U.S. and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species Interactive Map

Free!

The U.S. and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species interactive map allows users to select a state or territory from the map to learn about the endangered animals located in that area. After clicking a state, the website will load the “Featured Species” section that provides information about endangered animals in the state, and users can scroll through them using the “Previous” and “Next” buttons. In addition, the “Partnership Stories” provide information about what is being done in the states to preserve the endangered animals and environment. In addition, users can enter a name or type of an animal into the search box at the top of the website to access information about that animal.

Instructional Ideas

1. Teachers can assign students a state and have them identify the animals that are considered endangered there using this website. For each animal they identify, students can record the name of the animal, its natural habitat, threats to it, and actions that can help it. Students can then create an infographic to display this information and share their work by posting it to a class website for other students to see.
2. As a class project, teachers can have students use this website to look up animals that are endangered in their state. Next, they can read about the partnerships that are happening in their state to protect these animals. With this information, the class can decide on a project to support.
3. When looking up information about animals, students can search this website for information. Students can then record that information, use it in a report, or create a graphic related to it. To add a twist to this assignment, teachers can have students look up 5, 10, 15, or more different animals that are similar (e.g., birds, fish, mammals, marsupials, etc.) using this website and summarize key information about them to create an annotated bibliography of sorts. Students can then share their work in small groups, so other students can learn about the different animals.
4. Teachers can give students a graphic organizer with different classifications for animals (e.g., kingdoms, phylum, classes, orders, etc.) and have students use this website as a resource for completing it.

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