Threatened Species and Public Policy

Grade Level: 6-8

Summary: In this series of lessons, students will learn about the Endangered Species Act and how it can impact people in our society. They will also learn about the life of an endangered sea turtle and about the efforts to keep it from becoming extinct. Finally, students will examine their values with questions about how much they think should be devoted to preserving species.

View the Lesson Plans for this Unit
View the Content Standards

Download Related Documents:
Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle Graph

Activity 1:
The Endangered Species Act
Students are introduced to the Endangered Species Act and discuss its impact on people and the environment.

Related Links:
Text of Endangered Species Act

Featured video clips in this activity:

The Endangered Species Act The United States adopted the Endangered Species Act to preserve biodiversity, but often there are disputes as to how this act should be implemented.

Activity 2:

Endangered Sea Turtles
Students examine why sea turtles are endangered and the efforts that are being made to protect them.

Related Links:
Sea Turtles: Behavior Patterns

Featured video clips in this activity:

Protecting the Sea Turtles of Baja Protecting the turtles in Baja's Magdalena Bay is a challege since they are used by the local people as a food source.

Activity 3:

The Value of Protecting Species
Students analyze the numerical results of conservation of the Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle and examine their values with regards to protecting species.

Featured video clips in this activity:

The Kemps Ridley Sea Turtle Fifteen years ago, the State of Texas began a project to help the Kemps Ridley sea turtle find safe nesting ground - and it has just begun to be successful.

Value of an Endangered Species Exploring the tunnel of a Red Hills salamander reveals a complex structure; however, many mysteries about this newly-discovered creature still remain.