This document outlines a lesson plan about threats to biodiversity in Africa, focusing on poaching. It includes directions for students to watch documentaries about endangered black rhinos, elephants, and northern white rhinos. Students are asked to take notes on poaching and its consequences. They also research an individual endangered African animal and present on it. The lesson emphasizes that endangered species should be protected to maintain healthy ecosystems and biodiversity, and suggests ways individuals can help endangered wildlife conservation efforts.

1. Describe 2 things you learned
from Ms. Haines’ special
presentation!
Entry Task:

2. Objective:
•The students will be able to explore
African wildlife and examine the
threats to biodiversity.

3. Review:
What are the
major threats
to biodiversity
in Africa?

9. Interactive Notebook:
•Date =
•Title = Poaching
•Page # =

10. Poaching:
•What is poaching?
•Why is this act a threat to biodiversity
in Africa?

11. Why is this happening?

12. Poaching in Africa:
• Black Rhinos
• African Elephants
• Northern White Rhinos
• We are going to watch a short documentary about each of these animals.
• Please take notes in your I.N.

13. Black Rhinos:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNExCirJ98k

14. Elephants:
• The National Geographic Television film Battle for the Elephants
explores the rapid destruction of African elephants, fueled by the
growing trade in illegal ivory. This clip from the film follows the path
of poached ivory from the port of Mombasa, Kenya, to the ivory
carvers and luxury ivory shops in China.
• Read “Background Info” and “Questions” on National Geographic
website.
• http://education.nationalgeographic.org/media/trafficking-poached-ivory/

15. Northern White Rhinos:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5VD3D_gRXs
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nlf3XTjzd4
• Source = Emirates Magazine
• Article – The Last of the Northern White Rhinos

16. What are the consequences
of poaching?
5 Minute Power Write!

17. Part 2 – Lesson 11

18. Entry Task:
•What is the difference between a threatened
species, endangered species and extinct
species?

19. • Endangered species are those plants and animals that
are so rare they are in danger of becoming extinct.
Threatened species are plants and animals whose
numbers are very low or decreasing rapidly.
Threatened species are not endangered yet, but are
likely to become endangered in the future.

20. Consequences of poaching:
• Endangered Animals
• Extinction
• Loss of biodiversity
• Any other consequences?

21. Endangered Animals:
•What animals in Africa are
endangered?

22. Endangered Animals Project:
1.) Select an endangered animal that lives in Africa.
2.) Choose to work individually, in partner or a group of 3.
3.) Begin researching information about your endangered animal.
4.) Complete Endangered Animal handout. We will present the
information about our animals in class. Teach each other!
*Be sure to use RELIABLE sources. I have posted many
RELIABLE sources on the Google Classroom!

23. Endangered Animals in Africa:
• Northern White
Rhino
• Black Rhino
• Eastern Lowland
Gorilla
• Mountain Gorilla
• Chimpanzees
• Rothschild Giraffe
• African Wild Dog
• Riverine Rabbit
• Ethiopian Wolf
• Grey’s Zebra
• African Penguin
• Ring-Tailed Lemur
• African Elephant

24. PART 3 – Lesson 12

25. Entry Task:
•Why should we protect
endangered species?

26. Why should we protect
endangered species?
• Saving species preserves ecosystems: species are an
important part of what make up ecosystems;
maintaining healthy ecosystems ensures a healthy planet.
• Circle of life!
• Biodiversity!

27. As a human being, how do you
think or feel about this
ongoing global and potentially
disastrous problem?

28. How can you as an
individual help this cause?

29. • Support nature centers, nature reserves, or botanical gardens;
volunteer money, time, and ideas.
• Avoid buying ivory, snakeskin belts, alligator boots, and other
products made from endangered animals.
• Keep learning about plants and animals; share what you've
learned with others! Knowledge is power!
How can you as an individual
help this cause?

30. Final Gallery Walk:
• Reflect on your learning about African Wildlife,
specifically endangered animals.
• What do you know about this animal?
• What is threatening the survival of this species?
• What questions do you still have?