How to Create an Endangered Animal Unit for Grade Schoolers
Children are natural animal lovers. The first time they learn that some species of animals will never again be seen on earth, they are usually quite incredulous. A student's natural curiosity will provide the motivation for learning more on this subject. The purpose of the following unit is to help children understand why some animals become endangered, what kinds of animals are on that list and what people can do about the problem. These objectives are achieved through interactive methods.
Instructions
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Begin the Endangered Animals Unit by displaying photos or illustrations of a dozen animals (see Resources). Show students pictures of four animals that are now extinct, four that are currently endangered, and four that have come off the endangered list as a result of action taken to save them (consider using the bald eagle, grizzly bear, gray wolf and American alligator for examples of these). Encourage students to guess the status of each animal.
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Divide the class into pairs, assigning each pair either one of the animals you displayed earlier or one of their own choosing from the same group (extinct, endangered or restored). Propose this question for the pair to answer: Why is the animal they have chosen a part of that particular group? Provide students with library or textbook resources for them to use in their research, or suggest some of the websites listed at the end of this article.
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Give each pair the following assignment. One student will play the role of a journalist; the other student will play the part of the animal. For fun, encourage students to create construction paper ears, tails, face masks or other body elements if they wish. Each pair will present an interview to the class. The “journalist” will ask the “animal” five questions about its status on the endangered animal list, including the reasons for that status. The animal will answer the questions.
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Provide students with a comprehensive list of endangered animals. Each student will select an animal (excluding those that have been discussed earlier). Provide students with large sheets of butcher paper or poster board and colored markers and ask them to create a poster designed to inform the public about the endangered species and how to take some action to help prevent its extinction. Ideas for possible action can be found on the World Wildlife Fund’s site (see References).
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Tips & Warnings
Speakers from local zoos and wildlife organizations are sometimes available to speak in classrooms.
