kidcyberQuest www.kidcyber.com.au
Endangered Animals
of Australia
Setting the Scene
Animal species in many countries are becoming endangered. You are one of the Australian representatives on the world committee of ' Animals in Danger' . You are going to find out and present a report about endangered animals of Australia. You will work in a group with others to share the work.
Understanding before you begin:
What does 'extinct' mean? What does 'endangered' mean? What does 'species' mean?
Species means a group of one kind of animal.
Extinct means gone forever, there are none left.
Endangered means numbers are dangerously low.
Once a species of animals or plants becomes endangered, they might become extinct unless something is done to help them survive.
Resources
Step 1:
Choose your animals: each person in your group will choose one mammal and one reptile or bird. Go to the sites listed in step 3, and together with your group, choose your endangered animals.
Step 2:
Read the task. List what you already know in each section, then list what you need to find out. From this list, make up your research questions and start finding information. Use a data chart to make notes.
The task
For the endangered mammal and endangered reptile or bird you have chosen, find out about:
|
Appearance |
Note size, shape, colour, covering, special features. Include drawings or photos. |
|
Habitat |
Include information about where they shelter, how they find food. Is the weather hot or cold, wet or dry? |
| Habits and behaviours | What do they eat, how do they protect themselves, how do they have babies and look after them?
|
| Conservation Status |
Why are these two animal species endangered? What is being done to help them survive. |
|
Action |
What can we do to help? |
Step 3:
Resources
Look at these sites for information, download the data chart where you will make
notes as you research each animal.
In the kidcyber Animals Index the Australian species are marked with *
http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/animals.htm
http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/Austendangered.htm
http://www.spx.nsw.edu.au/src/Links/endanganim.html
http://australian-animals.net/
http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jmresources/replinks/index.html
You may look for other sites to find out about your chosen animal. You can look at videos or DVDs about these animals too.
Step 4:
Rough Draft
Use your notes to write a rough draft of your report about the two animal species you chose. Remember that you will be presenting the report to other world animal experts, so make sure you include details. Show the draft to your teacher to make sure spelling and grammar is correct, then make your final copy.
Step 5:
Prepare a presentation to the class.
Your group will make a presentation together about the animals you investigated. Presentation Ideas to choose from:
You can make a book or a chart about each of the animal species you chose. You can do a computer presentation in Power Point or Kidpix or a similar program, or make a video tape. At the presentation the class will be other members of the committee, and can ask questions afterwards. Ask your teacher for ideas and
help with presentation.
Step 6:
Evaluating yourself
Go here
to download your self assessment form. Be honest and write down how you think you did in this task, then discuss it with your teacher.
updated September 2006