Save an animal board game - Impact of Human Activity or Natural Disasters

This lesson includes reading a picture book, group brainstorming, and game play. The board game demonstrates the effects of natural disaster, human activity, and positive weather conditions on the survival of animals. Materials for this lesson include the picture book Brother Eagle, Sister Sky by Susan Jeffers and and a game board set for each small group. The game board and cards require some preparation time. Consider using parent volunteers to make these materials.

Standards & Objectives

Academic standards
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.2.4
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7
Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where,...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.2.7
Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RL.3.7
Explain how specific aspects of a text's illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.1
Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.3
Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional information, or deepen understanding of a...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.2.4
Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.3
Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.1
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and...
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.5
With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.6
With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate...
GLE 0201.1.2
Employ a variety of strategies to decode words and expand vocabulary.
GLE 0201.2.1
Develop critical listening skills essential for comprehension, problem solving, and task completion.
GLE 0201.2.2
Develop critical speaking skills essential for effective communication.
GLE 0201.3.4
Revise first drafts for clearer meaning, correct capitalization, and punctuation.
GLE 0201.8.2
Employ a variety of basic reading comprehension strategies.
GLE 0201.8.3
Develop reading fluency and accuracy.
GLE 0301.2.1
Continue to develop basic listening skills necessary for communication.
GLE 0301.2.2
Continue to develop basic speaking skills necessary for communication.
GLE 0401.2.1
Continue to develop oral language skills necessary for communication.
GLE 0401.2.2
Continue to develop listening skills necessary for communication.
GLE 0507.2.3
Establish the connections between human activities and natural disasters and their impact on the environment.
SPI 0301.6.4
Locate information using available text features (e.g., charts, maps, graphics).
SPI 0401.6.6
Use available text features (e.g., graphics and illustrations) to make meaning from text.
TSS.ELA.2.FL.F.5
Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
TSS.ELA.2.RI.IKI.8
Describe how reasons support specific points an author makes in a text.
TSS.ELA.2.RI.KID.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
TSS.ELA.2.RL.KID.1
Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text.
TSS.ELA.2.SL.CC.1
Participate with varied peers and adults in collaborative conversations in small or large groups about appropriate 2nd grade topics and texts.
TSS.ELA.2.SL.CC.3
Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to gather information or clarify something that is not understood.
TSS.ELA.2.SL.PKI.4
Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences.
TSS.ELA.2.W.PDW.5
With guidance and support from adults, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from peers, and strengthen writing as needed by revising and...
TSS.ELA.2.W.RBPK.7
Participate in shared research and writing projects, such exploring a number of books on a single topic or engaging in science experiments to produce a report.
TSS.ELA.3.RI.IKI.7
Use information gained from illustrations and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of a text.
TSS.ELA.3.RI.IKI.8
Explain how reasons support specific points an author makes in a text.
TSS.ELA.3.RL.IKI.7
Explain how illustrations in a text contribute to what is conveyed by the words.
TSS.ELA.3.SL.CC.1
Prepare for collaborative discussions on 3rd grade level topics and texts; engage effectively with varied partners, building on others' ideas and expressing...
TSS.ELA.3.SL.CC.3
Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.
TSS.ELA.3.W.PDW.6
With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing, as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate...
TSS.ELA.4.SL.CC.1
Prepare for collaborative discussions on 4th grade level topics and texts; engage effectively with varied partners, building on others' ideas and expressing...
 
Alignment of this item to academic standards is based on recommendations from content creators, resource curators, and visitors to this website. It is the responsibility of each educator to verify that the materials are appropriate for your content area, aligned to current academic standards, and will be beneficial to your specific students.
 
Learning objectives: 

Learning Goals:

  • Students will list possible ways that human actions could have a positive impact on animal survival.
  • Students will list possible ways that weather or other natural disasters might impact animal survival.

Key concepts:

  • Humans can make a positive or negative impact on animal survival.
  • Weather or natural disasters can have a huge impact on animal survival.

Lesson Variations

Blooms taxonomy level: 
Understanding

Helpful Hints

Materials:

  • Picture book "Brother Eagle, Sister Sky" by Susan Jeffers

Materials for each small group:

  • Paper and pencil for small group brainstorming
  • 4 sets of three animal markers - use small discs labeled with the animals' names
  • One die
  • Prepare playing cards: 21 red cards, 19 blue cards, and 30 green cards
  • Enlarged and colored game board shown below (see attachment)
  • 21 red cards: these represent major events that can help (advance), endanger (move back), protect (stay in the same place), miss a turn, and make an animal extinct (remove from board).

References

Contributors: