SAVING AMERICA'S ENDANGERED SPECIES
Background: Can you imagine a world without bald eagles, northern spotted owls, Hawaiian monk seals, or red wolves. Each of these species of the phylum Chordata is in danger of extinction. In a recent issue of Life magazine, 100 different endangered plant and animal species were discussed. The reasons for their endangered status includes: habitat destruction, predation, disease, and lack of adequate safeguards from excessive commercial, recreational, and scientific use.
Before humans arrived on the planet, one species out of a million died out every year; and these, due to natural causes. Now, with pesticides, pollutants, and sophisticated technology, we are killing tens of thousands of species every year. If we continue at this rate 1/5 of the life forms will be extinct within 30 years.
Purpose: What are the causes and possible solutions to the endangered status of a particular endangered chordate from North America?
Procedures:
This endangered species project will be produced in the form of a newsletter. Each group of students will select one of the many species and do research on it. Each group will have to produce a news letter about the species. The final copy of the newsletter must be word processed on a computer. Student groups may have up to 4 members, but no two groups may use the same species. To give every group a fair chance, the group's species will be selected by drawing from a hat. Neatness is very important as copies of all of the newsletters will be distributed around the country for evaluation and use.
Each newsletter MUST include, at least, the following sections:
Science:
- The classification taxons and scientific name of your animal.
- A description of the habitat and region your animal occupies.
- The reasons your animal is endangered and what if anything is being done about it.
History: - The history of human development and a geographical description of the region in which your species is found.
Humanities: (at least 2 of the following)
- A word game about your species.
- A poem about your species.
- A comic strip about your species.
- An interview with a public official about your species.
Cross- Cultural: - A Spanish (or other foreign language of your choosing) translation of the description of your species and it's habitat and a foreign language advertisement about saving your species.
Art: - A black and white pencil or ink drawing of your species.
An advertisement about saving your species.
List of References: - A bibiliographical list of books, periodicals, professional experts, and scientific organizations you used to gather your information.
How can one help? - A list of ideas or ways people can donate time and/or money to help save the species from extinction.
Project = _______________ points
Project is due ----> ________________
ENDANGERED SPECIES NEWSLETTER
Group Members:
Each newsletter MUST include, at least, the following sections:
Science:
- The classification taxons and scientific name of your animal. 5 POINTS
- A description of the habitat and region your animal occupies. 5 POINTS
- The reasons your animal is endangered and what if anything is being done about it. 10 POINTS
History:- The history of human development and a geographical description of the region in which your species is found.
10PTS
Humanities: (at least 2 of the following)
5 POINTS EACH = 10 POINTS
- A word game about your species.
- A poem about your species.
- A comic strip about your species.
- An interview with a public official about your species.
Cross- Cultural: - A Spanish (or other foreign language of your choosing) translation of the description of your species and it's habitat and a foreign language advertisement about saving your species. 10 POINTS
Art: - A black and white pencil or ink drawing of your species. 10 POINTS
- An advertisement about saving your species. 10 POINTS
List of References: - A bibiliographical list of books, periodicals, professional experts, and scientific organizations you used to gather your information. 10 POINTS
How can one help? - A l ist of ideas or ways people can donate time and/or money to help save the species from extinction. 10 POINTS
-
General appearance - 10 POINTS
Another 2 points extra credit will be given per section based on the initialing showing who worked on which sections.
If your newsletter doesn't look like a newsletter, you will get only 50% of the points you earned. Once you reassemble the report into a newsletter format, we will reinstate the full number of your points. This must be done by June 3,1995.
****************************************************************************************************
ENDANGERED SPECIES NEWSLETTER
Group Members:
Each newsletter MUST include, at least, the following sections:
Science:
- The classification taxons and scientific name of your animal. 5 POINTS
- A description of the habitat and region your animal occupies. 5 POINTS
- The reasons your animal is endangered and what if anything is being done about it. 10 POINTS
History:- The history of human development and a geographical description of the region in which your species is found.
10PTS
Humanities: (at least 2 of the following)
5 POINTS EACH = 10 POINTS
- A word game about your species.
- A poem about your species.
- A comic strip about your species.
- An interview with a public official about your species.
Cross- Cultural: - A Spanish (or other foreign language of your choosing) translation of the description of your species and it's habitat and a foreign language advertisement about saving your species. 10 POINTS
Art: - A black and white pencil or ink drawing of your species. 10 POINTS
- An advertisement about saving your species. 10 POINTS
List of References: - A bibiliographical list of books, periodicals, professional experts, and scientific organizations you used to gather your information. 10 POINTS
How can one help? - A l ist of ideas or ways people can donate time and/or money to help save the species from extinction. 10 POINTS
-
General appearance - 10 POINTS
Another 2 points extra credit will be given per section based on the initialing showing who worked on which sections.
If your newsletter doesn't look like a newsletter, you will get only 50% of the points you earned. Once you reassemble the report into a newsletter format, we will reinstate the full number of your points. This must be done by June 3,1995.
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