Teacher Page
 Endangered New Jersey 

The following are suggestions that may be applied to any classroom in any state working on endangered animals. THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY!

NJ teachers can get materials on endangered species by writing to :
NJ Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife, ENSP, 2201 County Route 631, Woodbine, NJ, 08270.
If you are a teacher or student (from any state!) using our site, please contact us and let us know how you used it or what you would like to see added. We will share some of your teaching experiences with others on our questions/answers page.

ART SUGGESTIONS : 

  • Discuss the concept of camouflage and when the blending of color is important to endangered animals.
  • Create a collage of endangered animals.
  • Draw pictures of endangered animals in your area.
  • Create a poster about a particular endangered animals.
  • Create a mobile about endangered animals.
  • Design a mural or diorama of the habitats that support endangered animals.
  • Create an endangered species pamphlet for your own state or county.
  • Sculpt a favorite endangered animal from clay - this is particularly good with young artists if you select simple species such as the snakes or invertebrates (bugs!).
 

LANGUAGE ARTS ACTIVITIES: 

  • Research two endangered species using a Venn diagram to compare and contrast an aspect of them - such as what causes their threatened status, or how their habitat requirements compare.
  • Keep a journal as though you are a certain endangered animal.
  • As you study endangered animals develop your own ABC's .
  • Write letters to newspaper encouraging the purchase of special plates. There are suggestions on the Endangered Species Coalition web site.
  • Write to organizations for information on endangered animals.
  • Write a poem or song about your endangered art collage.
  • Develop a word search using "endangered" words.
  • Try your hand at writing, Haiku, Tanka, Rengas & Pyramid poetry.
  • Explore the etymology of scientific names used for species - often they will lead to Latin roots that are in wide use in English or to a person who discovered & named the species (eponyms).
 

 MATH ACTIVITIES: 

  • Graph the major causes of endangered species.
  • Graph a particular species decline or comeback - the bald eagle is an excellent choice./
  • Develop a data base linking information from our web page.
  • Predict how many animals may become endangered or threatened based on current National Wildlife Federation information.

 

MUSIC ACTIVITIES:  

  • Develop a rap song about why it is important to save endangered species or about a favorite species.
  • Select a simple melody and create a poem or lyric to go with the tune.
 

SCIENCE ACTIVITIES:  

  • Brainstorm threats today to the many species of plants and animals.
  • Research an endangered species. Chart your findings in regard to physical characters, habitat, food, any enemies and anything that makes it unique.
  • Brainstorm theories why animals fail to adapt to their ever changing environment.
  • Rank data both direct and indirect causes of endangerment.
  • Research trivia questions about endangered species.
  • Using the format for the Jeopardy game, develop and endangered species game.
  • Learn more about the causes of habitat loss. Find old and new aerial photographs of a habitat near where you live and compare them. Find out if planned development threatens sensitive habitats in your area.
 

SOCIAL STUDIES ACTIVITIES: 

  • For geography units, map out your state or county and create an endangered species map showing critical habitats (such as wooded areas & bodies of water) and illustrating the map with pictures of the species in that area.
  • Current events - check our bulletin board page for up to date endangered species issues.
  • Investigate the Endangered Species Act and discuss how politics and business interests play a part in the program in both beneficial and harmful ways.
  • Contact local politicians and find out what is being done in your area. Most states have a department of environmental protection or fish, game & wildlife division.

THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY!

NJ teachers can get materials on endangered species by writing to :
NJ Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife, ENSP, 2201 County Route 631, Woodbine, NJ, 08270.

If you are a teacher or student (from any state!) using our site, please contact us and let us know how you used it or what you would like to see added. We will share some of your teaching experiences with others on our questions/answers page.