Biodiversity in New Zealand Wildlife

2. Endangered and Extinct

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• state the difference between endangered and extinct;
• give examples of extinct and endangered animals.

Teaching and learning activities

Post-box session

Using the post-box technique, place the following six questions around the room. Students are to write their answers on a slip of paper and place in the container provided at each question.

Question 1
What is the difference between endangered and extinct?

Question 2
What are the main causes of wildlife destruction?

Question 3
What types of human interference have caused wildlife extinction?

Question 4
Why wasn't wildlife destruction a problem before the introduction of large civilisations?

Question 5
Do you think the state of biodiversity in New Zealand wildlife is irreparable?

Question 6
Name one endangered and one extinct animal.

Divide the class up evenly among the six stations. Students are to collate the answers and report back to the class.

Game - Biodiversity Guess the Word! (pdf, 11kb), (word, 76kb)

Rules for this game:

There are three players per group:

• the player,
• the checker, and
• the guesser.

The object of the game is to earn points in one minute by giving related clues to the feature word without using words in the restricted category.

The player looks at the feature word on the first card, and gives clues about the word, without using the feature word, or the restricted words (including derivations of the restricted words, for instance, endangered, endanger, danger).

The checker holds the card, checks the clues that are given, and times the player.

The guesser has to guess what the feature word is, from the clues given by the player.

A point is given to the player for every correct guess made by the guesser. The maximum time for each player is one minute.

The player's turn ends if they use a restricted word.

The members of the game rotate roles. The winner is the person who gains the most points in their minute.

Assessment opportunities

• Post-box responses.
• Identification of two extinct and endangered animals.

Curriculum links

English

• Oral language
• Vocabulary extension

Science

• Animal life history
• Adaptations

Internet links

US Fish and Wildlife Service, Why save endangered species?
http://www.fws.gov/endangered/kids/resources/endanger.html

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