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The Great Kapok Tree and A River Ran Wild Literature Unit
This literature unit includes vocabulary words, definitions and activities, an anticipation guide, a literary element study, journal and discussion topics, a writing activity for each domain, comprehension activities, answer key, and MUCH MORE!
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The Great Kapok Tree and A River Ran Wild Literature Unit
By Lynne Cherry
The Great Kapok Tree
Two men went to the rain forest to cut down a Kapok tree. One man started chopping away at the tree, but grew tired. He lay down to take a nap and while he was sleeping, the animals of the rain forest taught him some valuable lessons about nature. Each animal whispered into the man’s ear and told him why the tree was important to them. When the man woke up and saw all of the animals, he realized how special the rain forest was and got up and walked away.
A River Ran Wild
The beautiful Nashua River ran wild through the forest and valley for many years. It provided much for the native people and animals that lived in it and near it. The native people lived off the land and killed only what they needed for food, clothing, and shelter. Settlers came and cleared land to build their homes.
The settlers built factories on the land next to the river and killed much more than they used themselves. They cut down trees and killed animals for their skin to sell. They drove the natives from their land and took it over for themselves. The factories were dumping so much waste into the river that it became extremely polluted. The water was no longer clear, the fish and plants were dead or dying, and it smelled so bad, the residents living along the river tried not to go near it.
Eventually, someone decided to do something about the situation. The people worked together to get new laws passed to prevent the factories from dumping their waste in the river. They were successful and slowly the river ran clear again for animals and people to enjoy.
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