Watching and Learning: The Work of Jane Goodall
Jane Goodall grew up in England with a deep curiosity about living creatures. As a young woman, she dreamed of traveling to Africa to watch wild animals in nature. In 1960, a scientist named Louis Leakey gave her an unusual opportunity. He asked her to study wild chimpanzees at Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania, a country in East Africa. At that time, very few scientists had spent long periods living near chimpanzees in the wild.
When Jane first arrived in Gombe, the chimpanzees ran away whenever she came near. They were not used to humans and were afraid of her. Jane understood that she needed to be patient. Patient observation means watching closely for a long time without disturbing what you are studying. Day after day, Jane climbed the steep hills, sat quietly in the grass, and waited. She wore dull clothes that blended into the forest. Months passed before the chimpanzees realized that she was not a danger.
- curiosity:
- A strong desire to learn or know about something.
- observation:
- The act of watching something carefully to learn more about it.
- intelligence:
- The ability to learn, understand, and solve problems.
- primatologist:
- A scientist who studies primates, such as chimpanzees, apes, and monkeys.
- habitat:
- The natural home or environment where an animal or plant lives.
- conservation:
- The careful protection and preservation of nature, plants, and wildlife.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why did the chimpanzees run away from Jane Goodall when she first arrived in Gombe?
- 2What specific steps did Jane take to practice patient observation in the forest?
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About this biography passage for 3rd Grade
“Watching and Learning: The Work of Jane Goodall” is a biography reading passage about Jane Goodall, written for 3rd Grade. It takes about 3 minutes to read (481 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.