Article
Courtesy of Andie Haugen/Cincinnati Zoo

How to Save a Cheetah’s Life

A cheetah cub didn’t have the care she needed. A dog became her friend— and saved her life.

By Erin Kelly
From the Special Sample Issue
Social and Emotional Learning Focus
  • Relationship skills
  • Friendship
Lexile Level: How to Save a Cheetah’s Life: 500L Furry Friends: 230L
Guided Reading Level: How to Save a Cheetah’s Life: I Furry Friends: H
Science Focus: Animal needs
Vocabulary: cub, animal shelter, peaceful, shy, grumpy
Common Core Standards
  • RF.1.1 Features of print RI.1.1 Key details RI.1.3 Describe connections RI.1.4 Vocabulary RI.1.5 Text features RI.1.7 Use visuals SL.1.1 Discuss grade-1 texts L.1.4.a Use sentence-level context as a clue to a word’s meaning

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LISTEN AND THINK

As you listen to this true story, think about how Kris and Remus are good friends to each other.

The cheetah cub was in danger.

She had just been born at the zoo. The zookeepers had named her Kris.

But they were worried. Her mom wasn’t making milk to feed her, and she couldn’t care for little Kris. The zookeepers decided to raise Kris themselves.

They gave her milk and a warm place to sleep. But Kris needed more. She needed an animal friend to teach her and love her.

The zookeepers thought a dog might be a perfect friend for the tiny cub. But dogs and cheetahs are so different!

Could a dog really be a good friend to the baby cat?

PAUSE AND THINK: Why did Kris need an animal friend?

Kris lives at the Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A Dog Friend?

The zookeepers went to an animal shelter. That is a place for animals with no homes. They met a dog named Remus (REE-mus).

Remus was peaceful. He was calm. He didn’t fight.

The zookeepers chose him. They didn’t know if he would be a good friend to Kris.

They were about to find out.

PAUSE AND THINK: Why did the zookeepers think Remus might be a good friend to Kris?

Courtesy DJ Jam/The Cincinnati Zoo

The zookeepers give Kris milk from a bottle.

Kris Meets Remus

It was time for Kris and Remus to meet.

Remus was friendly. He barked to say hi. Kris didn’t like that! She jumped back and growled. She was scared.

Kris was little and shy. She tried to look big and brave. She growled again.

Uh-oh. This was not going well at all.

PAUSE AND THINK: What happened when Kris and Remus met?

Sam Greene/The Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer via Imagn Content Services

Kris growled at Remus when they first met.

Time to Trust

Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com

Cheetahs close their eyes only when they feel safe.

Kris didn’t trust Remus. She didn’t close her eyes when he was near. A cheetah closes its eyes only if it feels safe.

The zookeepers tried again. They gave the animals a toy. Remus and Kris played with it!

Soon they got tired. They lay down next to each other. Kris closed her eyes. She felt safe! At last, she trusted Remus.

PAUSE AND THINK: How do we know that Kris trusted Remus?

Learning to Be Friends

The zookeepers began to bring Kris and Remus together every day. The cub and pup had to learn how to be friends.

Kris had to get used to Remus. She still didn’t love it when he barked. But she played with him anyway.

Remus had to get used to Kris too. At first, he got grumpy when Kris got too tired to play. Then he learned he had to play by himself sometimes.

Now the zookeepers needed to do one last test of friendship—a sleepover.

What would happen?

PAUSE AND THINK: What were some ways Kris and Remus were being good friends?

Liz Dufour/The Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC

The Sleepover Test

The first night, the zookeepers watched carefully. Remus curled up in his bed. Kris lay down next to him.

Remus yawned. Kris licked his face. She snuggled up against his warm fur. So cozy!

The baby cheetah was going to be just fine. She just needed a little help from a friend.

Furry Friends

Here are some ways Remus is a good friend to Kris. 

 Sam Greene/The Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC 

He helps her play.  

Cheetah cubs are shy and scared. Remus shows Kris how to play.

 Sam Greene/The Enquirer, Cincinnati Enquirer via Imagn Content Services, LLC 

He helps her run.

Cheetahs need to run. Remus runs with a toy. Kris runs to chase him.

Courtesy of Colleen Nissen/Cincinnati Zoo

He helps her cuddle.  

Remus gives Kris love. Kris gives Remus love too!

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Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
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Essential Question

The essential question of this issue of Storyworks 1 is: What makes a good friend? The articles below connect to this theme. These texts will help children discuss and think critically about friendship.

  • Big Read-Aloud: “How to Save a Cheetah’s Life,” p. 10
  • Word Play: “Three Ways to Say Friends,” p. 16
  • Mini Graphic: “Sticky Situation: The New Sneakers,” p. 17
  • Fiction: “The Rainbow Sunflower,” p. 26
  • Poetry: “The Fabulous Five,” p. 32

Through the above genres, students will discuss:

How do friends behave with each other?

Do friends have to be the same? Can they be different?

What does it feel like when a friend is kind?

Implementation Suggestions


Read-Aloud
  • Storyworks 1 provides a variety of text levels and types. The Big Read-Aloud works well for your read-aloud time.
  • This gives children access to more-complex text that is written on a first-grade listening level. Use it to develop children’s listening comprehension, knowledge, vocabulary, and understanding of nonfiction text.

Small Group, Independent

  • Pair your readaloud with “Words and Pictures: One Big Cat, Five Facts” (p. 8). This is a lowerlevel nonfiction article with simple headings for children to read. Use it during small-group reading time. High-level readers can try this text independently.

Whole Group, Computer time

  • Video Read-Aloud. Kids can hear the article read aloud and see the imagery come to life! This online resource models fluent reading. The footage helps solidify comprehension— and kids will be fascinated!

Using Storyworks 1 Step-by-Step

Reading, Critical Thinking, and Skill Building

1. Before Reading

Show Video (10 minutes)
  • Tell your students they are going to watch a video about friends. As they watch, ask them, “Do friends have to be exactly the same? Or can friends be different?”
  • Watch the video “What Makes a Good Friend?”
  • After watching, ask the questions again. Write students’ ideas on chart paper.

Preview Vocabulary (3-15 minutes)

  • Play the online vocabulary slideshow. This issue’s featured words are cub, animal shelter, peaceful, shy, trust, and grumpy.

Preview the First Pages and Set a Purpose for Reading (5-10 minutes)

  • Now tell students they are going to read a true story. Tell them it is also about a dog and a cheetah cub! Will they become friends?
  • Open your magazines to “How to Save a Cheetah’s Life.” Children will be excited by the photos! Let them take a picture walk. They can try to predict what will happen in the story. Do they think the two animals will be friends or not? Can they find a picture that shows us?
  • You can also review some of the nonfiction text features in the story, so children can follow along. Point out the headline, map, subheadings, labels, and photo captions.

2. Read Aloud (15-30 minutes)

  • Read each article section, modeling fluent reading. Check comprehension as you read together with the Pause and Think questions.
  • The sidebar at the end of the article gives children a chance to read text too. Choral read this section or call on volunteers.

3. After Reading: Focus on Skills

Comprehension (10 minutes)

  • The Reading Checkpoint printable provides an opportunity to assess students’ understanding of key concepts from the article.

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (20 minutes)

  • Use the Word Work printable to deepen students’ comprehension of the article’s vocabulary words.

SEL Focus: Friendship (20 minutes)

  • With the My Friendship Story skills page, children share about one of their own special friendships.

Text-to-Speech