Independent
Site Visits 10th Grade:
Conservation
in Action - A Visit to the Bronx Zoo
Grade Level: 10th
grade
Learning Standards:
Students will demonstrate an understanding of evolution, diversity, and
adaptation, such as variation and extinction, and demonstrate an understanding
of the impact of technology on society.
Time Requirements:
Pre-Visit: 3 hours;
Visit: 4 hours; Post Visit: one week outside of class
Topics Covered by
This Lesson:
Several
definitions/terms related to conservation
legal and scientific
definitions
Lists of classified
species
Species who are
endangered
Why certain species are
endangered
What is being done
Wildlife Careers
Pre-Visit:
Purpose of Lesson: To
learn an overview of conservation.
Purpose of Trip: To
reinforce classroom lessons and provide close views/contact with the organisms
discussed in the classroom.
Objectives:
Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to:
define
the terms endangered, extinct, vulnerable, rare, insufficiently known, and
critical,
including an animal example of each
identify
at least one resource that provides lists of classified species
name
at least four characteristics of a vulnerable species
identify
four causes for a specie’s endangerment and provide an example for each
name
at least two things being done to help protect endangered species and
provide
an example of each
describe
two wildlife careers
Materials Required: 1 notebook
and pen/pencil for each student, slides/projector, confiscated wildlife
products
Student Learning
Prerequisites: Knowledge of adaptations in living
systems and impact of technology.
Visit:
Students will each have
a notebook and a pencil as they listen to and take notes from a slide show
presentation. Topics to be
reviewed include endangered species - what this means, who is endangered, why
and what is being done. The class
will discuss conservation issues and learn about research in field biology and
wildlife protection. Students will
view exhibits up-close (rhinos, elephants, tigers) and examine confiscated
wildlife products (i.e. carved ivory, tiger bone wine). As they visit the zoos most endangered
species (leopards, Mexican wolves), students will learn how zoos play a key
role in conservation. They will
see high-tech equipment that has been brought to zoos for wildlife
conservation.
Lunch
Students will then have
the opportunity to learn about different career options at the zoo. As they meet live animals, they will be
exposed to the wide range of careers that are associated to their care.
Post Visit: Assessment - Written - Each student will have one week
outside of class to write a letter to his/her congressperson regarding
legislation in support of wildlife conservation. The letter must address: what endangered is, who is endangered, why they are
endangered, what is being done and what further can be done.
Extensions/Suggested
Homework Assignments: see above
Locate a list of
threatened animals on the Internet and choose one of those animals and write a 1-2-page paper about this
animal. Please include: range, habitat, status, life span,
gestation, offspring, size, diet, description, social structure, reproduction,
interesting facts, references.
Possible questions
that may be brought up:
How does the zoo get
rights to keep the endangered animals?
Are the endangered
animals at the zoo ever let back out into the wild?
How often are the
endangered animal lists updated?