Special Note: There are four articles for students to read during this lesson. Time constraints may be present a challenge to read all four. We suggest that you begin with the two Tampa Bay Time articles and, if time allows, follow-up with the two National Geographic Articles.

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Purpose:

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Students will read informational texts to build on their understanding of the challenges the Florida Scrub Jay faces today but also other threatened and endangered species. Included with the texts is an article that shares the good news of a once endangered species now on the rebound.

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Learning Outcomes:

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• Students will learn the concepts of: endangered, threatened, vulnerable, and Endangered Species Act

• Students will learn the difference between a newspaper article and an editorial; and compare and contrast the two

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Vocabulary:

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• Endangered

• Threatened

• Vulnerable

• Endangered Species Act

• Newspaper Article

• Newspaper Editorial

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Informational Texts:

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• “Threatened Scrub Jay May be Only Four in Hillsborough” by Phillip Morgan

Newspaper Article-Tampa Bay Times

Originally published Friday, December 23, 2016​

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• “Make the Florida Scrub Jay the State Bird” by Mark Pafford

Editorial-Tampa Bay Times

Originally published: Thursday, December 31, 2015​

 

• Article: “Last One”

National Geographic Society Explore

By Verlynn Klinkenborg

Adapted from “Last One,” in , January 2009

Photographs by Joel Sartore

Pages 18-25 here, and text only here.

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• Article: “Right Whales: On the Brink, On the Rebound”

National Geographic Society Explore

By Douglas H. Chadwick

Adapted from “Right Whales: On the Brink, On the Rebound,” in National Geographic, October 2008

Photographs by Brian Skerry

pgs. 26-31, here, and text only here.

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Directions:

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• Project the definitions of newspaper article and newspaper editorial on the board:

 

Newspaper Article

Article sharing information, using facts and data.​

 

Newspaper Editorial

A column or editorial that provides information but told with bias and opinion.

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• Ask students to brainstorm examples of both; it may be helpful to provide a copy of the local paper to students and have them locate examples and share with the class.

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• Explain to students they will read an example of both article and editorial and provide each student with their own copies.

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• Direct students to number the paragraphs on both documents.

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• Begin with the newspaper article, “Threatened Scrub Jay Population May be Only Four in Hillsborough,” and guide students to do the following:          

  • Briefly skim the article.

  • Highlight or box challenging or unfamiliar words or concepts.

  • Read the article.

  • Once this is completed students may add words or concepts to their vocabulary handout.

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• Repeat the same steps with the newspaper editorial, “Make the Florida Scrub Jay the State Bird.”

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• Debrief both by completing a Venn Diagram that compares and contrast information found in both articles.

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• While the teacher is completing the Venn Diagram on the board with student responses, students will follow along and complete their own copy.

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Informal Assessment:

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"In your opinion, based on information provided in the article and editorial, what is the biggest challenge to the survival of the Florida Scrub Jay and why should it be protected?"