a photo of a dog and a cheetah
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 September 2020 Issue
Lexiles: 510L
Guided Reading Level: J
DRA Level: 16-18
Featured Skill: Main Idea,
Vocabulary: cub, animal shelter, peaceful, shy, grumpy
Common Core Standards
  • RI.2.1 Key details, RI.2.4 Vocabulary, RI.2.5 Nonfiction text features, RI.2.7 Use visuals, RI.2.9 Compare two texts on a similar topic, RI.2.10 Read grade 2-appropriate informational text, SL.2 Participate in conversations about grade 2 texts, L.2.4.a Use sentence-level context as a clue to a word’s meaning
TEKS Standards
  • Science
    (9) Organisms and environments. The student knows that living organisms have basic needs that must be met for them to survive within their environment. The student is expected to: (A) identify the basic needs of plants and animals; (10) Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms resemble their parents and have structures and processes that help them survive within their environments. The student is expected to: (A) observe, record, and compare how the physical characteristics and behaviors of animals help them meet their basic needs.

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Think and Read

As you read, 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?

A cheetah cub was born at the zoo. Her name was Kris. She was in danger.

Her mother couldn’t feed her. The zookeepers decided to take care of Kris. They gave her milk and a warm place to sleep. But Kris needed more.

She needed an animal friend. The zookeepers thought a dog might be a good friend.

Kris, a cheetah cub born at the Cincinnati Zoo, was in danger. The zookeepers were worried because Kris’s mom wasn’t making milk to feed her. Since she couldn’t care for her cub, 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. They worried though, because 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?

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

Kris lives at the Cincinnati Zoo in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A Dog Friend?

A Dog Friend?

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. 

The zookeepers found a dog at the animal shelter. That is a place for animals with no homes.

His name was Remus. He was calm. He didn’t fight.

The zookeepers hoped he would be a good friend for Kris.

In search of a friend for Kris, the zookeepers visited a local animal shelter, a place for homeless animals. They met a dog named Remus.

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

The zookeepers chose him but 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?

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 

Kris Meets Remus 

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. 

It was time for Kris and Remus to meet.

Remus was friendly. He barked to say hi.

Kris got scared. She was shy. She growled. Maybe they wouldn’t be friends.

It was time to introduce Kris and Remus.

Remus barked in a friendly way to say hi, but Kris didn’t like that! She jumped back and growled. She was terrified.

Although Kris was little and shy, she tried to make herself 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 first met?

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

SAM GREENE/THE ENQUIRER, CINCINNATI ENQUIRER VIA IMAGN
CONTENT SERVICES, LLC

Kris growled at Remus when they first met.

Time to Trust


Time to Trust


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. 


Kris didn’t trust Remus. The zookeepers could tell because a cheetah closes its eyes only if it feels safe and she didn’t close her eyes when Remus was near.

They decided to try again to see if Remus and Kris could be friends so they gave the animals a toy. Remus and Kris played with it together.

Soon they got tired and they lay down next to each other. Kris closed her eyes. At last, she trusted Remus.


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

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

Learning to Be Friends

Learning to Be Friends

Learning to Be Friends


COURTESY DJ JAM/THE CINCINNATI ZOO; ERIC ISSELEE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Cheetahs close their eyes only when they feel safe.

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? 

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!

The zookeepers began to let Kris and Remus play every day. The cub and pup had to learn how to be friends. They had to get used to each other. Could they have a sleepover?

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

Kris was still getting used to Remus. She still didn’t love it when he barked, but she played with him anyway.

Remus also had to get used to Kris. At first, he got grumpy when Kris got too tired to play, but 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?

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 Sleepover

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. 

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

Remus yawned. Kris licked his face. She snuggled up with him. So cozy!

They were friends!

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

Remus yawned, Kris licked his face and she snuggled up against his warm fur. So cozy!

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


Furry Friends

Furry Friends

Furry Friends


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

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

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


He helps her play.

He helps her play.

He helps her play.


LIZ DUFOUR/THE ENQUIRER, CINCINNATI ENQUIRER VIA IMAGN CONTENT SERVICES, LLC; SAM GREENE/THE ENQUIRER, CINCINNATI ENQUIRER VIA IMAGN CONTENT SERVICES, LLC

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

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

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


He helps her run.

He helps her run.

He helps her run.


LIZ DUFOUR/THE ENQUIRER, CINCINNATI ENQUIRER VIA IMAGN CONTENT SERVICES, LLC; SAM GREENE/THE ENQUIRER, CINCINNATI ENQUIRER VIA IMAGN CONTENT SERVICES, LLC

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

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

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


He helps her cuddle.

He helps her cuddle.

He helps her cuddle.


COURTESY OF COLLEEN NISSEN/CINCINNATI ZOO (CUDDLE)

Remus gives Kris love. Kris gives Remus love too!

Remus gives Kris love. Kris gives Remus love too!

Remus gives Kris love. Kris gives Remus love too!


THINK AND WRITE

Check out this skill-building sheet about this article.

THINK AND WRITE

Check out this skill-building sheet about this article.

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video (2)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (6)
Skills Activities
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video (2)
Slideshows (1)
Activities (6) Download All Quizzes and Activities
Skills Activities

More About the Article

Social-emotional Learning Focus

Friendship

Science Focus

Animal needs

Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

1. BEFORE READING

Show Video (10 minutes)

  • Tell your students they are going to watch a video about friends. As they watch, ask them to think about: “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 connects to the video they watched about friends.
  • Open your magazines to “How to Save a Cheetah’s Life.” Preview the text features on the opening pages.
  • Where do you think this story takes place? Can you find a picture that shows us? (Cincinnati, Ohio; it’s on the map.)
  • Next, read the Think and Read prompt on page 6: “As you read, think about how Kris and Remus are good friends to each other.” Encourage children to think about this prompt as they read.

2. READ THE ISSUE

Read Together (15-30 minutes)

  • You can read this article together as a class or in small groups.
  • Check comprehension as you read the issue together with the Pause and Think questions.
  • Build reading stamina: Play our wonderful Video Read-Aloud feature. Kids can hear the story read aloud and see the imagery come to life. This is especially helpful to give lower-level readers the same access to the story as their classmates.

3. AFTER READING: FOCUS ON ELA SKILLS

ELA Focus: Vocabulary (20 minutes)

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

Assessment: Quiz (10 minutes)

  • Pass out the quiz to assess comprehension of the article. We also offer a lower-level quiz.

Enrich the Learning: Paired Text Opportunities (time amount varies)

Making text-to-text connections builds knowledge and comprehension. We layer Storyworks 2 with many ways for your students to make connections and enrich the lesson.

Paired Text 1 Words & Pictures: One Cat, Five Facts

  • Before kids read “How to Save a Cheetah’s Life,” read this Words & Pictures feature. It will give them basic background knowledge that will help them understand the article better.
  • Use our Two Different Texts printable to give kids practice comparing two nonfiction articles.

Paired Text 2 Poetry Kit: Shy 

Paired Text 3 and 4 Mini Graphic Novel: Our BFF is a Monster and Fiction: The Popsicle Stick Bridge

  • These stories ask a similar question to that of “How to Save a Cheetah’s Life.” Who are the friends in these stories? How do they act?
  • Kids can compare Remus the dog and Kris the cheetah with the actions of the kids in “Our BFF Is a Monster” and Jen and Billy in “The Popsicle Stick Bridge” using our “Do a Friend Chart” online printable. How are the friends alike and different?
  • Doing these comparisons deepens kids’ understanding of what it means to be a friend.

Text-to-Speech