Hoot

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Create Awareness for Protected Species”

In this activity, students select an endangered species and use media to create awareness for the species.

Roy’s approach to saving the owls begins when he raises awareness for them in his classroom. Most of the people in his community are unaware of the owls at the construction site, but by raising awareness, Roy can gather the community to speak up for the protected species.

Identify an endangered species and raise awareness for the species through a commercial, information bulletin, or other form of media. Draw connections between Roy’s experience and animal conservation as you plan and work. Use the questions below to guide your product:

• Where do the animals live?
• Why are the animals endangered?
• Can the animals be found nearby? If so, where? If not, where can we find them?
• How are the animals important to the ecosystem?
• Provide tips people can use to help the species thrive.

Present your media to peers, listen actively, and ask questions as they present theirs. In follow-up discussion or writing reflection, analyze and evaluate the connection points between your species and the owls and between your experience raising awareness and Roy’s.

Teaching Suggestion: Though it’s tempting for students to gravitate toward the more popular endangered species worldwide, encourage them to choose species from their state or general area of the country, broadening the area as needed if there aren’t enough species in the area for all students. Students may find it beneficial to research their topic using state and local conservation websites to assist them in finding information on local species. Students might begin by brainstorming a list of predictions concerning the species and then prove or disprove the ideas through research. Students might benefit from reminders during the task to draw connections to Roy’s experience and their own.

Paired Text Extension:

Use the content from one or more local brochures or other publications on species conservation to develop questions for local conservation agents in your state. Revise the questions so that they might lead conservation agents to discuss strategies that are used to conserve wildlife.

Teaching Suggestion: Often, conservation agents can be contacted within your area to provide resources and visit schools to raise awareness about conservation. Consider contacting local conservation agents to visit students and answer questions about endangered species.