In Minnesota, there was a deer stuck on a frozen lake. People got worried and called the fire department for help. The firefighters and rescue team came to the deer’s rescue. They crawled on all fours across the icy lake to reach the deer. Someone recorded this brave act and shared it online.

The video shows the firefighters being really careful as they walk on the slippery ice. They move slowly and carefully because they know the ice can break. Finally, they reach the deer and gently guide it back to safety.

This shows how kind and dedicated our local heroes are. Even though it was risky, the firefighters really wanted to save the deer and make sure it was okay. They were really selfless and went above and beyond their duty.

The video has touched people all over the world. It reminds us how important it is to be kind and caring towards all animals. It shows that even a small act of kindness can make a big difference. This is a great example of how regular people can do something good and inspire others to do the same.

Original news source: Firefighters crawl to rescue deer stuck on frozen lake (BBC)

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Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– Charades
Instructions: Divide the class into two teams. Choose keywords or phrases from the article and write them on separate pieces of paper. One student from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a paper. They must act out the word or phrase without speaking, and their team must guess what it is within a certain time limit.

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs, students will take turns summarizing the main points of the article to their partner. They should try to include as much information as possible in a concise manner. After each summary, the partner can give feedback and ask follow-up questions.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write a list of statements related to the article on the board, such as “The firefighters were brave,” or “It is important to be kind to animals.” Have students stand up and move to different parts of the room based on their opinion of each statement. For example, one side could represent “strongly agree,” the other side “strongly disagree,” and the middle could represent “neutral.” After each statement, allow students to explain their opinions and have a short class discussion.

– Word Association
Instructions: Write the keywords from the article on separate pieces of paper and place them face down on a table. Divide the class into small groups and have each group choose a paper. The group must then take turns saying a word that is related to the chosen keyword. They should try to keep the chain of associations going for as long as possible. If a group cannot think of a related word within a certain time limit, they are out and the game continues with the other groups.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Give each student a copy of the article. Set a timer for two minutes and instruct students to read the article silently. After the two minutes are up, students must summarize the article in their own words within a certain time limit (e.g. one minute). They can take turns sharing their summaries with a partner, and then switch partners to share again. This activity helps improve reading comprehension and summarizing skills.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What happened in Minnesota that made people worried?
2. Who did they call for help?
3. How did the firefighters and rescue team reach the deer?
4. Why were the firefighters careful as they walked on the ice?
5. How did they guide the deer back to safety?
6. What does this act of bravery show about the firefighters?
7. How has the video impacted people around the world?
8. What does this video remind us about being kind to animals?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

In Minnesota, there was a deer stuck on a (1)______ lake. People got worried and called the fire (2)______ for help. The firefighters and (3)______ team came to the deer’s rescue. They crawled on all fours across the icy lake to (4)______ the deer. Someone recorded this brave act and (5)______ it online.

The video shows the firefighters being really (6)______ as they walk on the (7)______ ice. They move slowly and carefully because they know the ice can break. Finally, they reach the deer and gently (8)______ it back to safety.

This shows how kind and dedicated our local (9)______ are. Even though it was risky, the firefighters really (10)______ to save the deer and make sure it was okay. They were really selfless and went above and beyond their duty.

The (11)______ has (12)______ people all over the world. It reminds us how important it is to be kind and caring towards all animals. It shows that even a (13)______ act of kindness can make a big (14)______. This is a great (15)______ of how regular (16)______ can do something good and inspire others to do the same.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a frozen lake?
2. How do you think the deer felt being stuck on the frozen lake?
3. How would you feel if you saw a deer stuck on a frozen lake?
4. Do you think it was brave for the firefighters to crawl on all fours across the icy lake? Why or why not?
5. How do you think the firefighters felt when they reached the deer and guided it back to safety?
6. Do you like animals? Why or why not?
7. What do you think about the firefighters going above and beyond their duty to save the deer?
8. Have you ever witnessed an act of kindness towards animals? Can you describe it?
9. Do you think it’s important to be kind and caring towards animals? Why or why not?
10. How do you think the video of the firefighters rescuing the deer has touched people all over the world?
11. Have you ever done something good to inspire others? Can you share your experience?
12. Do you think small acts of kindness can make a big difference? Why or why not?
13. What other acts of kindness towards animals can you think of?
14. How do you feel when you see videos or stories of people helping animals?
15. Do you think it’s important for local heroes like firefighters to help animals in need? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Minnesota
2. deer
3. firefighters
4. rescue
5. ice
6. selfless
7. animals
8. inspire

Meanings:
(a) To save someone or something from danger
(b) Living creatures that are not humans
(c) A hard, frozen substance that forms on water
(d) Thinking about others before yourself
(e) A type of animal that lives in the forest
(f) The state in the United States where the incident happened
(g) To motivate or encourage someone to do something
(h) People who put out fires and help in emergencies
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why did people call the fire department in Minnesota?
(a) There was a fire in a building.
(b) There was a car accident.
(c) There was a deer stuck on a frozen lake.
(d) There was a cat stuck in a tree.

2. How did the firefighters reach the deer on the frozen lake?
(a) They used a boat to reach the deer.
(b) They flew a helicopter to the deer.
(c) They walked on the ice without any problems.
(d) They crawled on all fours across the icy lake.

3. Why did the firefighters move slowly and carefully on the ice?
(a) They wanted to show off their skills.
(b) They knew the ice could break.
(c) They were scared of the deer.
(d) They were in a hurry to rescue the deer.

4. What did the firefighters do once they reached the deer?
(a) They left it on the ice.
(b) They gently guided it back to safety.
(c) They took pictures with the deer.
(d) They called for more help.

5. What does the video show about the firefighters?
(a) They are kind and dedicated.
(b) They are afraid of the ice.
(c) They are not good at their job.
(d) They don’t care about animals.

6. How did the video make people feel?
(a) Touched and inspired.
(b) Angry and frustrated.
(c) Bored and uninterested.
(d) Scared and worried.

7. What did the video remind people about?
(a) The dangers of icy lakes.
(b) The need for more firefighters.
(c) The importance of being kind to animals.
(d) The importance of sharing videos online.

8. What did the video show people can do?
(a) Nothing to help animals.
(b) Something bad and hurt others.
(c) Something dangerous and risky.
(d) Something good and inspire others.

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Someone recorded this brave act and shared it online.
2. Concerned citizens called the fire department to assist with the rescue.
3. The firefighters’ selfishness and lack of dedication to saving the deer demonstrate the unkindness of our local heroes.
4. After reaching the deer, they gently guided it back to safety.
5. In Minnesota, a deer was not stuck on a frozen lake and needed help.
6. The firefighters and rescue team recklessly walked upright across the icy lake to reach the deer.
7. The video has touched people worldwide, reminding us of the importance of being compassionate towards animals and inspiring others to do the same.
8. The video does not show the firefighters being cautious as they walk on the slippery ice, unaware that it could break.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What did people do when they saw a deer stuck on a frozen lake in Minnesota?
2. How did the firefighters and rescue team help the deer?
3. Why did the firefighters move slowly and carefully on the icy lake?
4. How did the video of the firefighters helping the deer make people feel?
5. What is the message that the video of the firefighters helping the deer conveys?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What happened in Minnesota that made people worried?
A deer got stuck on a frozen lake.

2. Who did they call for help?
They called the fire department for help.

3. How did the firefighters and rescue team reach the deer?
They crawled on all fours across the icy lake to reach the deer.

4. Why were the firefighters careful as they walked on the ice?
They were careful because they knew the ice could break.

5. How did they guide the deer back to safety?
They gently guided the deer back to safety.

6. What does this act of bravery show about the firefighters?
It shows that the firefighters are kind and dedicated, willing to go above and beyond their duty to save animals.

7. How has the video impacted people around the world?
The video has touched people all over the world and reminded them of the importance of being kind and caring towards animals.

8. What does this video remind us about being kind to animals?
It reminds us that even a small act of kindness can make a big difference and inspire others to do the same.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) frozen
(2) department
(3) rescue
(4) reach
(5) shared
(6) careful
(7) slippery
(8) guide
(9) heroes
(10) wanted
(11) video
(12) touched
(13) small
(14) difference
(15) example
(16) people
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Minnesota
Answer: (f) The state in the United States where the incident happened

2. deer
Answer: (e) A type of animal that lives in the forest

3. firefighters
Answer: (h) People who put out fires and help in emergencies

4. rescue
Answer: (a) To save someone or something from danger

5. ice
Answer: (c) A hard, frozen substance that forms on water

6. selfless
Answer: (d) Thinking about others before yourself

7. animals
Answer: (b) Living creatures that are not humans

8. inspire
Answer: (g) To motivate or encourage someone to do something
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why did people call the fire department in Minnesota?
Answer: (c) There was a deer stuck on a frozen lake.

2. How did the firefighters reach the deer on the frozen lake?
Answer: (d) They crawled on all fours across the icy lake.

3. Why did the firefighters move slowly and carefully on the ice?
Answer: (b) They knew the ice could break.

4. What did the firefighters do once they reached the deer?
Answer: (b) They gently guided it back to safety.

5. What does the video show about the firefighters?
Answer: (a) They are kind and dedicated.

6. How did the video make people feel?
Answer: (a) Touched and inspired.

7. What did the video remind people about?
Answer: (c) The importance of being kind to animals.

8. What did the video show people can do?
Answer: (d) Something good and inspire others.
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Someone recorded this brave act and shared it online. (Answer: True)
2. Concerned citizens called the fire department to assist with the rescue. (Answer: True)
3. The firefighters’ selfishness and lack of dedication to saving the deer demonstrate the unkindness of our local heroes. (Answer: False)
4. After reaching the deer, they gently guided it back to safety. (Answer: True)
5. In Minnesota, a deer was not stuck on a frozen lake and needed help. (Answer: False)
6. The firefighters and rescue team recklessly walked upright across the icy lake to reach the deer. (Answer: False)
7. The video has touched people worldwide, reminding us of the importance of being compassionate towards animals and inspiring others to do the same. (Answer: True)
8. The video does not show the firefighters being cautious as they walk on the slippery ice, unaware that it could break. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧