Lesson Overview
This year, Thursday, May 21st will be the official celebration date for "ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY." (It is now observed annually on the 3rd Friday in May.) Why would we need an official day to study the problems of animals who are starting to "disappear" from the Earth?
This lesson highlights how HUMANS HAVE CHANGED the fate of animals around the world. By "developing land" for human housing and businesses (which often pollutes or damages forests, jungles, rivers and plains... that are impacted by real estate developments), by NOT STOPPING illegal hunters who are killing certain species above the legal limits set by law, and with industries polluting animals' habitats (especially water animals), humans have had quite a negative impact on animal populations. We humans can even hunt, pollute, or tear down habitats to the point of wiping out certain types of animals entirely...which is called EXTINCTION.
But here's the GOOD NEWS! You can learn new ways not to pollute with certain items that injure wild animals. Also, you can investigate the exciting careers that are helping to protect animal species and their habitats. Maybe you'll even be interested in a job that helps the situation! Earth's "web of life" has an important balance that must be kept, for the welfare of ALL living creatures, even humans.
Essential Question
What careers are available if a student is interested in the "outdoor sciences," that can allow more species to SURVIVE and THRIVE? And also, how can all of us refrain from hurting wild animals, by stopping the habit of littering and other harmful "habitat - trashing" behaviors?
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Recommended Technology:
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Student chromebook
-a notebook
-a pencil or pen
-Posterboard, any color
-art supplies to create projects (markers, crayons, colored inks, glitter, stamps, etc.)
-scissors & magazines ( to complete an ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY poster or Rachel Carson project
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- AL.PW I can write on general interest, academic, and professional topics. I can write organized paragraphs about events and experiences in various timeframes.
- Science and Engineering Practices
- 5-6 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the political, social, economic, and environmental challenges faced by the United States during the period from the collapse of the Soviet Union to the present.
- Earth Science: Changes in Landforms and Oceans
- 5.E.3 The student will demonstrate an understanding of how natural processes and human activities affect the features of Earth’s landforms and oceans.
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