Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh -Tanya Beers

Tanya Beers

IST571: Children's Literature Lit Kit

Book: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brien

Lesson Plan and Selling Tool:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1z5DSrTTx4Pag1Ij-27iJVF8mIdybgVvW_O5QprGTB9U/edit

Tanya Beers

IST571: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien - Lit Kit

Title: Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh

Author:  Robert C. O’Brien

Lexile Level: 790L

Grade Level:  4th through 6th grade

Age Range:  9 to 12 years old

ISBN #: 9780689710681

Mrs. Frisby is a mother rat who has four children, the youngest of whom is sick with pneumonia. 
She has a problem that she is struggling to find a solution to: she needs to move her family or risk 
them all being killed. However, with her son being sick he cannot be moved and she is terrified. 
Then she meets the rats of Nimh; a group of very intelligent rats who offer to help her and they 
come up with a genius plan to save Mrs. Frisby and her children. This book is a Newbery Medal 
winner and has been a delight to children for decades!

Lesson for 4th graders:

Students will read Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien.

Students will write a character study about one of the main characters of the book of their 
choosing and also include if they see themselves in their chosen character and why/why not.

Characters to choose from:

Mrs. Frisby, Timothy Frisby, Mr. Fitzgibbon (Farmer), Mrs. Fitzgibbon (Farmer’s wife who feeds 
the cat), Paul Fitzgibbon (son), Billy Fitzgibbon (son), or Mr. Ages (a white mouse who lives across 
from the Fitzgibbon farm and has medicine).

After the submission of the written assignment, there will be a class discussion of the book where 
we will discuss the reaction of the students to Mrs. Frisby’s plight and the many characters that 
come to her aid. Students will also discuss how the reading made them feel.Students will have 
various snacks to eat (that are shaped like mice) with punch to drink during 

the discussion.

Learning Standards:

AASL Standards for the 21st – Century Learner.

1. Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge.

1.1 Skills

1.1.1 Follow an inquiry-based process in seeking knowledge in curricular subjects, and make 
the real-world connection for using this process in own life.

1.1.2 Use prior and background knowledge as context for new learning.

1.1.3 Develop and refine a range of questions to frame the search for new understanding.

2. Draw conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new situations, and 
create new knowledge.

2.1 Skills

2.1.1 Continue an inquiry-based research process by applying critical-thinking skills (analysis, 
synthesis, evaluation, organization) to information and knowledge in order to construct new 
understandings, draw conclusions, and create new knowledge.

2.1.3 Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular 
areas, real-world situations, and further investigations.

Learning Goal:

Students write a character study which will assist them with evaluating themselves through 
evaluating the characters. Students will also integrate their knowledge with their classmates 
through a class discussion which will assist students in learning from each other.

Learning Objectives:

1. Students will engage in a class discussion where they will talk about their opinions and 
feelings about the reading with their classmates in order to learn from each other. (Cognitive 
and Affective)

2. Students will describe, through writing a character study of a main character of their 
choosing, whether they see themselves in these characters and why/why not in an attempt 
to evaluate themselves while evaluating a character. (Psychomotor and Cognitive)

Learning Outcome:

Students will identify with their characters’ traits or identify themselves aside from their 
characters through their written character study. Students will also share their thoughts and 
feeling in a respectful manner and safe atmosphere during a class discussion about the reading.

Works Cited:

American Association of School Librarians (AASL). (2007). Standards for the 21st- Century 
Learner. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/aasl/sites/ala.org.aasl/files/content/
guidelinesandstandards/learningstandards/AASL_LearningStandards.pdf.

O’Brien, Robert C. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh. Aladdin, 1971.

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