HomeMy WebLinkAboutRead Aloud Book Gr. 3-Lesson 20I could tell the weather was getting worse. I was playing outside on my swing
set, watching the clouds rush by. They seemed very low that day, and the sky
looked dark and scary. The weatherman said that there was a high likelihood of
bad storms, but I wasn’t too worried. Typically, I would play outside until I heard
thunder or my parents called me in, but today would be different.
First, I heard the warning siren. I was accustomed to hearing it because our
town tests it every week. It sounded like a police car siren. It made me feel a
little nervous. Then my mom came running out of the house.
“Jared, come in quick! A tornado is coming!” she yelled.
I rushed inside as fast as I could. Undoubtedly, I looked scared. My mom
wanted to calm me down. She hugged me and told me that she needed my help.
“Run upstairs and get your sister. I’ll call Dad and get a radio. We’ll meet in
the little bathroom in the cellar,” she said. “We’ll be safest there if the tornado
hits our house.”
I took off like a shot and ran to my sister’s room. She was sleeping in her crib. I
took her into my arms and walked carefully down to the cellar. Presumably, Mom
would be in the bathroom waiting for us. I started to feel calmer.
When I walked into the bathroom, though, she wasn’t there. I felt afraid
again. I thought about all the things that might have happened to her. Maybe
she tripped and fell. I wanted to go and look for her, but assumed I should
stay in the bathroom where it was safer. I felt like the tornado was inevitably
going to hit our house. My anticipation of the tornado was scary enough, but
worrying about my mom felt awful.
Then she came through the door. I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy to
see her.
“Sorry it took so long, dear. I had to look for the radio,” she said.
We turned on the radio to get news about the impending tornado. The
weatherman said the tornado missed our town and the storm was already over.
What a relief!
COMPREHENSION Why does Jared’s mother think that asking for his
help will calm him down? Which words tell what Jared thinks might
happen in the storm?
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Death Valley National Park is in a remote part of the desert southwest.
Located in parts of California and Nevada, it is the lowest place in North
America. It is also the driest and hottest place in the United States. The
temperature once reached 134 degrees in the summertime. At fi rst glance,
Death Valley seems to be a void. But even though it looks to be a place with no
life, this harsh climate is home to many animals and even a few people.
The kit fox is one animal that has adapted to the empty, barren conditions of
Death Valley. It lives in dens that are dug into the ground near outlying patches
of fresh water. The kit fox doesn’t go outside during the hot day. Instead it
sleeps all day and comes out at night, when it is cooler. Then the kit fox hunts
desert rats and jackrabbits to eat.
The desert tortoise can be found throughout the valley. It is well adapted to
the heat and lack of water. The desert tortoise survives in summer temperatures
of 120 degrees by digging its home underground. Like the kit fox, it stays
underground during the day. It gets most of its water from eating desert plants,
but it will drink any water it can fi nd. The tortoise can store this water for later.
It can go up to a year without drinking!
Amazingly, people have lived in Death Valley for thousands of years. Members
of the Timbisha Shoshone Native American tribe still live in Death Valley today. In
other parts of Death Valley, the European settlers came to mine gold and other
metals. When the mining was fi nished, people deserted the towns. The dispersion
of the miners left behind places known as ghost towns. Though many are located
in places that are almost inaccessible by car, you can hike to some of them. You
can still see the old buildings and streets, just as they were.
The closest city to Death Valley is Las Vegas, Nevada. Only a few small rural
towns are near the valley. People have to drive a long way to get to Death Valley.
And visitors to the park must be very careful about the heat and lack of water.
Even though Death Valley is not a busy, bustling city, it is still one of the most
beautiful places in the United States. Maybe one day you can see it for yourself!
COMPREHENSION In what ways do animals adapt to the conditions
of Death Valley? Which words helped you understand the loneliness of
Death Valley?
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