Using NewsHour Extra Worksheets

Overview: NewsHour Extra worksheets can help students follow along and identify key points in NewsHour science broadcast pieces.

Warm Up: Introduce the topic of the broadcast piece and find out how much your students know.

Main Activity: Hand out the worksheet and have students answer the questions as they watch the NewsHour segment.

Need a DVD of the science segment?: Write to science@newshour.org.

Story: Biologists Struggle to Save the Spotted Owl , 12/18/07
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/july-dec07/owl_12-18.html

Worksheet Questions: (click here for printout)

1. For how many years has the spotted owl been on the endangered species list? What rules were set by a Clinton administration agreement to try to save the species?

The owls have been on the endangered species list for 17 years. A Clinton administration agreement banned logging in the remaining 7 million acres of Pacific old-growth forest, to try to save the birds' habitat.

2. What species has moved into the spotted owl's habitat in recent years, and why is this a problem?

The barred owl has moved into the spotted owl's habitat, and this is a problem because the barred owl competes with the spotted owl for food and other resources.

3. What do members of the timber industry think about the issue of prohibiting logging in the spotted owl's habitat, and how does the barred owl factor into their argument?

The timber industry believes that logging should be allowed in the forest again--particularly because banning logging hasn't helped the spotted owl as much as hoped, instead barred owls have moved in.

4. Do biologists such as David Wiens think logging should be allowed in the spotted owl's habitat? Why or why not?

Many biologists believe that people created the spotted owl's problems by clear-cutting all but 15 percent of the bird's habitat, and the invasion of the barred owl makes it more important than ever to protect that 15 percent.

5. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's recovery team has become embroiled in a political controversy over its spotted owl recovery plan. Briefly explain the difference between the first and second versions of the recovery plan.

The team's original plan called for setting aside large chunks of habitat, called managed owl conservation areas, for the bird. The second plan focused more on the barred owl threat, and did away with the managed conservation areas. The second plan would allow more logging in the bird's habitat.

For more NewsHour Science Reports, go to www.pbs.org/newshour/science.

For more science lesson plans and worksheets, go to www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/teachers/science.