Year Five Science Lessons Australian Animals Year Five Science Lessons

Lesson Sequence Overview:

Lesson Three: Endangered Animals Learning objectives: 1. Explain the meaning of endangered animals. 2. Discuss the difference between extinct, critically endangered and vulnerable and list some species that are currently endangered. 3. Identify reasons for endangered species. 4. Create a poster using glogster.com to publish findings.

Prior Knowledge Students: Have been on an excursion to the Perth Zoo. Can describe characteristics of different animals and explain their significance. Are aware animals fall into six classification groups. Have explored what habitats and food webs are. Are aware of the relationship between an animal and the living and non-living elements in its habitat.

What are the six animal groups? REVIEW What are the six animal groups? Mammal Fish Bird Reptile Amphibian Arthropod

What do we mean when we say an animal is ENDANGERED? DISCUSSION What do we mean when we say an animal is ENDANGERED?

DEFINITIONS Extinct means that the entire species has died out and can never return. Critically Endangered is the highest risk category for wild species. Critically Endangered means that a species' numbers have decreased, or will decrease, by 80% within three generations. The Tasmanian Tiger is a mammal that was hunted to extinction in the early 1900s The Regent Honeyeater is a bird facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

An endangered species is a species which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by a changing environmental or predators. A vulnerable species is one which has been categorised as likely to become Endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve. The Dugong is a large marine mammal whose population is dwindling and at threat of extinction The Green and Golden Bell Frog is an amphibian that is considered vulnerable.

Video: Endangered Species in Australia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Osr_xJWEVOM

Class Activity Use Glogster.com to make a poster about an endangered animal. Open the wikispace: http://ashandkylieictinteractiveresource.wikispaces.com There are instructions and helpful links! You have been assigned a group and animal classification so first look for this!