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
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard comparing and contrasting two characters from Tops and Bottoms.