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Don't Endanger Our World

Create a 3-D globe of the Earth and note the locations of endangered species.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Recycled Newspaper
  • Toothpick(s)

Steps

  • Step 1

    Talk about endangered species. Explain that this term is used to identify a group that is likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular area. Factors that lead to this include, climate change, invasive species, habitat loss, and poaching. Ask students to research the current list of endangered species and find out where they are located. Then have them look at a globe of the world to identify the continents and where the endangered species are located.

  • Step 2

    Have students create a papier-mâché model of the Earth. They can crumple newspaper into a ball to serve as an armature. Then cut up additional strips of newspaper that will be layered on top to form a smooth surface. Have them mix a 1:1 ratio of glue and water, dip those newspaper strips into the mixture, and layer the them over the crumpled ball, making sure to cover it completely.

  • Step 3

    While the papier-mâché dries students can outline and cut out shapes of the continents, then glue them to the globe. Next they can indicate the endangered species by drawing a small picture of it, cutting it out, attaching it to a toothpick, and then inserting it into the appropriate region on the continent where it lives.

Standards

SCI: Convey designs through sketches, detailed drawings, or physical models to communicate ideas and solutions.

SCI: Understand that events have causes, sometimes simple and sometimes multifaceted.

SCI: Use evidence to support the concept that behaviors can be influenced by the environment and the environment is impacted by behavior.

Adaptations

Have students investigate species that have been removed from the endangered list and find out what led to the reversal.

Have students investigate ways to save species from extinction, such as by supporting companies that promote sustainability, avoiding the use of pesticides and other chemicals that damage plants and wildlife, reducing pollution by properly disposing of waste, etc.