Lesson made on May 1, 2025
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Reading Lesson:
A group of life-size animal puppets is going on a long trip from the middle of Africa all the way to the Arctic Circle. This project is called The Herds.
The animal puppets include zebras, giraffes, monkeys, baboons, and wildebeest. They are made from recycled materials by artists in South Africa. As the puppets travel, people in each city learn how to make their own animals using examples sent by the team.
The Herds started in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with four days of events in a large garden. Then it went to Lagos, Nigeria, where thousands of people came to watch the shows. In Dakar, Senegal, the puppets ran through busy streets and even joined an event in a fishing village. Local artists and over 60 puppeteers bring the animals to life during the performances.
The idea behind The Herds is to help people feel the importance of taking care of the planet. The project wants to show how climate change is affecting people and animals–not just by using facts, but by telling stories and showing emotions. The journey also connects to the struggles of people who are forced to leave their homes because of climate problems.
The puppets will continue to travel through Africa, then move into Europe, visiting cities like London and Paris. Their final stop will be in the Arctic Circle in August. Along the way, about 2,000 people will be trained to help make the puppets and lead events, helping the message grow city by city.
Comprehension Quiz:
Speaking and Writing Activities:
– Discuss these questions with a partner or a small group.
– Choose one topic and write a response to it. Show your writing to a classmate or teacher.
1. What’s something creative or artistic that you’ve made before? How did it feel to create it?
2. What are some ways your community is affected by climate change, or could be in the future?
3. If you could visit Africa, where would you go and what would you like to see or do there?
More Reading Practice:
Climate change and African animals
Climate change is making the weather in Africa hotter and drier. This is a big problem for many animals. Some animals need a lot of water to live. Others can only survive in certain temperatures. When the climate changes, it becomes harder for them to find food, water, and a safe place to live.
For example, elephants need to drink water every day. But in some parts of Africa, rivers and lakes are drying up. This means elephants have to walk farther to find water. Sometimes, they can’t find enough, and some may die.
Lions are also in danger. They need large areas to hunt animals like zebras and antelopes. But as the land becomes too dry, the animals they hunt move away or die. This makes it harder for lions to find food.
Other animals, like some types of frogs and birds, are very sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall. If it gets too hot or too dry, they cannot live in the same places anymore.
Climate change also affects the homes of many animals. Forests and grasslands are turning into deserts. This forces animals to move or compete with others for food and space. Sometimes, they do not survive the changes.
Puppets around the world
Puppets are used in many different cultures around the world to tell stories, teach lessons, and entertain people. In Indonesia, people use shadow puppets made from leather. These puppets are moved behind a white screen with a light behind them, so the audience sees their shadows. The stories often come from old books and legends, and they are used to teach about good and bad behavior.
In Japan, there is a traditional puppet theater called Bunraku. The puppets are very detailed, and each puppet needs three people to control it. The shows tell dramatic stories about love, family, and honor. Even though the puppeteers are seen on stage, people focus on the puppets because the movements are so lifelike.
In some African countries, puppets are part of festivals and ceremonies. The puppets are often large and colorful. They are used to tell stories about the history of the community or to share important messages, like how to stay healthy or work together.
In Europe, puppets have been used for hundreds of years in street performances and theaters. These puppet shows are funny and are often performed at fairs or parks.
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