Conservation Action: Biodiversity Lesson
Lesson Plan
1 hourGradesK, 1, 2Biology
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Written by Emily Townsend
About this lesson
In this lesson, students learn how people are protecting living things and create their own plan to protect living things.
Inquire: Students learn about how artists are helping species in critical categories on the Red List.
Investigate: Students watch a video illustrating the actions taken by humans to help protect a species.
Inspire: Students design a solution to help a living thing.
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Everything you need to teach it
How to edit these materials (video)Teaching tips
Suggestions
- Use this lesson to create a collaborative learning environment for students to consider positive action in their community.
- Students will consider how responsible decision-making directly impacts them and their environment in this lesson.
- Incorporate multiple learning styles using the options for helping wildlife.
- This lesson may be taught over several days. Teach the Inquire and Investigate section on Day 1. Develop conservation plans in the Inspire section on Day 2.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 3 of 3 in our Number Sense and Biodiversity unit.
- You can choose to use the animals featured on the IUCN’s Red List slides in the Teacher Slideshow or identify 1-2 species on the IUCN’s Red List from your local area and adapt the slides. To find other animals, you may search for a specific species you know is in danger or use the directions below:
- Click on Advanced Search.
- Click on Land Regions.
- Click on the Arrow next to the Land Region you live in. This further narrows down the region.
- Click on Habitats. Choose a habitat that describes your area.
- Click on Red List Category, and select all categories except for Least Concern, Data Deficient, and Extinct.
- The species will appear in a list. To view them on the map, choose the map setting on the gray header across the top.
Differentiation
- As a possible extension, students can share their design with the class and/or community leaders using cause and effect language.
- In the Inspire section, the class can brainstorm ideas together and vote to create one conservation plan.
- The Student Document has an adapted version for younger students that requires mostly drawing in response to the questions.
- Show artwork or student actions related to your community in order to highlight conservation in your area.
From the scientist review
The lesson features human actions to improve biodiversity. It would inspire students to lead initiatives on biodiversity conservation in their community. All materials have been fact-checked, and this lesson has passed our credibility process.
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About the teacher writer
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Emily Townsend
K-8 ELL Teacher
Emily Townsend is an educator with 15 years of teaching experience as both a general education teacher and an English Language Learner (ELL) specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Drake University and a Master of Arts in Teaching, Leadership, and Cultural Competency from the University of Iowa.
