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Saving Species

There are many threatened and endangered species in the world. Students will investigate some animals that are at risk and the major threats to their existence, then create an illustration of one.

Lesson Plan

Supplies Needed

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  • Paper

Steps

  • Step 1

    Introduce students to the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Ask them to explore why this legislation was established and how it protects fish, wildlife, and plants that are considered threatened or endangered. Have students research the history of this act. When did calls for wildlife preservation begin? What acts preceded it? What were some of the first animals to face extinction? Have students investigate the major factors that threaten plants and wildlife and learn about several animal and plant species that are at risk.

  • Step 2

    Ask students to choose an endangered animal, plant, or both and and depict them in a collage. They can experiment with various art techniques, such as adding texture by crumpling and uncrumpling paper, or using watercolor pencils to draw an outline that becomes softened when water is brushed over the drawing, or any other way they could to create a richly textured image. Encourage students to label their drawing with the name of the species.

  • Step 3

    Have a discussion about the major threats to endangered species and steps that can be taken to prevent their extinction.

Standards

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

SCI: Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems.

Adaptations

Have students explore how NASA is using satellites to watch over endangered species. Which species are being monitored? What kind of imaging is used? Why are scientists optimistic about how this will help save animals from extinction?

Encourage students to watch an educational video such as "What is an Endangered Species?" at www.worldwildlife.org or "Meet Some of the World's Most Endangered Animals" at education.nationalgeographic.org.