What is an Endangered Species?

Teachers Notes

Who is it for? 7-11 year olds

How long will it take? The activity is ideal as a 1 hour session.

Learning outcomes: Students will learn what an endangered species is, why species are
becoming endangered, where endangered species can be found and
what can be done to help.

What do you need?

Interactive whiteboard or projector

Computer to connect to whiteboard or projector
ARKives What is an Endangered Species? classroom presentation (PowerPoint)
A set of ARKives Endangered Species Activity Cards
Set of Threat cards
Large white paper for poster activity
Pens or pencils for decorating posters

Summary:

This creative activity is designed to teach 7-11 year olds about endangered species, what it
means to be endangered and what causes a species to become endangered. It also features
examples of conservation in action, and ideas for how the students can help.

After the presentation, each student is given an Endangered Species Activity Card with an image
of a different endangered species on it, and information about the threats faced by that species.
Once the students have read their card they are asked to decide which is the biggest threat faced
by their species, and form a group with other students whose species also faces the same threat.

In these groups, the students are asked to create a poster explaining the threat, the different
species affected by it and what can be done to help. At the end of the session the students
present their posters to the rest of the class.

Preparation guidelines:

1. Read through the instructions to make sure you understand the activity.
2. Download the What is an Endangered Species? PowerPoint presentation.
3. Download, print out and cut out the Endangered Species Activity cards.
4. Print out the Threat cards.
How to run the session:

1. Begin by introducing the theme of the session, endangered species, and explore what
the students already know about the topic. See slide notes on the PowerPoint
presentation for further guidance and information.

2. Run through the PowerPoint presentation using the examples given for each slide.

3. At the end of the presentation, give each student an Endangered Species Activity card.

4. Lay out the different threat cards on separate tables. The possible threats are as follows:
habitat loss, hunting and fishing, pollution, collection and the pet trade, invasive species
and disease.

5. Explain that each student must read their card, decide which is the biggest threat faced
by their species, and form a group with other students whose species also faces the
same threat.

6. Once in these groups, ask the students to make a poster explaining the threat, the
species which are affected by it and what can be done to help. The students can either
work in a group, or in pairs.

7. At the end of the session, each group can present their poster to the rest of the class.

Suggestions for extension activities:

For older or more able students, the Blank Activity Cards can be used. In this case, each
student is given a worksheet with 5 species on it, which they must then look up on the
ARKive website in order to find out and record the status, range and main threat for each
species. Students will require computers or laptops with internet access for this activity.

Students may also enjoy ARKives Endangered Species Bingo, which reinforces the
concept of endangered species and conservation statuses, or ARKive Geographic which
challenges students to become species experts for their chosen endangered species -
see separate activities (www.arkive.org/education).