Introduction – Task – Process – Resources – Evaluation - Conclusion

Introduction

Greeting to our fellow Wildlife Conservationists! Every day, there are more and more animals being put on the Endangered Species list both in the United States and around the world. In addition, those species that are currently on the list are dwindling in numbers. Did you know that there are fewer than 60 Javan Rhinos still living on earth? And that number could go down further with each day passing. Ladies and gentlemen – we need to act and the time is now! The Save Endangered Species Organization (SESO) is in need of your help. Your job is to find an endangered species to study. You need to get to know their habits, where they are located, what they eat, and why this species is on the endangered list. The time to act in NOW! The future of an entire species could rest on your findings. Good luck on your assignment!

American Bison

One of the best ways to educate people on a cause is to get them to read information about the subject. Your task is to choose one species and write a storybook to educate the population as to the plight of your endangered species. You can make your selection from the United States Endangered and Threatened Species List or from the International List. You might want to select a species that lives in your own backyard (United States) or one that is unfamiliar to you and lives in a different continent. Once your selection has been made, you will need to research this species by getting information off the internet or by exploring the use of books at the library.

The necessary information that you will need to investigate your species and begin your storybook projects are:

1. find out what they look like (height, weight, color, fur etc.)

2. where do they live, what’s their habitat like, etc. (include a map)

3. what they eat and what eats them!

4. who do they share their habitat with

5. what they use for protection

6. how do they reproduce, how often, how many, etc.

7. why they are endangered

8. special adaptive features?

9. feeding behavior

Once your information and research is complete, you can begin writing your story. You may choose to make it either fiction or non-fiction. Some students prefer to make up a story that goes along with the research. Others just like to give facts about their species. When writing, you need to include the information that you have researched. Also, all books need to have a color illustration on every page. The minimum number of pages for your storybook is 10 (5 pages written on both sides).

The last page of your book, “Future page”, will have information about what humans can do to protect this species. This can be something that is currently going on to protect them. It also needs to be what you feel we, as humans, can do to protect and save your species. These stories will be used to read to our buddies in Mrs. Wilson’s kindergarten class. The stories will also go on display during Open House to help educate all people on what can be done to protect our endangered species.

The following websites will help you know what species are currently on the Endangered Species list:

http://www.eelink.net/ (search: endangered species>GO)

http://www.endangeredspecie.com/index.html

If you need to find information about your chosen species, facts and illustrations, use the following website:

http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Classroom/Science/Ecology/Endangered_Species.html

If you want ideas about how you can help species to survive, even thrive, use this website:

http://www.fws.gov/

(This website also include pictures of endangered animals and facts about them.)

Other resources are encyclopedias and reference books from the school library.

You will be evaluated on:

Resource Work: Was your resource work complete; did you search Internet sources; did you use library reference books; are your facts correct

On Task: Were you focused during computer work, library time, writing and illustrating storybook

Storybook: Were storybook guidelines followed; does book included 10 pages and illustrations on each

“Future Page”: Did you research what is being done to help your species; did you find/think of different solutions to the reason they are disappearing

Once you have completed this assignment, you will be able to tell others about endangered species and how new groups are being added to that list everyday. You will become more aware of the world around you and how you can impact our threatened species.