HomeMy WebLinkAboutRead Aloud Book Gr. 3-Lesson 22Animals are born knowing how to do certain things. Birds know how to migrate
south for the winter. Salmon know how to fi nd their way back to the place they were
hatched. No one teaches them to do this. They make these long journeys by instinct.
An instinct is a tendency to behave in a certain way that is not learned.
Humans also have instincts. For example, we are disgusted by the smell of rotting
meat. This is a good instinct because it keeps us from getting sick. Humans are also
inclined to be afraid of the dark. If people are somewhere where it is too dark to
see, they want to stop in place. This instinct probably helped people when they lived
in the wild. It kept them from tripping over unseen things such as rocks or fallen
trees. It also protected them from animals that hunt at night. Instincts such as these
are part of our temperament—how we feel and how we behave.
Traditions also play a part in how people behave. Traditions are different than
instincts. They are ways of behaving that people have taught each other. Parents teach
traditions to their children. These children can teach them to their own kids later on.
Have you ever wondered why it is customary for people to shake hands using
their right hands? This is not an instinct. It is an example of a tradition that has
been passed down for many generations.
So why do people shake hands? No one is quite sure. One explanation has to do
with swords. Many years ago, people carried swords. Most people would use their
swords with their right hands. Shaking with the right hand may have been a way of
showing friendliness because you could not use your sword and shake hands at the
same time.
Other kinds of traditions are rituals that people take part in on a regular basis.
Holidays are a kind of ritual. In the United States, many people gather together
and watch fi reworks and parades on the Fourth of July. This tradition celebrates the
day the United States declared its independence, or freedom, from Great Britain.
Another kind of tradition is storytelling. Stories such as Paul Bunyan are part of
American lore. Celebrating holidays and storytelling are cultural traditions that are
passed down from one generation to another.
What are some of your family’s traditions?
COMPREHENSION Which words help you understand the habits of people
and animals? What is the difference between an instinct and a tradition?
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Kevin’s family was getting ready to leave the campsite where they had been camping
for the past two days. Earlier, Kevin had tethered his dog, Duke, to a nearby tree. But
now the rope that Kevin had used was lying on the ground. Duke was nowhere to be
seen. Kevin asked his mom, “Did you untie Duke?”
“No, I didn’t,” she replied as she picked up a pile of tent poles that had tumbled
out of the family’s truck. Kevin’s mother held the poles upright and tightly tied a string
around them to make a bundle. Then she added the poles to the array of sleeping bags,
shoes, and camping supplies in the truck.
“I think I have everything stabilized now, so nothing will fall out,” she said to Kevin’s
father. “Let’s go, Kevin. Bring Duke!”
But Kevin could not fi nd Duke. “Mom, Duke’s gone!” he cried. “I wonder if he
followed an interesting smell down the trail. Can I please go look for him?”
“We’ll all look for him,” his mother replied. “But fi rst, I want you to dress warmly. It’s
getting cold. Get your jacket out of the truck.”
The family searched for two hours, but they could not fi nd Duke. When they returned
to the campsite, Kevin had tears streaming down his face. He was heartbroken.
“I’m so sorry we couldn’t fi nd Duke,” said his mother. “But we have to go. We’ll leave
our information at the visitors center so they can call us when someone fi nds him.”
Before they left, Kevin took one of his T-shirts out of the truck and placed it on the
ground where their tent had been. It was windy, so he secured the shirt by placing a
heavy rock on top of it. Maybe Duke would recognize Kevin’s smell in the air. Maybe
fi nding the shirt would help Duke know that Kevin and his family had gone home.
The days after the camping trip were gloomy. Kevin missed Duke so much.
But six days later, something amazing happened. Kevin heard barking outside his
house. He rushed outside. There was Duke, wagging his tail! He stood up on his hind
legs, his body almost vertical. Duke’s fur was dirty and covered with twigs.
“Mom! Dad! It’s Duke!” shouted Kevin. The whole family assembled in the yard to
welcome Duke. Everyone was clustered around the dog in one giant hug. Duke had
traveled thirty miles to come home.
“It’s amazing how animals can fi nd their way, even when it’s a long journey,” Kevin’s
dad said.
COMPREHENSION What do you think helps Duke make his long journey? What
words help you picture how people and animals stand or gather together?
Duke’s Journey
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