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PRESENTED BYElementary Discussion QuestionsAuthor Cathy Ballou Mealey, Illustrator Kelly Collier SLOTH & SQUIRREL IN A PICKLEwww.ReadingMakesCents.com

Lesson Plan By:Lynne F. Stoverstoverlf@jmu.edu Sloth & Squirrel in a Pickle Author Cathy Ballou Mealey, Illustrator Kelly Collier Kids Can Press/2021 STORY SYNOPSIS: A pair of unlikely friends, decide they wouldlike a new tandem bike and begin theirpursuit to earn money to purchase one. Mr.Peacock, the manager of a pickle-packingcompany, hires them and it does not gowell. Squirrel’s plan to specialize, with himpacking the jars and Sloth attaching thelabels, backfires. When Mr. Peacockdiscovers six hundred and seventy-sevenpickle jars with upside down labels, he firesthem. Stating he cannot pay them for theirwork, he gives them the unsellable pickles. The entrepreneurial friends turn theirmistake into a unique business, make aprofit, and surpass their goal.

Reading Makes Cents 2022-2023Sloth & Squirrel in a PickleLesson Plan By:Lynne F. Stoverstoverlf@jmu.eduElementary Discussion Questions Why did Sloth and Squirrel want to earn money? [Squirrel wanted to buy a new bike.This would be a special bike made for two riders that went fast.What did the two friends discover when they went to the Spokes Bike Shop? [Theydiscovered the type of bike they wanted would cost them a lot of money, which theydid not have.] Squirrel had a great idea about how to get money for the bike. What was this idea? [Hesuggested that the two friends get jobs as pickle packers.] Before they were hired what were they required to do? [They had to be interviewed byMr. Peacock, the pickle plant manager.] Once they were hired, Mr. Peacock gave them gloves, overalls, hairnets and safetygoggles to wear. Why do you think these items were required? [Possible answers:These items will keep the pickles clean. The workers had to wear a certain uniform. Thegloves and goggles were for the safety of the workers. The hairnets keep hair fromgetting in the pickle jars.] How do we know that Sloth and Squirrel had little training for their new job? [Theymade messes and broke jars.] Squirrel told Mr. Peacock that the reason they had only packed six jars of pickles isbecause they needed practice. Do you think this is true? [Answers will vary. However,students may suggest that it is good to be trained for a task. This is an example ofinvesting in human capital.] 1.2.3.4.5.6.7.Introduction: Show the cover of the book to the students. Ask them to think of a time theywanted something so bad, but did not have the money to buy it. Inform them that this storyfollows two enterprising friends who are committed to earning enough money together topurchase something they sincerely want, even if it means they have to get creative.

Reading Makes Cents 2022-2023Sloth & Squirrel in a PickleLesson Plan By:Lynne F. Stoverstoverlf@jmu.eduSquirrel came up with a plan. He said that the two workers could specialize; do onetask really well. What did they decide to do? [Squirrel packed the pickles and addedthe lids, Sloth attached the labels.] Why couldn’t Mr. Peacock sell the six hundred seventy-seven and one-half jars thatSloth and Squirrel were able to pack? [The labels were all upside down.] Sloth and Squirrel lost their job, but they did end up with a lot of free pickles. What didthey do with these pickles? [They got creative and invented Pickle Pops.]Sloth and Squirrel took a risk, set up a pickle pop stand, and became successfulentrepreneurs. What do you think an entrepreneur is? [An entrepreneur is someonewho starts their own business.] Sloth and Squirrel made the pickle pops. They were the producers. Who were theconsumers of the pickle pops? [Other animals bought the pickle pops which they likedbecause they came in many flavors and did not melt.] The two friends made money selling Pickle Pops. This is called a profit. What did theydo with their profit? [They bought the bike they wanted. However, it did not go fastenough so they bought a motorcycle.] 8.9.10.11.12.13.