Free Reading Comprehension & Legacy Writing Lesson (Grades 9-10) The Elephant Whisperer ELA Mini-Unit |
Engage Students with a Meaningful Lesson on Legacy and Empathy for Animals: Teacher-Designed & Student-Approved!
The Elephant Whisperer Mini-Unit is an engaging, ready-to-use ELA resource designed to inspire meaningful discussions around wildlife conservation, empathy, and legacy. This mini-unit uses the remarkable true story of Lawrence Anthony’s bond with wild elephants to challenge students to think critically about human-animal relationships and the importance of respecting all living beings.
I designed this lesson after hearing Lawrence Anthony's story and knew my students would also be inspired by his legacy.
Included in This 24 Page Resource:
📘 Non-Fiction Text: “The Elephant Whisperer: The Remarkable True Story of Lawrence Anthony” (641 words, Lexile 1050-1150) — A captivating story ideal for Grades 9-10, exploring themes of empathy, conservation, and legacy.
📝 12 PSAT/SAT-style Reading Comprehension Questions — Promote critical thinking and higher-order comprehension skills, such as:
- Identifying main ideas and key details
- Interpreting language and tone
- Making inferences based on evidence
- Analyzing the author's purpose and perspective
📄 Three Paragraph Writing Prompts + Structure Guides — Encourage students to reflect on the text and their own beliefs about animal rights, legacy, and conservation.
📋 Sample Paragraph and Rubric — Help students craft well-structured responses by providing a clear rubric and sample writing.
🕒 90-Minute Lesson Plan — A comprehensive lesson plan that guides teachers through reading the text, answering comprehension questions, and writing a thoughtful paragraph response.
🎥 Bonus YouTube Link — Watch “The Unforgettable Tale of the Elephant Whisperer: Lawrence Anthony’s Legacy” to extend the lesson with a powerful visual component.
Why Teachers Love This Mini Unit
✅ Teaches Empathy and Legacy: Through Lawrence Anthony’s story, students learn how compassion and respect can create lasting legacies.
✅ Real-World Themes: Discuss the ethical treatment of animals, the importance of conservation, and the impact of human actions on the environment.
✅ Aligned to ELA CCSS for Grades 9-10: Reading comprehension, evidence-based writing, and critical thinking are at the core of this unit.
This unit is a must-have resource for teaching empathy and fostering meaningful discussions in the secondary ELA classroom.