Teacher Notes
Objectives & Sequence: This lesson is intended to be used as a preview of Grammar - Articles #1.
The following vocabulary words are used in this activity:
Part One: Warm Up
Discuss the following questions with a partner or group:
- What does endangered mean?
- What are some examples of rare or endangered animals?
- What are some reasons that animals become endangered?
Part Two: Reading
Match the pictures with the text (A, B, C, D):
A
Gray wolves are the largest species of wolf in the world. They can be found in Europe, Asia, and North America. Gray Wolves usually eat large animals like deer or sheep. They are very intelligent, and they work together to hunt and take care of their babies. Gray wolves are often hunted by farmers because they sometimes kill farm animals. The farmers are trying to protect their animals, but too many wolves are being killed.
B
Macaws are large birds with colourful feathers and long tails. They live in forests in South and Central America and Mexico. There are many different kinds of macaws that are different sizes and colours. Macaws usually eat fruit, seeds and nuts, but some of them also eat dirt! The biggest danger to macaws is people catching them to buy and sell. They are very popular as pets, but there are not enough wild macaws left. People should leave them alone.
C
Manatees are large animals that breathe air, but live in the ocean. They are very big! Manatees can be up to 4 metres long and weigh over 590 kilograms! Manatees don’t like cold water, so they live in South America and West Africa. Manatees only eat plants, so they love all kinds of seaweed and other plants that grow under the water. Because they are so big, Manatees must eat for 6 to 8 hours every day! Manatees are slow, so they are often hit by boats. Boats are the biggest danger to manatees.
D
Snow Leopards are large cats which live in Central Asia and the Himalayas. They are famous for their thick fur, long tails, and powerful legs. Snow Leopards are very good jumpers and can jump as far as 15 metres! Like other big cats, Snow Leopards are hunters. They usually eat large animals like sheep and goats, but sometimes they eat smaller animals. Snow Leopards don’t have enough space to live or enough food to eat anymore. Right now there are only around 5000 left in the wild.
Part Three: Reading
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.