
Follow simple multi-step directions.
Materials
Procedure (40 minutes)
(5 mins) Introduction: Gather the children and ask them what it means to have a dream or a big wish. Introduce the book 'Clyde the Reindeer Learns To Fly' and its main character who has a very big dream.
(10 mins) Story Time: Watch the read-aloud video or read the book. Ask simple questions throughout, like 'How do you think Clyde is feeling?' to keep them engaged.
(10 mins) Dream Discussion: After the story, have a short circle time discussion. Ask the children to share a dream or something they wish they could do, just like Clyde wanted to fly.
(15 mins) Dream Cloud Craft: Give each child a piece of blue construction paper. Show them how to make a big, fluffy cloud shape with glue and then stick cotton balls onto it. Let them sprinkle glitter on their 'dream cloud' to make it magical. As they work, talk about how their cloud represents their own special dream.
Kindergarten Lesson Plan - Age 5
Learning Objectives
Sequence 3-4 key events from the story in the correct order.
Identify the problem and solution in the narrative.
Develop an understanding of cause and effect (e.g., practicing helps you get better).
Practice fine motor skills by folding and throwing a paper airplane.
Materials
Book and/or Read Aloud Video
Story sequencing cards (teacher-made or printed)
Procedure (45 minutes + 20 mins optional Q&A)
(5 mins) Warm-Up: Ask students what it means to 'never give up'. Introduce the story by explaining it's about a reindeer who had to try very, very hard to achieve his dream.
(10 mins) Read Aloud: Play the read-aloud video of 'Clyde the Reindeer Learns To Fly' or read the book aloud.
(10 mins) Story Sequencing: Use prepared picture cards of key events (Clyde dreaming, finding out there's an opening, practicing flying, succeeding). Have students work in small groups or as a class to put the cards in the correct order and retell the story.
(15 mins) Paper Airplane Flight School: Give each student a piece of paper. Guide them through the steps of making a simple paper airplane. Let them decorate their planes. Take them to an open area (gym or outdoors) to test their planes, encouraging them to try different ways of throwing to see what works best, just like Clyde had to practice flying.
(5 mins) Wrap-up: Connect the activity back to the story. Ask: 'Did your plane fly perfectly the first time? What did you do to make it fly better? That's called perseverance, just like Clyde showed!'
(20 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video. Afterward, lead a discussion prompting students to think of new questions they would like to ask the author about writing the story or about the Amazing Critter Rescue Crew's next adventure.
1st Grade Lesson Plan - Age 6
Learning Objectives
Define 'growth mindset' and 'perseverance' in their own words.
Identify specific challenges Clyde faced and the strategies he used to overcome them.
Write a complete sentence describing a personal goal.
Illustrate the connection between effort and achievement.
Materials
Book and/or Read Aloud Video
Worksheet with a 'path' drawn on it
Procedure (50 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Introduction & Vocabulary: Watch the read-aloud video or read the book aloud. Afterwards, introduce the term 'Growth Mindset'. Create a T-chart on anchor paper for 'Fixed Mindset' (e.g., 'I can't do it') vs. 'Growth Mindset' (e.g., 'I can't do it... YET!'). Discuss how Clyde showed a growth mindset.
(10 mins) Mapping Clyde's Success: As a class, map out Clyde's journey on the anchor chart. What was his dream? What was a challenge he faced? (He couldn't fly). What did he do? (He practiced). What was the result? (He learned!).
(20 mins) My Perseverance Path: Hand out worksheets with a winding path drawn on them. At the start of the path, students write or draw something they want to learn to do (e.g., tie their shoes, read a harder book). Along the path, they can draw pictures of themselves practicing. At the end of the path, they draw themselves succeeding.
(10 mins) Share and Reflect: Allow a few students to share their 'Perseverance Path' with the class. Emphasize that, like Clyde, learning new things takes time and practice.
(20 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video. Afterward, lead a discussion prompting students to think of new questions they would like to ask the author about writing the story or about the Amazing Critter Rescue Crew's next adventure.
2nd Grade Lesson Plan - Age 7
Learning Objectives
Analyze a character's motivations and traits.
Make text-to-self connections about setting and achieving goals.
Write a short narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Practice using descriptive words to convey effort and emotion.
Materials
Book and/or Read Aloud Video
Procedure (60 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Pre-Reading Discussion: Pose the question: 'Think of a time you worked really hard for something. What was it, and what did you do?' After a brief share, introduce Clyde as a character who knows a lot about working hard for a 'Big Show'.
(10 mins) Active Viewing: Watch the read-aloud video or read the book aloud. Ask students to listen for words or scenes that show Clyde's determination.
(10 mins) Deconstructing the Narrative: On the whiteboard, chart the story using a simple 'Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then' framework. (Somebody: Clyde, Wanted: to guide the sleigh, But: he couldn't fly, So: he practiced relentlessly, Then: he succeeded).
(20 mins) My 'Big Show' Story: Hand out graphic organizers. Ask students to brainstorm their own story about achieving a goal. It could be real or imagined. They should plan a beginning (the goal), a middle (the hard work/challenge), and an end (the result). Then, have them start writing their story on lined paper.
(10 mins) Author's Chair: Ask for 2-3 volunteers to share their stories or their story ideas with the class. Conclude by celebrating the hard work shown by both Clyde and the student authors.
(20 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video. Afterward, lead a discussion prompting students to think of new questions they would like to ask the author about writing the story or about the Amazing Critter Rescue Crew's next adventure.
Alternative Lesson Plan - Ages 3 - 7
Learning Objectives
Engage with a story using multiple senses (sight, sound, touch).
Practice gross motor skills through guided movement.
Identify and name emotions expressed by characters.
Participate in a cooperative, play-based activity.
Materials
Book and/or Read Aloud Video
A table or chairs to crawl under
Upbeat, encouraging music
Procedure (40 minutes + 20 minutes optional Q&A)
(10 mins) Interactive Story Time: Watch the read-aloud video in a cozy space or read the book aloud. Pause periodically to act out emotions. 'Show me your determined face like Clyde!' or 'Let's pretend to flap our arms and try to fly!'
(15 mins) Reindeer Training Obstacle Course: Explain that you will all practice flying just like Clyde. Set up a simple course: 1. 'Wobbly Start' (walk across a line of pillows). 2. 'Forest Tunnel' (crawl under a table). 3. 'Leap of Faith' (jump over a small cushion). 4. 'Take Flight!' (run to a designated spot). Play upbeat music during the course.
(10 mins) Scarf Flying Dance: After the obstacle course, give each child a scarf. Put on some gentle, flowing music. Encourage them to move around the room, making their scarves 'fly' high and low, fast and slow. This is a calm-down activity that still reinforces the theme of flying.
(5 mins) Cool-Down Chat: Gather in a circle and talk about the activities. Ask, 'What part of the training was your favorite? It's fun to learn new things with our bodies!'
(20 mins) Optional Author Q&A Exploration: Watch the author's Q&A video. Afterward, lead a discussion prompting students to think of new questions they would like to ask the author about writing the story or about the Amazing Critter Rescue Crew's next adventure.