Launch

The unit on endangered species is an exciting and important subject that students in your classroom can study.  Besides the need for our children to become aware to the importance of preserving the Earth's natural habitats, it is just as imperative that they become active participants in this movement.  We all recognize that these students are our future.  They will be the ones to continue accomplishing the goals set towards preservation as long as we can communicate the message powerfully and effectively.  This literature circle unit is designed to achieve these standards.

To begin this unit, the class needs to be interested.  We want them to care about the issue of endangered species and more so, we want them to understand how it can affect them.  The purpose of the launch activity is to get the students involved, concerned, and  motivated to learn more about how they can help.

Activity:

		Coordinate with a local animal habitat, or small zoo
		Plan a fieldtrip for your students to visit the habitat
		As the students begin to walk to the exhibits, they will discover that one after the other is closed due to animal extinction.  (It's better to use a smaller facility, so that this can actually be done.  Students will really feel the impact if all the habitats are "extinct")
		Don't let on that this really isn't the case
		After all the disappointment, round the students together in a comfortable spot to explain why you have done this.  You can either recruit a specialist from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a habitat worker, or you can do it yourself if the budget is tight to talk about the impacts and the concerns for our plants and animals today.  There are several resources that will help you accomplish student education of endangered species.
		After your discussion, proceed with the real habitat tour and let the students enjoy themselves
		By now you should have increased interest and a common thread linked to the students, the unit, and a defined purpose in reading and discussing these books

http://endangered.fws.gov/kids/heyteach.htm

This is a helpful resource for teachers provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  It includes several links to other pages that are full of activities and ideas for students and teachers.