Motivation
When
a species becomes endangered it is usually because the habitat where it lives or
breeds is being destroyed. There are four categories of a species in
danger. Threatened means that the population levels are getting low and if
the trend continues the species will become extinct. Endangered means that
. Extirpated means that the species is no longer in an area where it used
to be, even though there are other populations living elsewhere. Extinct
means that there are no longer any members of that species remaining. A
special part of an ecological community is gone. Each part of that
community does a special job. When that species is gone the community
becomes weaker and out of balance. The key to life on Earth is to have a
wide variety of living organisms. Each organism depends on other organisms
and when a part of the support base of any species is weakened by the
disappearance of another species the first species becomes weaker.
Activity
Using
the information from the web find out information on five different species that
are endangered or threatened on the Great Lakes. Then create a letter
using the letter format given that can be sent to different communities
informing them that there is an endangered or threatened species in their
area. Let them know what they can do to help protect that species.
On the back of the letter shade in areas on the map where different species are
endangered or threatened. Use color coding to represent each
species.
Success in your assignment will be determined
on the following basis.
Scoring Rubric for Greedy
Developers
Part of Assignment
Excellent - 4 pts each
Good - 3 pts each
Fair - 2 pts each
Poor - 1 point each
Species information
Excellent infomation on all species
Good information on all species
Fair information on all species
Poor information on all species
Locations on the map
All species locations are plotted
accurately
Most of the species locations are plotted
accurately
Some of the species locations are plotted
accurately
None of the species locations are plotted
accurately
Letter to the community
Letters are very convincing
Letters are convincing
Letters are somewhat convincing
Letters are not convincing
Spelling and grammar
There are few spelling or grammar errors
There are some spelling or grammar errors
There are a lot of spelling or grammar
errors
Spelling and grammar errors are very
common
Finding Information
Found all information as instructed
Found information with some assistance
Found information with a lot of assistance
Could not find any
information
The letter is to be addressed to the citizens
of ___ community. It should contain three parts.
Opening - explaining who you are
and what your are doing.
Description - of what endangered or threatened species are near their
community.
Explanation - of
why the species are in danger.
Conclusion - describing how to help to protect these species from
extinction.
Each of
the species is located on the map in a different color. The names of the
cities and towns around the breeding grounds (animals) or habitats (plants) are
printed.
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