Is Extinction an Option?

Summary

Students will research and report on the affects of extinction of a particular species on Earth's food webs and energy flow. They will create a brochure to describe why the animal should be saved from extinction or allowed or pushed to extinction. They will design a "concerned citizens" group for the animal.

Materials

• computers or books about animals
• paper
• colored pencils
• printer if computers are used
• student sheet (attached)

Instructional Procedures

1. Ask students to pick a wild animal that they are interested in. Ask them to write the name of it on the board or list them on an overhead as a class so that no two students have the same one. Or, have students work in groups of two, especially if computers are limited. Remind them that insects are animals and that they may argue for extinction of the animal.
2. Show students the materials they have to work with and what you wish the final brochure to look like. It needs to have at least 4 sides to the booklet.
3. Each side should contain the following information:
   1. Side one-the name of the animal, a picture of it, what it eats in its normal environment and what eats it.
   2. Side two-describe the factors that are affecting the population of the species, what is happening to the number of individuals and what the predictions for its future are.
   3. Side three-predict the effect of losing this species on the food chain and other reasons why it might be important to gain or lose it in the environment.
   4. Side four-describe steps that could be taken to encourage the survival of the species or its disappearance. Describe what your group of concerned citizens wishes to do.
4. Allow students time to do their research and design and complete their brochures.
5. When finished, have students pass the brochures around and decide which is most convincing in its plea for protection or extinction of the animal.

Bibliography

Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff