Activity: Endangered Species Furniture Project, by Andrew Feeney

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Overview

This project integrates art and science while reinforcing ecology. Students will research an endangered species from a specific biome, create an informational sign, and paint a piece of artwork representing the animal. The students will use an old piece of furniture and paint it to represent their endangered species and its habitat. They will also create an informational sign that explains why the animal is endangered and why it needs to be protected. The finished furniture will be auctioned off, with the proceeds donated to charity.

Purpose and learning goals

Students will:

• Learn about endangered species and what needs to be done to protect these species
• Understand the importance of protecting endangered species
• Learn to do research and take notes
• Learn to write a bibliography
• Learn to write an informational sign
• Use artistic skills to create an accurate painting of their endangered

Prerequisite knowledge

Students should have a background in basic ecology. They should know and understand habitats, predator-prey interactions, and adaptations.

Intended grade level

6 - 8

Time involved

6 weeks

Alignment to standards and benchmarks (for entire unit)

Colorado State Science Standards:

• 3.1 Students know and understand the characteristics of living things, the diversity of life, and how living things interact with each other in their environment.
• 5. Students know and understand interrelationships among science, technology, and human activity and how they can affect the world.

Materials (per student group of 2 - 3)

• Old furniture - 1 piece for each group of 3 students
• Paint brushes - a variety of sizes
• Sand paper
• Primer
• Acrylic paints - a variety of colors
• Smocks
• Tarps
• Carbon paper
• Masking tape

Preparation

Furniture must be collected well in advance for this project to be successful. Encourage students to ask family and neighbors if they have an unwanted/broken furniture. The room should be clear of desks and the tarps should be spread out and duct taped to the floor.

Student sheets/guides

Guided note-taking sheets

Procedure for students

• Choose a biome at random
• Choose an endangered animal or plant from their biome
• Research their endangered species and its habitat and find a color picture
• Create an informational sign about their endangered species
• Pick a piece of furniture to paint
• Prepare the furniture (sand and primer coat)
• Draw a plan for the painting
• Paint the background colors using the color photograph for reference
• Add detail to background
• Draw or trace the endangered species on their furniture
• Paint their endangered species
• Add a clear coat to their furniture after the painting is complete
• Attach the informational sign to the finished furniture
• Present the final product to the class

Reflecting on the activity/ideas for assessment

This activity takes a lot of time and patience, but is well worth it. Great care must be taken every day to ensure that your room and the supplies stay clean.

Key questions that may be asked with 'Look fors'

During the research, students should look for the following:

• Where does your animal live?
• What is its habitat?
• What are some of its predators and prey?
• What are some adaptations that it makes to survive in its habitat?
• What are some interesting facts about the animal?
• Why is the species endangered?
• What can be done to protect the species?

Extensions and applications

A trip to the local zoo to see the animals first-hand could be an effective “kick-off” to the unit. Also, getting the class involved with adopting an animal through various organizations dealing with threatened or endangered species and donating money from the sale of furniture to that organization.

Adaptations for special needs

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