Standards Correlations

R.1, R.3, R.4, R.7, R.9, W.1, SL.1, SL.2, L.4, L.6

Learning Objective

Students will compare the lives of captive tigers with those of tigers in the wild.

Key Skills

compare and contrast, text features, vocabulary, synthesizing, cause and effect, text evidence, critical thinking, argument writing

Complexity Factors

Purpose: The first article tells about the declining tiger population in the wild, focusing on the harm humans have done. The second discusses the trend of raising tigers in captivity in the U.S. and highlights the problems with this practice. 

Structure: Both articles are informational and include cause-and-effect passages. 

Language: The articles use a conversational but serious tone.

Knowledge Demands: Some knowledge of endangered animals and conservation efforts may be helpful. 

Levels

Lexile Level: 600L-700L

Guided Reading Level: R

DRA Level: 40

Lesson Plan: Tigers in the Wild/Tigers Next Door

Essential Questions

  • How does human activity affect animal populations?
  • What duty do humans have in protecting animals?

Literature Connection

Fiction: The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo

1. Preparing to Read 

As a class, watch the video “Beyond the Story: All About Tigers.” Briefly discuss the information in the video. 

Preview Text Features (15 minutes)

Have students open their magazines to page 26. Preview the text features by asking the following questions:

  • Read the title and subtitle on pages 26-27. Where do tigers belong? How do you think humans are causing problems for tigers? Tigers belong in the forests of Asia. Sample answers to the second question: Humans might be hunting tigers, taking away their land, or moving them to a new place.
  • Read the title and subtitle of the article on pages 28-29. What do you think “Tigers Next Door” means? “Tigers Next Door” refers to tigers that live among humans, rather than out in the wild. 
  • Look at the images on page 28. What might be bad about raising tigers at home or putting them in cages? Sample answers: Tigers wouldn’t have enough space in a house or in a cage. They’re big and probably need large spaces to roam. Also, they’re probably dangerous to keep as pets. They could hurt humans.

Preview Vocabulary (10 minutes)

  • Direct students to the vocabulary box on page 26 and go over the words (stalked, prey, habitat, reserves, captive) and definitions together.
  • Play the Vocabulary Slideshow.

Make a Plan for Reading (5 minutes)

Before students start to read, walk them through a reading plan: 

  • Set a purpose for reading by telling students they’ll learn about why there are fewer tigers in the wild in Asia than there are in cages in the U.S
  • Tell students that after they read, they’ll complete the Compare and Contrast Skill Builder (available at Action Digital) with information from the two articles.

2. Reading and Unpacking the Text

Guide students to read the article. Once they understand it well, discuss the following close-reading and critical-thinking questions.

Close-Reading Questions (20 minutes)

  • At the start of the first article, the author states that humans have destroyed tigers using “bulldozers and guns.” Based on the rest of the article, how and why did humans use these weapons against tigers? (synthesizing) Humans have used guns to hunt tigers. Some tigers were killed for sport and others to protect villages. Poachers, people who hunt tigers illegally, kill tigers to sell their parts. Humans have used bulldozers to clear forests, where tigers live, to make way for mines and farms.
  • Based on “Tigers in the Wild,” has the number of tigers in the wild risen or fallen in the past 10 years? What has caused this change? (cause and effect) The number of tigers in the wild has risen by 30 percent in the past 10 years. This is because India and other countries are working to protect them. These countries have created reserves, where humans aren’t allowed and tigers can roam free. Also, the countries are doing more to catch poachers.
  • How are the lives of tigers in big, well-run zoos different from those of tigers in roadside zoos? How is the life of a tiger in any zoo different from the life of a tiger in a reserve? (compare and contrast) Tigers in big, well-run zoos are fed well and given good care. Humans aren’t allowed to get too close to them. By contrast, tigers in roadside zoos are put to work at a young age, being passed around and petted by humans. They often don’t get enough food to eat. Tigers in reserves have plenty of space to roam, and they rarely see humans. 
  • The author states, “You’re now more likely to see a tiger close to home than you are in Asia.” How many tigers live in the U.S.? How many are left in the wild in Asia? (text evidence) There are at least 5,000 tigers living in captivity in the U.S. Fewer than 4,000 are left in the wild in Asia.

Critical-Thinking Questions (10 minutes)

  • Based on the articles, how have the actions of humans harmed and helped tigers? (synthesizing) Humans have harmed tigers by hunting them, destroying the areas where they live, and treating them poorly in roadside zoos. Humans have helped tigers by treating them well in big zoos, creating reserves, and working to stop poachers.
  • Why do you think humans care about keeping tigers alive and well in their natural habitat? (critical thinking) Answers will vary. Some students might say that humans have caused the destruction of the tiger population and now feel responsible for fixing the damage we’ve done. Others might say that it’s important to protect all creatures, from huge mammals to tiny insects, because they all serve a purpose in nature. Still others may simply say that tigers are beautiful creatures that deserve respect.

3. Skill Building

  • Have students work in pairs to complete the Compare and Contrast Skill Builder. 
  • Writing Prompt: Imagine that your friend Jay has won the lottery and is thinking of doing something crazy with the money: buying a pet tiger! Do you think he should do it? Write a letter to Jay, using information from the two articles to explain whether you think having a pet tiger is a good idea and why.

Learn-Anywhere Activity

An enrichment activity to extend the learning journey at home or in the classroom

Write to a Zoo

You learned from the texts that tigers are treated well in some zoos and not well in others. How can you help make sure all zoo animals are treated well? Show the zoo that you care! Write a letter to a local zoo, asking about how the zoo is run. Some questions you might ask are:

  • What large animals are at your zoo? How do you make sure they’re happy and healthy?
  • What kinds of educational programs does your zoo offer? 
  • How do you decide how much living space each type of animal gets at your zoo?
  • How do you decide how much food each type of animal gets at your zoo?
  • Where do the animals at your zoo come from?

ELL Springboard

Use a KWL CHART to guide learning.

Before reading the text, prime ELLs to learn about tigers with a KWL chart. Create a chart with three columns. Label them K for “Know,” W for “Want to Know,” and L for “Learned.”

  • First, ask ELLs to tell you what they know about tigers. Encourage them to use the photos in the two articles to help them. Examples: “They’re big.”; “They have sharp teeth.”
  • Then, ask students to tell you what questions they have about tigers. Jot the questions down in the middle column. Examples: “What do tigers eat?”; “Where in the wild do tigers live?”
  • Finally, read the article, pausing when you come across a statement that answers one of the questions. Write the answers in the “Learned” column. If questions remain, encourage students to look up the answers online.

Looking for more ELL support? Download our full lesson plan and scroll to p. 4 to find questions that will help your ELLs respond to the text at the level that’s right for them.

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