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Description
What could the imaginary creatures Zorgan or Crested Crabbit possibly have in common? These two species are considered “at risk” due to very specific biological requirements. With the number of endangered species increasing globally it is important to consider how human influences on the environment affect plants and animals that are adapted to particular ecological niches.
This engaging activity introduces students to the concept of species resiliency as they analyze the ecology of real and make-believe animals. Learners will identify how risks like low reproductive rates affect adaptability and how humans can help reduce environmental impacts on vulnerable species by choosing to live sustainably.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This resource supports Grade 3-8 Science units that explore animal and plant life, ecosystems, endangered species and human impacts on habitats. Students also learn how species are categorized as at-risk, endangered or extinct. Discussions regarding the ecological role of producers and consumers can extend from the learning experience and food web concepts can be linked to environmental issues like bio-accumulation.
Living sustainably is important in conserving biodiversity and this theme could be the focus of a student action project in which a class creates a public education campaign to increase awareness of how to reduce your ecological footprint. The school could become a community model for sustainable living with simple projects such as reducing cafeteria food waste, implementing a reusable water bottle policy and creating a “no-idle” zone.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- Grade 4
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Exploring connections strengthens our understandings of relationships to help us make meaning of the world.
- Grade 5
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Wetland Ecosystems
- Grade 6
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Systems: Understandings of the living world, Earth, and space are deepened through investigating natural systems and their interactions
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Our Local Environment : :Scientific Literacy
- Our Local Environment : Learning and Living Sustainably
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Wayfinding: Making sense of your world: Learning and Living Sustainably
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Habitats
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Diversity of Life
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interaction of Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Water Systems on Earth's Surface
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats & Communities
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions and Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Freshwater and Saltwater Systems
- Interactions in Our Environment
- Ontario
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Habitats and Communities
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Biodiversity
- Grade 7
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- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Life Systems: Interactions in the Environment
- Grade 8
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- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Earth and Space Systems: Water Systems
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Habitats
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Diversity of Life
- Grade 7
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Interactions Within Ecosystems
- Grade 8
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- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Water Systems on Earth
- Quebec
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
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- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 4
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- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Living Things
- Grade 5
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- Science & Technology
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- Living Things
- Grade 6
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- Science & Technology
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- Living Things
- Grade 7
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- Science & Technology
- Step 4Relevant matches
- The Living World
- Grade 8
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- Science & Technology
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- The Living World
- Saskatchewan
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Habitats and Communities
- Grade 6
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 6: Life Science: Diversity of Living Things
- Grade 7
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 7: Life Science: Interactions within Ecosystems
- Grade 8
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 8: Water Systems on Earth
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Science
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Science 4: All living things sense and respond to their environment
Themes Addressed
Ecosystems (3)
- Biodiversity
- Endangered Species
- Habitat Loss
