Endangered Species, Cultures, and Biomes

Activity 1:  Our Endangered Species

Grade level:  5 - 7 grade

Time:  60 minutes research time

Concept:  Student determine the main cause(s) behind the endangered status of plants and animals in their state.

Objectives:  Students will:

            1.  research reasons plants and animals of their state are endangered (Language Arts, Science)

            2.  present the information in written and/or oral form (Language Arts)

National Standards

            Science

            Language Arts

Materials:  research materials, list of endangered plants and animals for your state.

Preparation Needed:

            Contact the state wildlife division and forest service to obtain a list of state endangered plants and animals, gather research materials

Procedure:

            1.  Using the background information, discuss reasons species become endangered, threatened, or extinct.

            2.  Pass out the list of state plant and animal endangered species to each student.

            3.  Instruct students to research each species (or choose a certain number off the list depending on the length of the list) and discover what the main cause(s) of the status were.

            4.  Choose one species off the list and write a 2-3 minute report plus draw a picture explaining the cause.

Evaluation:

            Students describe a principal cause for extinction.  

Extension:

            1.  Determine if each species is also endangered nationally.  Why or why not?

            2.  Invite a speaker to the classroom to discuss endangered species of the area.

Modifications:

Older students

            1.  Assign each student one species off the list.  Instruct them to find out if any management programs exist specifically for that species.  Describe the program.  How much money is spent annually on the project(s)?  What are obstacles to the future of the species?

Younger students

            1.  Have students work in teams instead of alone.

ACTIVITY TWO