Pre-reading questions:
- What do you know about animals reacting during natural disasters?
- What animals have you heard of protecting others in times of danger?
Vocabulary:
- earthquake /URTH-kweyk/
- remarkable /ri-MAHR-kuh-buhl/
- intelligence /in-TEL-i-juhns/
- regroup /ree-GROOP/
- instinct /IN-stingkt/
[noun] – a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, often causing destruction
The earthquake caused buildings to shake and cracks appeared in the ground.
[adjective] – unusual or surprising in a way that is worth attention
She made a remarkable discovery that changed the way we think about space.
[noun] – the ability to learn, understand, and think logically
His intelligence helped him solve the complex puzzle in just a few minutes.
[verb] – to come together again after a period of separation, especially after a difficult situation
After the storm passed, the rescue team regrouped to plan their next move.
[noun] – a natural behavior or tendency that does not require learning
The bird used its instinct to fly south when the weather started getting colder.
Article reading:
This protective behavior demonstrates the elephants’ remarkable intelligence and social bonds. Elephants are known for their ability to detect vibrations through their feet, allowing them to sense danger early. When the earthquake occurred, the elephants instinctively formed an “”alert circle,”” with the adults standing on the outside to protect the calves in the center. After an aftershock, the herd briefly regrouped before dispersing once they determined the danger had passed. This event highlights the deep social connections and protective instincts of elephants, which continue to fascinate scientists and animal lovers alike.
Comprehension questions
- What happened in southern California on a Monday morning?
- Which areas were affected by the earthquake?
- What kind of disruptions did the earthquake cause?
- Which animals responded during the earthquake?
- How did the elephants protect the young calves during the earthquake?
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced a disaster or emergency situation? If so, how did you feel during the event? If not, how would you imagine you might feel if you were in one?
- Have you ever seen animals act protectively towards others? If so, how did it make you feel? If not, what do you think it would be like to see animals protect each other?
- Do you agree that animals, like elephants, can sense danger before humans?
- Why do you think elephants have such strong protective instincts?
- In what ways can humans learn from animal behavior during emergencies?