Conservation Plan Research & Writing

In this activity, students will research and write about a threatened species from their area. This activity encourages students to consider how to help a species that may be threatened due to climate change, which is an entry point into a discussion about how our actions may be harmful or helpful to other living things.

• Introduce the vocabulary term, conservation. Then, research species in your area whose habitat or survival is threatened by human activity.
• Students use the template to make a Conservation Plan for an animal of choice, using the research done as a class. There are multiple levels provided to meet the different needs of students.
• As you discuss threats to living things, check in with students to see how they feeling and encourage them to share their feelings with the class.

• Possible resources for learning about plants and animals in need of conservation include the following:
  • Colors of Conservation: Coloring Book
  • Protect Our Ocean Activity Book: Be an Ocean Guardian
  • Kids Can Change the World: Read Aloud
  • The Magic of Mangroves: Lesson Plan

• Related SubjectToClimate Lessons
  • Save the Sea Turtles
  • Los Animales y el Clima

The exercise demonstrates how students can create a plan for the conservation of endangered animals within their natural habitats. It emphasizes how out of balance humanity is with the natural world and how vital it is to save species from extinction. This activity was scientifically vetted, making it appropriate for use in the classroom.

Primary Standards

• Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
  • Writing (K-12)
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.2 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them).
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of "how-to" books on a given topic and use them to write a sequence of instructions).
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).

Supporting Standard

• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
  • ESS3: Earth and Human Activity
    • K-ESS3-3 Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.