Endangered Species Database Lesson

Long Range Objectives For Unit:

The unit entitled "Endangered Animals" will explore seven habitats: grasslands, wetlands, mountains, rain forests, oceans, deserts and tundra. How to identify and classify animals into six different species will be learned. The main characteristics of mammals, birds, fish, insects, amphibians and snakes will be covered. The causes of animals becoming endangered will be covered as well as finding out what can be done to prevent animals from endangerment and/or extinction.

Instructional Objectives For Lesson:

Students will be able to search for information on the World Wide Web.
Students will be able to search the library for information.
Students will be able to search classroom library.
Students will be able to search home and family for data.
Students will be able to work individually and in a cooperative group.
Students will be able to use a pre-designed database.
Students will be able to fill in the needed information on their databases.

Set:

Now that we have learned about animals, how to identify and classify them and about the different habitats that animals live in, we will now focus on animals that are endangered. What does the word endangered mean? These are animals that for various reasons are finding it hard to exist in our world. What might those reasons be? What can we do to help the animals? Let's brain-storm for answers. (Write them down and post them).

Instruction:

Discuss with students what a database is. Each team will have its own database. Show them the template of the predesigned database. (teacher designed). Give each student several hard copies so they can fill in the information as they find it. The database will hold data about endangered animals and their habitiats. Go over the the information that is requested for the database and ask if there are any questions. At this time have students work individually. The research is on-going and can be done at school or at home. Periodically the Bio-Leader(teacher) will check with each student to see what information they have found for the database. Twice a week for three weeks the Bio-Team will have an opportunity to enter what they have found into their database.

Closure:

At the end of the first day of this lesson have the children meet with their Bio-Team to find out what information they have found and to ask each other questions about what they did. The teacher will go from group to group to listen in on their progress. Each team will pick an animal and its habitat and report it to the large group. They will not give any information except for the name of the animal and its habitat. Tell the children great job or other appropriate praise and tell them to continue on (or to get their mind on task).

Reminders:

Note any students who are having trouble with the lesson and conference with them before the next activity time for the endangered species unit and see if their team-mates can help them.