Biodiversity in New Zealand Wildlife

8. Sharing knowledge – sharing views

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• recognise the importance of becoming active citizens;
• design a newspaper front page;
• use knowledge gained from the unit study to write an environmental article.

Teaching and learning activities

Using the knowledge gained during the unit, the students write an environmental article, and design a newspaper front page for the article.

Students prepare a plan of a newspaper front page considering layout and presentation, and selection of information.

Focus questions:

• Is there a balance of photographs and text?
• Is the main photograph above the fold line?
• Are the headlines appropriate?
• Is the lead story the best choice?

The front page must include the following:

• A suitable lead story related to biodiversity and the environment.
• A wanted poster for a pest.
• A review of an environmental organisation.
• A letter to the editor calling for increased funding for biodiversity strategies.

Further ideas:

• An advertisement for an environmentally friendly product or service.
• A profile of an environmental campaigner.
• Tangata Whenua perspective on interdependence.
• Guidelines for pet ownership in relation to protecting the environment.

Assessment opportunities

• Observation of self management in the planning process.
• Front page shows evidence of understanding of important issues relating to biodiversity.

Curriculum links

English

• Newspapers
• Transactional writing
• Visual Language - Presentation

Art

• Design and Layout

Science

• Interdependence in the environment

Internet links

The New Zealand Herald
http://www.nzherald.co.nz

Christchurch Press
http://www.press.co.nz

Otago Daily Times
http://www.odt.co.nz

New Zealand Search Company
http://www.newzealandsearch.co.nz/News_Media/Newspapers/

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