Endangered Animals Trading Cards
Created By:
Betsy Vilett
Title/Role:
MLIS Student
Organization/School Name:
St. Catherine's University
Location:
Minnesota
Grade Level:
1, 2 Type of Lesson:
Lesson in a unit Type of Schedule:
Combination Collaboration Continuum:
Moderate Content Area:
Social studies Content Topic:
Civic Skills Scenario:
After having completed a research report on an endangered animal, students will celebrate their learning by creating trading cards of their animal. To connect their learning to the real world and experience civic participation, students will host an “Endangered Animals Fair” as a culminating activity for their unit on Endangered Animals. At this fair they will sell the cards to parents, teachers, and other students in order to raise money for a nature conservancy organization such as the WWF. The SLMS and classroom teacher will work closely together to instruct, assist, and assess students as they work on the project in the classroom and/or library. Overview:
This lesson is designed to help students understand that they can apply their knowledge about endangered animals to helping make a difference in a real-world context by spreading awareness and raising money for a cause. Final Product:
The students will create one or more copies of an endangered animal trading card. They will tell potential “customers” about the animal. Library Lesson:
Students work with the SLMS and their teacher to obtain a print resource with photos or drawings of their animal. Students create their own drawing of their animal and, as they finish, are assisted by the teacher or SLMS in scanning it onto the computer. They then create a word-processed document highlighting the reason why their animal is endangered and what can be done to help. Students print at least two copies of their picture and Word document to create at least two trading cards. During the Endangered Animal Fair, first graders showcase their cards and provide information to potential customers (other students, teachers, and/or parents) about the animal. Estimated Lesson Time:
90 minutes Have you taught this lesson before:
No Strategies for differentiation:
Students may be allowed to trace pictures for their drawings and/or use a software program to create their pictures on the computer with drawing tools. Alternatively, students may seek photographs online (be sure to instruct students to credit the source of any image used). In addition, students who quickly complete several copies of their trading card may be asked to assist those who have not completed as many.