Endangered Species

Subjects: Science, Language Arts
Required Software: Microsoft® Word, Microsoft® PowerPoint®
Optional Software: Microsoft® Encarta 98 Encyclopedia or the Encarta Online and Internet Connection (http://encarta.msn.com/find/), Microsoft® Internet Explorer or web browser, Microsoft® Encarta® Virtual Globe, Microsoft® Access 97

Teaching Guide

Student Activity

Teaching Guide

Summary
In this cross-curricular activity, students will research the issue of species endangerment by exploring threatened animals, their habitats, and the environmental challenges associated with them.

Objectives

Prerequisite Skills
Basic research skills and basic computer skills

Time Allotted
Approximately one week

How to Begin

 

Student Activity

Description
In this activity, you will work in a group to research one endangered animal species. You'll find out and explain why it is endangered and recommend measures humans can take to protect the species from extinction.

 

STEP 1 Selecting Your Species
SOFTWARE: Microsoft Word or copy of Endangered Species Examples
WHAT TO DO: Choose two or three endangered animals of particular interest to you.

1.  For ideas, review the  Endangered Species Examples in a Word document.
2.  Decide on one that you’d like to learn more about.

STEP 2 Organizing Information
SOFTWARE: Microsoft Encarta Research Organizer
WHAT TO DO: Start by reviewing the process for researching and writing a report, using the Encarta Research Organizer Tutorial. To use the tutorial click the tutorials button on the Encarta Research Organizer startup screen.

1.  Open the Endangered Species Research Organizer file. You and your team can use this outline to help organize your research. These are the areas you'll need to research for your report.
2.  On the File menu, click Save As.
3.  Choose where you want to save the file.
4.  In the Save As box, type a name for the document such as your initials and Research Organizer (KJ Research Organizer).
5.  Click Save.
6.  In the Outline pane, click the Name card.
7.  In the right pane, click 1 Name, and type the name of the endangered species you have selected to study.
8.  In the right pane, click 2 and type some notes in your Notecard about what you know so far about your endangered species.
9.  You may need to move or resize this Endangered Species Lesson Help window in order to view the next step.
10. Click 3 Citation.
11. Click Add New Source, and click Next.
12. Click My Own Words, and click Finish.

STEP 3 Gathering Information
SOFTWARE: Microsoft Encarta 98 Encyclopedia or Microsoft Encarta Online and Internet connection, print reference materials.
WHAT TO DO: Use Encarta Encyclopedia or Encarta Online (need Internet connection and web browser) and printed reference materials to gather information on your topic. If you have Encarta Encyclopedia, follow step 1 below; if you don't, but you do have Internet access, go to step 2.

1.  If you have the Encarta® Encyclopedia, follow the steps below. If you don't have Encarta, skip to #2.

2.  If you're looking for information on the Internet, try these suggestions.

STEP 4 Writing Your Report
SOFTWARE: Encarta Research Organizer, Word
WHAT TO DO: Go back to Endangered Species Research Organizer and make sure you have all the data you need. Then, export this file to Word and continue to work on your report.

1.  Click each card in your Research Organizer outline and type your notes. Remember to cite the source for your information.
2.  On the File menu, click Save.
3.  In the Research Organizer, click the File menu, and then click Export.
4.  Choose where you want to save the file.
5.  In the Save As box, type a name for the document such as the animal and your initials (koalaKJ).
6.  In the Save File As Type box, Rich Text Format (RTF) should already be selected.
7.  Choose Save.
8.  Close the Research Organizer. Click the File menu, then click Quit.
9.  Open Microsoft Word.
10. On the File menu, click Open, and then locate the file you just saved in Step 4.
11. On the Format menu, click AutoFormat and choose OK.
12. Continue to make revisions to your report. Remember to put everything in your own words and cite all sources.
13. Print your report. On the File menu, click Print.
14. Quit Word. On the File menu, click Quit.

STEP 5 Presenting Your Findings
SOFTWARE: PowerPoint
WHAT TO DO: Use your printed Word report to help you create your slide show. This presentation tool will present the findings of your research to your class, and then save your presentation so it can be viewed on the Web.
1.  Open the PowerPoint file Endangered Species Slides. Use this file as an outline for your own presentation.
2.  Use the content in Word report to replace the placeholder information with your own information.
3.  Review the Quiz slide (last slide). You can use this to quiz your classmates at the end of your presentation.
4.  Now you’re ready to view your presentation. On the Slide Show menu, click View Show.
5.  Click each slide to move to the next slide.
6.  Press Esc to return to exit Slide Show view.

Convert your PowerPoint file to an HTML file to add to your class Web site on endangered species. If you have a web browser installed, you can view your HTML version of the presentation.

1.  On the File menu, click Save As HTML.
2.  Click Next on each screen of the HTML wizard to accept the standard options.
3.  When asked if you want to save the settings, click the Don’t Save button.
4.  Quit PowerPoint. On the File menu, click Quit.
5.  If you have a web browser, you can view your HTML presentation. Go to the folder where the presentation was saved.
6.  Double-click index.htm. This will open the presentation within your web browser.
7.  Close your web browser. On the File menu, click Quit.