Chapter Four
— Words to Know —Read the story, then re-read it, circling the following words:
snag Have you used any of these words before? How many? Did you learn any new words? — Newspaper Activities —1. To learn more about animals that are endangered or threatened, or whose numbers are dwindling, use the TV listing in your newspaper and find animal programs to watch. Take notes during the show and share your findings with family or classmates. 2. Katie gets a pair of binoculars to help her on her quest. From the display ads and classified ads in your newspaper, cut pictures and descriptions of products and services that would also be helpful to her. Write a sentence about how Katie could use each, and send your list to nie@nieworld.com for possible publication on the web. |
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— Links —
The New Environmentalist
The New Environmentalist is an online magazine and website designed to educate
and support average people as they work to reduce resource waste, saving them money while improving the quality of our environment.
How Birds Migrate
Why are observers in temperate climates so fascinated by bird migration?
Wisconsin
Learn about the wide range of bioscience innovators, opportunities for technology transfer, the critical mass needed to grow a successful bioscience company and the rich quality of life that makes Wisconsin a "Core of Discovery".
Birding Binoculars And How They Work
To make the best choice you also need a basic understanding of how binoculars work, so that you won't be confused by the technical data. Knowledge is the compass that lets you navigate the informational sea.
— In the News —
Traffic savior or environmental nightmare?
Florida black bears, sandhill cranes and snowy egrets roam a green area of Volusia County undisturbed -- so far -- by bulldozers. But listen closely. Hear that distant rumbling?
Development blamed for birds' plightThree Florida species have the dubious honor of making the National Audubon Society's 10 most endangered birds list -- and one of them, the Florida scrub jay, is still labeled by state and federal agencies as "threatened."
Building upon success
Though the importance of saving species seems lost on this generation of conservative lawmakers and their industry-hugging president, it was deeply appreciated 32 years ago when Congress overwhelmingly passed the Endangered Species Act and President Nixon signed it with flourish.
Bugs and Backyard Butterflies
Although many insects can be helpful to humans and other animals, there are many that can be major pests as well. They not only annoy us on a personal level, causing discomfort with their bites or stings, but they also affect our environment in significant ways.
Dancing with cranes earns scientist $100,000 prize
When Mr. Archibald and Cornell colleague Ron Sauey founded the International Crane Foundation, many of the world’s 15 species of cranes were teetering on the brink of extinction. Thanks to the foundation’s efforts at raising cranes in captivity before returning them to the wild, as well as preserving wetland habitats and migration flyways, many of those species have made significant turnarounds.
— Elementary Science Tie-ins —
1. What different physical states of matter are observable in the title illustration? What state is not observable but is implied? How would the sun change these states? (SC.A.1.2.2)
2. Keep a record of examples of ways that technology has improved the lives of the characters and animals in the story. (SC.H.3.2.1)
3. Are there any examples in the story of how a solution to one scientific problem can create another? (SC.H.3.2.3)
4. At the end of each chapter write down what you predict will happen in the next chapter. (SC.H.3.2.4) (SC.H.2.2.1)
5. How might changes in the environment affect the living things in the story? (SC.B.1.2.1), (SC.G.1.2.2)
6. Keep a list of the forms of energy found in the story, and its illustrations, and group them by category. (SC.B.1.2.2)
7. Keep a record of the segments of the food chains that are included in the story. Make charts showing the merges and flow of energy. (SC.B.1.2.1)
8. Keep a list of the scientific problems that emerge as the story progresses. (SC.H.1.2.4)
9. What changes occurred in the wild animals and humans? What natural patterns were those changes a part of? (SC.H.2.2.1)
10. As the story progresses construct a model of the setting for the story. Include as many of the natural features as possible. Add to it as the story progresses. (SC.H.1.2.5)
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Now is your chance to ask Marian Tomblin, the author of Endangered!, questions about: the story, the writing process, her other projects and interest, etc. Before you do, click here to see what others have asked and how she answered their questions. Just click here and ask away. Check back often for her answers here.
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