GEMS project

5E Lesson Plan # Activity 4 Session 3

AUTHORS’ NAMES: Original lesson by UC Berkeley; Adapted by Meridith Allison

TITLE OF THE LESSON: Protecting Elephants

TECHNOLOGY LESSON (circle one): Yes No

DATE OF LESSON: October 29, 2008

LENGTH OF LESSON: 1 hour

NAME OF COURSE: Kindergarten Science

SOURCE OF THE LESSON: Elephants and their Young: Science and Math Activities for Young Children (University of California, Berkeley)

TEKS ADDRESSED: Science, Kindergarten

K.3(C) Explain a problem in his/her own words and propose a solution.

K.9 (A) Identify basic needs of living organisms.

CONCEPT STATEMENT: Though wildlife conservationists have been working for decades to protect elephants, the world’s population of these magnificent creatures faces an unknown future due to continuing poaching, habitat loss, and habitat degradation. Asian Elephants remain on the endangered species list, while African Elephants are considered a threatened species (www.ecos.fws.gov). This unit-closing lesson will build upon knowledge gained from previous weeks, while introducing the topic of wildlife conservation. Young students may not fully understand the plight of elephants and other endangered species, but a foundation of appreciation and awareness will be developed.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

Learners will be able to (1) identify one reason that elephants are an endangered species and (2) identify one way that humans can help protect elephants in post-lesson small group discussions, demonstrating concept mastery.

RESOURCES:

Poster size list of several common endangered and threatened species
Science journals and writing utensils
A book about the daily lives of threatened elephants such as The Elephant, Peaceful Giant. By Christine and Michel Denis-Hout.
Jewelry and small artifacts made from plastic, wood, glass, clay, or other materials such as a white chess piece, beaded necklace, or wood carving
Various craft materials such as plastic beads, colored macaroni, sculpting clay, etc.

VOCABULARY:

ivory
poacher
endangered
extinct
reserves

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: No significant concerns.

SUPLEMENTARY MATERIALS, HANDOUTS: None.

Engagement		Time: 10 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Display a list of endangered species, calling attention to the inclusion of elephants.	What do you think elephants need to live a happy and healthy life?	[food, water, lots of space] a car, a cage, etc.
Instruct students to note their ideas (words and/or pictures) in science journals.	Why are elephants an endangered species?	[hunters, not enough land, not enough food] they’re mean, they live in zoos, etc.

Exploration		Time: 15 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Introduce idea of research to find information.	How can we learn the causes of elephant endangerment?	[read a book, look online, ask a scientist] ask an elephant, draw a picture, etc.
Read the book on the daily happenings in an elephant’s land. Have students make notes (words and/or pictures) as you read.	What things in the story might prevent the elephants from living a happy and healthy life?	[hunters, land loss, cities, captivity] food, freedom

Explanation		Time: 15 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Explain that as cities expand, elephants lose their homes. Reserves are established to provide elephants protected space.	Where could elephants that have lost there home live? Would they be happy there?	[zoos, reserves] the city, a barn, etc.
Explain to students that some people will pay lots of money for things made from the ivory of an elephant’s tusk. Poachers kill elephants to get the ivory.	What would happen to elephants if no one worked to protect them?	[They would die, there would be no more elephants] they would live, they would be ok, etc.

Elaboration		Time: 20 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Discuss how concerned children can help protect elephants.	How can you increase others’ awareness of elephant endangerment?	[write letters, make posters, talk to friends and family] don’t tell anyone, don’t do anything, etc.
Display examples of jewelry or artifacts not made from ivory. Provide craft materials for students to make their own ivory-free artifacts in small groups.	What might we use instead of ivory to make jewelry, decorations and other artifacts?	[plastic, wood, metal, cloth] teeth, skin, etc.

Evaluation		Time: 10 minutes
What the Teacher Will Do	Probing Questions	Student Responses Potential Misconceptions
Walk through the room as small groups make crafts. Ask each table the two probing questions.	What is one reason that elephants have become an endangered species?	[poachers, ivory-hunters, cities] they are mean, they are protected, they live on reserves
Look at student’s journal entries to learn levels of participation and concept attainment.	What is one thing humans can do to protect wild elephants?	[establish reserves, not buy ivory, write letters, make posters to increase awareness]

Elephants and Their Young