UKS2: Africa
Theme 2: Land of Diversity
Session 5: Endangered Species
Geography/Science
Range and Breadth Geo: 7b Study a range of places & environments in different parts
Session 5a: Protect the Animals
Geography/Science
Range and Breadth Geo: 7b Study a range of places & environments in different parts
of the world. Sci: 1c Use a range of sources of info, including ICT-based sources.
of the world. Sci: 1c Use a range of sources of info, including ICT-based sources.
PoS
Geography: Knowledge and understanding of places
Objectives
[Main]
PoS
Geography: Knowledge and understanding of places
Begin to see the effects humans have on different environments.
Objectives
Begin to identify ways we can influence how environments are maintained.
PoS
Science: Sc2 Life processes and living things
PoS
Science: Sc2 Life processes and living things
Objectives
Understand what may cause animals and their environments to become
endangered. 5a Know that living things/environment need protection.
5b Know that different plants/animals are found in different habitats.
Objectives
Begin to identify ways in which species can be protected. 5a Know about
3e Identify how and why places change and how they may change in the
future. 5a Recognise how people can damage the environment. 5b Recognise
how and why people may seek to manage environments in a sustainable way.
[Main]
3e Identify how and why places change and how they may change in the
future. 5a Recognise how people can improve the environment. 5b Recognise
how and why people may seek to manage environments sustainably.
ways in which living things and the environment need protection. 5b Know that
different plants and animals are found in different habitats.
Whole class teaching
Whole class teaching
Discuss how many of the animals we are studying for our booklets are endangered. What
does endangered mean? Threatened with extinction. Today we will look at the rhino.
Rhinos have inhabited the Earth for 60 million years. Today there are only 5 species left:
3 in Asia, 2 in Africa; all 5 species are close to extinction. During the 1970s half the
world's rhino population disappeared. Today, less than 15 per cent of the 1970 population
remains; an estimated 10,000 to 11,000 worldwide. The black rhino is the most
endangered species. In 1970 an estimated 65,000 black rhinos could be found throughout
sub-Saharan Africa. But in eastern Africa, 90 percent of them were killed. Now fewer
than 2,500 are left, in pockets in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Namibia & Tanzania.
Talk about how and why species might be so endangered – list chn’s suggestions on f/c.
Humans are responsible for the endangerment and extinction of hundreds of species
throughout Africa & across the world. Hunting is one cause. Discuss why we hunt animals:
for food/other product, sport, because we consider them a threat, etc. The rhino has
traditionally been hunted for its horn. Crucially we are responsible for mass habitat
destruction. As human population grows, more land is needed for cities and farmland to
grow food. Also, with climate change, habitats are being destroyed through changes in
weather. Discuss some of these ideas.
Talk about some of the facts chn found out – are any of their species on the endangered
list? Remind chn of how we all looked at the chameleon together.
Some of chameleons in Madagascar are very rare, e.g. the chamaeleo belalandaensis, found
in the south west. This chameleon’s natural habitat has now been almost completely
cleared due to deforestation. The species has already been collected for the pet trade,
and the impact on the population is not known. Very localised distribution, combined with
apparently tiny surviving populations, suggest that this species is vulnerable to extinction.
It is important that chn understand that while we (humans) are responsible for
endangerment and extinction of so many species, we are also trying to study and protect
animals. Show chn www.worldwildlife.org this is an organisation involved in the protection
of wildlife. Explain that the African elephant is also endangered. Discuss how elephants
are a problem to the farmers, who need to farm for a living to feed their families, but now
there is a sensible solution that does not harm the elephants: chilli is used to discourage
elephants! Visit http://gowild.wwf.org.uk/gowild/tenalpreports/elephantconservation/ and
watch the slide show. Discuss with chn their ideas on conserving habitats and protecting
endangered species. Look at the things we can do
http://gowild.wwf.org.uk/gowild/helpout/greentips.asp.
Easy/Medium/Hard Chn write pages in their animal booklets about endangerment,
Easy/Medium/Hard
using internet to find out how endangered their animal is (numbers remaining) and
threats/causes. If chn have chosen an animal that appears to be safe, it may be that
people have intervened, its habitat is not threatened or that species has adapted.
Discuss causes of endangerment in more detail, in particular habitat
Plenary
destruction – begin to discuss what we can do.
Chn work on completing their booklets. If appropriate they add detailed information about
how their animal may be best protected. Their booklets should have good covers with a
picture/photo of chosen animal, and also really carefully designed (title and author), etc.
Plenary Chn share booklets in 2s, then in small groups say something they like about
another person’s booklet and an area where they could have improved it.
© Hamilton Trust 2009. This activity may be adapted for use by a teacher in his/her own class. It may not be reproduced for any other purpose.
UKS2 – AF – S5_5a - Land of Diversity