Paired Texts > Can Animals Predict Disasters?

by Marcia Amidon Lusted 2022

We've identified these texts as great options for text pairings based on similar themes, literary devices, topic, or writing style. Supplement your lesson with one or more of these options and challenge students to compare and contrast the texts. To assign a paired text, click on the text to go to its page and click the "Assign Text" button there.

Narwhals: Nature's Climatologists
Narwhals: Nature's Climatologists
Jacqueline Pratt-Tuke

In "Narwhals: Nature's Climatologists," Jacqueline Pratt-Tuke explains what narwhals are teaching scientists about climate change.

Pair “Narwhals: Nature’s Climatologists” with “Can Animals Predict Disasters?” and have students discuss how scientists learn about changes in the weather and climate from animals. What are scientists learning about climate change from narwhals in “Narwhals: Nature’s Climatologists”? What are scientists learning about natural disasters from animals in “Can Animals Predict Disasters?” How do animals offer us clues about the world around us, if we take the time to observe them?

5th Grade Informational Text 1150L
The Pull of the Penguin
The Pull of the Penguin
Christy Mihaly

In "The Pull of the Penguin," Christy Mihaly tells the story of the day Elaine Parker ventured onto the Antarctic ice and was rescued by a penguin.

Pair “The Pull of the Penguin” with “Can Animals Predict Disasters?” and have students think about the relationship between people and animals in both texts. How does the penguin help Elaine Parker stay safe in “The Pull of the Penguin”? How can animals help people stay safe in “Can Animals Predict Disasters?” In your opinion, are the animals in either text trying to help people on purpose, or is there another possible explanation for the animals’ behavior?

4th Grade Non-Fiction - General 760L
Tornado Coming!
Tornado Coming!
Dick Donley

In Dick Donley's short story "Tornado Coming!" a boy decides to help an elderly neighbor when there's a tornado warning.

Pair “Tornado Coming!” with “Can Animals Predict Disasters?” and have students think about the actions of pets in both texts. How does Buster behave as Matt seeks shelter in “Tornado Coming!”? How do pets, like dogs and cats, behave when disasters are approaching in “Can Animals Predict Disasters?” Do you think Buster knew a tornado was coming, or were his actions because of something else? Why?

5th Grade Short Story 520L
Coconuts
Coconuts
Dagmar Kost

In "Cocounts," a young boy must help his family prepare for a hurricane.

Pair “Coconuts” with “Can Animals Predict Disasters?” and have students think about early warning signs for natural disasters. What are the early warning signs that a hurricane is coming in “Coconuts”? How is Jason’s family alerted about the upcoming hurricane? How are these early warning signs similar to and different from those described in “Can Animals Predict Disasters?” Marcia Amidon Lusted shares that “in many parts of the world, there aren’t very good early warning systems to let people know when a disaster is about to strike.” How could animal warning signs, like those described in the article, have helped Jason and his family, if they lived somewhere without a good early warning system?

4th Grade Fiction - General 630L