#3251. Endangered Species

Science, level: Elementary
Posted Mon Oct 11 11:31:08 PDT 2004 by Stefanie Shamitko (stefshamitko@yahoo.com).
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, Johnstown
Materials Required: computers, slide show with pictures of endangered animals
Activity Time: 45-60 minutes
Concepts Taught: awareness of endangered species, technology

Name: Stefanie Shamitko Date: September 4, 2003
School: Forest Hills Elementary Grade: 4
Subject: Science -- Extinction

Academic Standards: Environment and Ecology Standards/ Extinction
4.7.4. -- C. Define and understand extinction

Objectives:

• Students will be able to define the term extinction
• Students will be able to name 4 animals that are extinct and 2 plant species that are extinct.
• Students will be able to list 3 reasons why animals and plants become extinct.
• Students will be able to create ways that would help prevent extinction.

Subject Integration: writing, reading, and creative thinking

Materials: "Endangered Species of the World,"
Slide show of pictures that demonstrate causes for extinction.

Vocabulary Words: extinction, pollution, slash and burn farming, Do-Do Bird

Instructional Procedures:

• Anticipatory Set - introduce the lesson by orally reading and discussing the book "Endangered Species of the World"

• Developmental Activities-
- Show the film strip about the causes for extinction and discuss how each of them effect extinction and discuss some key terms.
- Ask students to make a list of 4 animals and 2 plant species that are now extinct and also reasons for why they are extinct.
- Discuss together in small groups different ways that extinction could be prevented.

• Closure-
- Invite the small groups to share their different ideas that they created to
help prevent extinction.

Assessment:
- evaluate the students list of the extinct species and plants
- observe their use of key terms and involvement in their small groups
- evaluate the students ideas that they developed in their small groups

Special Needs Adaptations: For a hearing impaired student, a copy of the book could
supplied and also seating them in the front of the room
could be beneficial. Also, supplying the student with a
brief description of each slide would be helpful.

Extension/Enrichment: Have the students find 2 others animals or plants that are
extinct that were not discussed in class.

Technology Integration:

• One computer in the classroom -- With the use of the overhead projection onto a large screen in the front of class, the teacher will share the website: http://www.worldwildlife.org/endangered/index.cfm with the class. I will guide the students through the website and show them different examples of animals that are on the endangered species list. We will discuss some of the threats that cause animals to become endangered and some preventative measures that can be taken to try to bring the population back up to higher numbers. This will be beneficial to students because they will be able to see exactly what animals are endangered. Many of these animals are ones that students never would have thought to be endangered.

• Six computers in the classroom -- Students will be arranged into groups and will partake in a WebQuest using the six computers. Students will be active in the WebQuest found at: http://www.umeedu.maine.edu/coehd/especies/spage.htm. Together as a group, students will create the pamphlet that is explained on the WebQuest. The students must work together and think of convincing arguments to explain why their animal should be saved. Students will also be asked to record their information using the data sheet provided. After the completion of each groups presentation, there will be a vote to decide which group had the most convincing argument.

• Each child has a computer in the classroom -- Students will be asked to research an endangered species that we may have not yet discussed in class using their own computer. The students will be permitted to look at the following websites only:
o http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/6535/
o http://www.yahooligans.com/docs/earl/980423.html
o http://www.sprint.com/epatrol/ep-endangered.html
o http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/3785/
o http://www.glencoe.pps.k12.or.us/room206.html/Animals/animal.html
Having the students' only look at these selected websites will ensure that they are only looking at pre-approved material. After the students' have found some interesting information on the species of choice, they will be asked to create a poster with a few facts about that species. Students will then be able to share their research finding from the Internet for the entire class.