Scientific Encounters of the Endangered Kind. Reading Activities That Explore Nature's Endangered Species. Grades 4-7.

Many forms of wildlife are being threatened by changing ecological conditions, pollution, pesticides, human carelessness, and conditions. Efforts are being made to preserve endangered wildlife species. This document provides a partial listing of endangered and threatened species of mammals, birds, and reptiles in North America and its nearby oceans. Short articles about many of these animals are presented to students as reading exercises. This information is intended to provide students with a better understanding of the plight each animal faces and what is being done to help each species avoid extinction. Each reading selection is followed by a skills check to determine the student's comprehension of the main ideas, details, vocabulary, and dictionary skills. A related activity page also accompanies each selection. These include puzzles, games, trivia questions, and other individual activities. Information on the Endangered Species Act of 1973 is included, along with an answer key to all of the skills checks and activities. (TW)