Canadian Museum of Nature
Canadian Museum of Nature: Natural History Notebooks
This site from the Canadian Museum of Nature, a natural history museum, provides short information blurbs and fun facts on over 240 different common animals categorized by type (mammals, fish, reptiles, invertebrates, amphibians,...
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canadian Museum of Nature: Crested Ibis
The crested ibis was barely saved from extinction in Asia after the last seven known to be alive were put into a protective sanctuary in China. The population has increased and many have been released back into the wild but it is still...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Endangered Species
The topic of endangered species is one that needs to be addressed with every student. As more and more plants and animals become extinct, students, as inhabitants of this ecosystem, need to be aware that human actions affect the planet....
University of California
Ucmp: Life Has a History
This is a very good introduction to the role evolution plays in the development of biodiversity. These topics and extinction are explained with the use of colorful interactive pictures.
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: How Disruptions Affect Animal Populations
Learners explore the effects that ecosystem disruptions can have on animal populations. They learn about the disruptions that have driven three species-the Madagascar fish eagle, the Iberian lynx, and the rowi kiwi, to the brink of...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Life Science: Habitat Destruction
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] From a human point of view, a habitat is where you live, go to school, and go to have fun. Your habitat can be altered, and you can easily adapt. Most people live in...
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Blue Whale Sighting Thrills Researchers
National Public Radio reports on the blue whale, which has been on the endangered species list for almost 40 years. Find out why a recent siting off the coast of Alaska has given researchers some cause for optimism.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canadian Museum of Nature: Carolina Parakeet
The Carolina parakeet was once found in the southern United States but is now extinct. The reasons are explained here and you can see a drawing of this lost bird.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canadian Museum of Nature: Great Auk
A profile of the extinct Great Auk is provided here by the Canadian Museum of Nature.
Canadian Museum of Nature
Canadian Museum of Nature: Dodo
The Dodo became extinct shortly after 1640 and all that remains of them today are bones and some pieces of skin. Provided is a brief description of their location, characteristics and predators.
California State University
Cardboard Tree and Endangered Animals Lesson
Two short art lessons in one that introduce young learners to the idea of extinct animals and habitats. Each student will be creating and painting a habitat and assembling an owl. This could be adaptable to use the extinct animal of your...
Read Works
Read Works: Saving Hawaiian Monk Seals
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the decreasing population of the Hawaiian monk seals. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Museums Victoria
Museum Victoria: Wild: Thylacine (Thylacinus Cynocephalus)
Information about Thylacines, also known as Tasmanian Tigers. They became extinct after 100 years of Europeans settling in Tasmania.
BBC
Bbc News: 'Frozen Ark' to Save Animal Dna
This article describes a British project to store frozen samples of DNA from endangered species. The goal is to preserve genetic information, should a species go extinct.
Bagheera
Bagheera: Short Tailed Albatross
This site highlights the short-tailed albatross as a vanishing species. Content includes a focus on its habitat, history, causes of endangerment, and current conservation actions designed to help save it from extinction.
University of Oxford (UK)
The Learning Zone: Animals
Learn all about the study of animals--zoology through this interactive website. You will learn about the processes that make animals alive, what makes them endangered or extinct, and the tree of life.
Read Works
Read Works: Back From the Brink
[Free Registration/Login Required] This nonfiction passage gives information about animals that are on the brink of extinction, including the following: bald eagle, grizzly bears, Hawaiian sea turtles, and Southern sea turtles. This...
McGraw Hill
Glencoe Biology: Threats to Biodiversity: Self Check Quiz
Try these five self-checking quiz questions over the threats to the loss of biodiversity on Earth.
World Wildlife Fund for Nature
World Wildlife Foundation: Giant Panda
This resource provides a general overview of the Giant Panda.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Glossary: Harnessing Sci and Educ for Biodiversity Conservation
All of the following terms relate to the topic of harnessing science and education for biodiversity conservation.
Curated OER
Ny Times Lesson Plan: Answering the Call of the Wild
In this New York Times lesson plan, students explore wildlife conservation by investigating the reintroduction of species into their natural habitats and researching a species nearing extinction. Studens then defend the protection of the...
American Institute of Biological Sciences
Action Bioscience: Speciation and Biodiversity
As many species are going extinct due to healthy habitats being destroyed humans are depleting the world of its natural resources. Understand the repercussions of environmental destruction on species and biodiversity through this interview.
PBS
Pbs: Nature: Frogs: The Thin Green Line
PBS documentary explores threats to the continuing survival of frogs at locations around the world owing to habitat loss, pollution, and a fungus called chytrid now known to be responsible for killing large numbers of amphibians. [50:31]
University of California
Ucmp: Island Biogeography and Evolution
This is a lesson designed by a biology teacher. In it, students use maps and evidence of island age, molecular genetics, morphology, and distance apart to determine how the islands came to be occupied by different species of lizards. It...