Students will understand the concept of endangered species and will research a specific endangered animal. They will write a report using credible resources, assemble a bibliography, as well as view and analyze examples of public service announcements (PSAs). Then, using this knowledge, they will write and record their own PSA and present their research to peers and families.

• Learn and share knowledge about endangered species through research and presentations.
• Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly
• Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension
• Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
• Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic.
• Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources.
• Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format.
• Respect copyright of creators and producers.
• Continue an inquiry-based research process by applying critical thinking skills to information and knowledge in order to construct new understandings, draw conclusions, and create new knowledge
• Use technology and other information tools to analyze and organize information.
• Use the writing process, media and visual literacy, and technology skills to create products that express new understandings.

• The growth and survival of living things are affected by the physical conditions of their environment(ACSSU094)
• With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be(ACSIS232)
• With guidance, plan appropriate investigation methods to answer questions or solve problems(ACSIS103)
• Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect peoples’ lives (ACSHE100)

1. Students will conduct research on an endangered species animal using a variety of print and electronic resources, focused on the following questions:
   • What are the major threats to your animal?
   • What is being done to protect your animal?
   • How is their food source impacting their endangerment?
   • Where in the world can your animal be found?
   • What are some interesting facts about your animal?
2. Students will write a nonfiction report on their chosen endangered animal.
3. Students will type their nonfiction report on their endangered species animal, assemble a bibliography of their resources (using the Bibliography Worksheet.pdf), and locate a picture of their endangered species.
4. Students will view examples of public service announcements on endangered species and analyze their content using theKeys Questions Producing .pdf document and the Public Service Announcement.pdf.
5. Students will write 30 second PSA’s that include an introduction, body, and closing that follows the Project Component Checksheet.pdf
6. Students will record 30 second Blabberize PSAs with facts about their endangered species.
7. Students will create posters that include their research findings.
8. Students will present their research findings to their peers and families at a school-wide Technology Night.

Assessment:

• Anecdotal
• Use of rubrics for assessing presentations
• Peer assessments
• Work samples

ELA Six Traits of Writing Rubric Page One
Writing_Rubric_Page_1.jpg

ELA Six Traits of Writing Rubric Page Two
Writing_Rubric_Page_2.jpg

Blabberize Assessed by PSA Production Rubric
 PSA rubric.pdf

Source Citation Worksheet
 Source Citation Worksheet.pdf

Resources:

• Bibliography Worksheet
   Bibliography Worksheet.pdf

  Public Service Announcement Checklist
   Public Service Announcement.pdf

  Project Component Checksheet
   Project Component Checksheet.pdf

• Key Questions to Ask When Producing Media Messages (Project Look Sharp)

   Keys Questions Producing .pdf

  Key Questions to Ask When Analyzing Media Messages (Project Look Sharp)
   Key Qs For Analyzing-2.pdf

  Suggested Library Resources
   Suggested Library Media Resourcesfor Endangered Species Project.pdf

• Jon Lithgow supporting manatees:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-hpMwZzx5M

  Roots and Shoots Youth campaign “On the Edge”:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM2MsPB0BxI&feature=player_embedded#!

  Really interesting campaigns from the WWF featuring magazine ads:
  http://thedesigninspiration.com/articles/50-creative-wwf-campaigns-that-make-you-think-twice/

  Polar bears PSA from the WWF:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrUDq4PBYf8&feature=related

  Endangered species day PSA about multiple animals:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AgOlCy-aMI

  This lesson was produced during 2011-2012 as part of a collaboration between Project Look Sharp at Ithaca College and four NY State BOCES School Library Systems. The initiative brought together pairs of secondary science teachers and school librarians to develop models for integrating critical thinking and media literacy into secondary science content. The project was supported by federal LSTA funds awarded to the NY State Library by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. To view additional lessons from this series go to: www.projectlooksharp.org.

This lesson was sourced from: http://lstalessons.wikispaces.com/Endangered+Species+%E2%80%93+Creating+PSAs