Chimp Champion Study Guide
Grade 3 Science & Biography
Chimp Champion: Jane Goodall
Field Topic Primatology & Wildlife
Field Scout
Born April 3, 1934 London, England
Field Station Gombe Stream Tanzania, Africa
Key Focus Wild Chimpanzees Behavior & Tools
1
A Girl with a Curious Mind
When Jane was just four years old, she hid inside a wooden henhouse for hours. Why? She wanted to see how a chicken laid an egg! Jane loved watching animals in nature and had endless patience.
Her father gave her a plush toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. Some people thought the realistic toy was scary, but Jane adored it. She read books about animals, such as The Story of Doctor Dolittle and Tarzan, and promised herself that one day she would go to Africa to live with and write about wild creatures.
Jubilee the Chimp Jane kept her beloved stuffed chimpanzee on her bedside table all her life!
2
The Journey to Gombe Stream (1960)
At age 26, Jane traveled to Kenya and met famous scientist Dr. Louis Leakey. He was impressed by her sharp eyes and knowledge of nature. He asked Jane to study wild chimpanzees in the rugged forests of Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania.
At first, the shy chimpanzees fled whenever Jane approached. But Jane did not give up. Every single morning, she climbed high into the hills wearing dull clothes so she would blend in. After months of gentle patience, the chimpanzees realized she meant no harm and let her sit nearby.
Jane's Essential Field Toolkit
Binoculars To watch animals from a calm, safe distance
Field Notebook Writing exact behaviors, diets, and sounds
Endless Patience Waiting days and weeks for wild trust
Chimp Champion Study Guide • Dr. Jane Goodall Page 1 of 2
Key Scientific Breakthroughs
Discoveries in the Forest
Gombe Research 1960 to Present
3
Breakthrough: Chimpanzees Make Tools!
Game Changer
In the autumn of 1960, Jane watched a chimpanzee she nicknamed David Greybeard. He broke a leafy twig, pulled off the leaves, and gently pushed the thin stick into a mound of termites. When he pulled it out, it was covered in insects—and he ate them!
Before this day, scientists believed that only humans could make and use tools. Jane proved that chimpanzees are intelligent toolmakers!
Termite Fishing Chimps carefully choose twigs and modify them to catch tasty termites.
"Now we must redefine tool, redefine Man, or accept chimpanzees as humans!" — Dr. Louis Leakey
4
Names, Feelings & Family Bonds
Other scientists at the time gave animals numbers (like "Chimp #12"). Jane believed each animal had a unique personality, so she gave them names like Flo, Fifi, and Goliath.
Emotions They feel joy, sorrow, anger, and affection.
Family Ties Mother chimps nurse and nurture young for many years.
Body Language They hug, kiss, hold hands, and groom each other.
Field Words to Master
Primatologist
A scientist who studies primates (chimps, monkeys, apes, and lemurs).
Habitat
The natural home or environment where an animal or plant lives.
Conservation
Protecting wild animals, plants, and natural spaces from destruction.
Observation
Carefully watching and noting what someone or something does.
Jane's Message: Roots & Shoots
In 1991, Jane started Roots & Shoots to empower young people around the globe. Her message: "Every individual matters. Every individual has a role to play. Every individual makes a difference."
Chimp Champion Study Guide • Dr. Jane Goodall Page 2 of 2
Chimp Detective Activity Sheet
Chimp Detective Activity Sheet
Jane Goodall Field Investigation • Grade 3
Total Points ____ / 20
Field Detective:
Date:
1 Timeline Trek: Put Jane's Life in Order
4 Points
Write numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the circles to show the correct order of events from first to last.
Jane travels to Gombe Stream in Tanzania and patiently waits for chimpanzees to accept her.
Little Jane hides in a henhouse and receives a toy chimpanzee named Jubilee.
Jane starts the Roots & Shoots program to inspire young people around the world to protect nature.
Jane spots David Greybeard stripping leaves from a stick to fish for termites in a mound.
2 True or Wild Fiction?
4 Points
Fill in the circle next to TRUE or FALSE for each statement based on your study guide.
A. Before Jane's study, scientists thought humans were the only animals that made tools.
TRUE FALSE
B. Jane gave the chimps numbers (like Chimp 1 and Chimp 2) so she wouldn't name them.
TRUE FALSE
C. Chimpanzees show affection and family love by hugging, kissing, and holding hands.
TRUE FALSE
D. Jane wore bright, shiny neon clothing so the chimps could easily see her coming.
TRUE FALSE
3 Field Words Match-Up
4 Points
Match each word on the left with its definition on the right by writing the correct letter in the blank.
A Primatologist
B Habitat
C Conservation
D Observation
The natural environment where an animal lives
Carefully watching and noting what an animal does
A scientist who studies apes, monkeys, and chimps
Working to protect wild animals and nature from harm
Chimp Detective Activity Sheet Page 1 of 2
Field Notebook Part 2
Investigation Lab & Action Plan
Student Name:
4 Scientific Sketch: Termite Fishing Tool Lab
4 Points
In the box below, sketch David Greybeard making or using his grass or twig tool to fish for termites in a mound. Label two parts of your drawing (such as Termite Mound and Twig Tool).
Why was David Greybeard's tool use such an important scientific discovery?
5 The Scientist's Superpower
4 Points
Jane packed binoculars and a notebook, but she said her most important tool was . Why did Jane need patience to study wild chimpanzees? What might have happened if she had rushed?
Chimp Champion Answer Key
Teacher Resource • Grade 3
Chimp Champion Answer Key
Assessment Key 20 Total Points
Teacher Guide: This key supports scoring the Chimp Detective Activity Sheet. Parts 1–3 assess factual recall and vocabulary (12 pts), while Parts 4–6 evaluate synthesis, scientific drawing, and personal reflection (8 pts).
1 Part 1: Timeline Trek Solutions (4 Points)
1 pt per item
2 Jane travels to Gombe Stream in Tanzania and patiently waits for chimpanzees to accept her. (1960)
1 Little Jane hides in a henhouse and receives a toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. (Childhood)
4 Jane starts the Roots & Shoots program to inspire young people around the world. (1991)
3 Jane spots David Greybeard stripping leaves from a stick to fish for termites. (Late 1960)
2 Part 2: True or Wild Fiction Solutions (4 Points)
1 pt per item
A. Before Jane's study, scientists thought humans were the only animals that made tools. TRUE
B. Jane gave the chimps numbers (like Chimp 1 and Chimp 2) so she wouldn't name them. FALSE (She gave them names!)
C. Chimpanzees show affection and family love by hugging, kissing, and holding hands. TRUE
D. Jane wore bright, shiny neon clothing so the chimps could easily see her coming. FALSE (Dull colors to blend in)
3 Part 3: Field Words Match-Up Solutions (4 Points)
1 pt per match
B Habitat: Natural environment where an animal lives.
D Observation: Carefully watching and noting behavior.
A Primatologist: A scientist who studies apes and monkeys.
C Conservation: Protecting wild animals and nature from harm.
Chimp Champion Answer Key • Dr. Jane Goodall Page 1 of 2
Scoring Rubrics & Exemplars
Constructed Responses & Dialogue Guide
Parts 4, 5 & 6 8 Points Total
4 Part 4: Termite Fishing Tool Lab Rubric (4 Points)
Rubric & Exemplar
Sketch Criteria (2 Points):
- 2 pts: Clear drawing of chimp with tool/mound, plus 2 labels.
- 1 pt: Drawing shows chimp or tool, missing labels.
Written Explanation (2 Points):
- 2 pts: Explains that people believed only humans made tools.
- 1 pt: Mentions chimps eating bugs without linking to toolmaking.
