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Explore a rollercoaster around the most charismatic extinct species, investigate the causes and what we can do to stop the biodiversity crisis.
Welcome to this Minecraft: Education Edition lesson! Before you begin, take a few moments to let us know your thoughts or feedback on how we can improve this lesson in order to better enhance the learning experience that is delivered in your classroom!
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Click and watch this teacher preparation video to help you understand how to teach this lesson. Here is a YouTube link of the teacher video for your reference: https://youtu.be/aseSZXyKAMc
Start Here: Teacher Preparation Video
Students learn about species extinction and loss of biodiversity
Students develop an understanding of past and current causes of extinction
Students understand we are experiencing an increased extinction rate and ‘a biodiversity crisis’
Citizenship
Communication
Critical Thinking
This project was developed in partnership with World Wildlife Fund. Explore an exciting new Minecraft world created by Naturebytes as well as three new lessons designed to help you teach about biodiversity and its importance to our planet's past and future. Introductory questions:
How does a species become extinct?
What are the major influences on species extinction?
What are the characteristics of species that have gone extinct?
How does the current rate of extinction compare to the past?
What can we learn from past extinction and how does this relate to our world now and in the future?
Introduce students to the lesson with the following:
‘Welcome to the Extinction! Safari - a rollercoaster through extinction history. You are now about to witness some of the most charismatic species that have lived alongside humans but are no longer roaming the Earth. It was recently revealed that the Earth is experiencing a ‘biodiversity crisis’ - speak to biodiversity expert Prof. Andy to find out your challenge and start your adventure.’
Ask students to meet Prof. Andy, add a minecart to their inventory and jump on to the minecart on the track. They can take their own individual journey on their own time or you can lead them and discuss each species at the individual platforms. Note: if students fall off the rollercoaster they can climb up platform ladders. Ask students to study each of the extinct species, exploring the displays and speaking to the scientists at each species. Students should take notes on what they learn and observe at each of the species. Students can use the in-game minecraft ‘camera,’ ‘portfolio,’ and ‘book & quill’ to record the information, making sure to include the following aspects of each species:
Their key physical features
When they went extinct
The reasons why they think they went extinct
Are they similar to any species alive today and if so how?
Are the risks experienced by animals today similar to this species and have they changed?
Once students have taken notes and photos, ask them to move on to the next species.
The ‘Extinction! Rollercoaster Safari Teacher Guide’ (found in Supporting Files) will assist you with information on all of the extinct species featured.
Once students have reached the end of the rollercoaster, ask them to review their notes and discuss:
What kind of species have gone extinct and what are the common themes?
What can we learn from past extinctions and is species extinction still an issue today?
How might extinction and the biodiversity crisis affect you personally?
Ask the students to think about who is responsible for the extinction and who and how should do something about it? How can you reduce your impact on the biodiversity crisis? (e.g., be greener, more sustainable).
This lesson will enable students to:
Demonstrate an enthusiasm for understanding wildlife and biodiversity
Have attention to detail when observing behavioural and physical aspects of species
Attention to detail when using a blend of information sources: text, video, infographics.
Interact with NPC’s and external sources of information
Display a sense of empathy for extinct species
- Wild Classroom - Biodiversity Kit: The activities in the biodiversity toolkit provide students with an understanding of the importance of nature and how all living things are connected.
- Prof. Any Purvis Extinction! Safari Challenge Video: Lesson introduction by Professor Andy Purvis.
Check out the Tips & Tricks video playlist that will help you and your students better use Minecraft: Education Edition in the classroom:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkh9rrdH-ARER03ojhFYtmoFDVuACYJLa
More videos added periodically so make sure you check often for more content!
Click and watch the student pause and play video with your class, pausing and playing as needed. This will help your students understand how to navigate through this lesson and Minecraft world and complete the activities located within them. Enjoy!
Check out the YouTube link for your reference: https://youtu.be/VG1IP3RFjKY
Student Pause & Play Video
Identify needs and opportunities for designing, through exploration
Generate ideas from their experiences and interests
Add to others’ ideas
Choose an idea to pursue.
Making
Choose tools and materials
Make a product using known procedures or through modelling of others
Use trial and error to make changes, solve problems, or incorporate new ideas from self or others
Sharing
Decide on how and with whom to share their product
Demonstrate their product, tell the story of designing and making their product, and explain how their product contributes to the individual, family, community, and/or environment
Use personal preferences to evaluate the success of their design solutions
Reflect on their ability to work effectively both as individuals and collaboratively in a group
Use materials, tools, and technologies in a safe manner in both physical and digital environments
Develop their skills and add new ones through play and collaborative work
Explore the use of simple, available tools and technologies to extend their capabilities
Curricular Competencies
Develop mental math strategies and abilities to make sense of quantities
Use technology to explore mathematics
Understanding and solving
Develop, demonstrate, and apply mathematical understanding through play, inquiry, and problem solving
Content
Students are expected to know the following:
Big Ideas
Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
• What is biodiversity?
• Why is biodiversity important in an ecosystem?
• Interconnectedness means that all things are related to and interact with each other in the environment.
Big Ideas
Earth and its climate have changed over geological time. • How and why have Earth and its climate changed over time? • How do people and their practices impact Earth and its climate?
Animal life cycles
8. Identify examples of environmental conditions that may threaten animal survival, and identify examples of extinct animals.
Understanding Life Systems
1.2 identify reasons for the depletion or extinction of a plant or animal species (e.g., hunting, disease, invasive species, changes in or destruction of its habitat), evaluate the impacts on the rest of the natural community, and propose possible actions for preventing such depletions or extinctions from happening
Overall
1. assess human impacts on biodiversity, and identify ways of preserving biodiversity;
3. demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity, its contributions to the stability of natural systems, and its benefits to humans.
1.1 analyze a local issue related to biodiversity
1.2 assess the benefits that human societies derive from biodiversity
3.2 demonstrate an understanding of biodiversity as the variety of life on earth, including variety within each species of plant and animal, among species of plants and animals in communities, and among communities and the physical landscapes that support them
Life Science – Habitats and Communities
(HC) HC4.1 Investigate the interdependence of plants and animals, including humans, within habitats and communities.
HC4.3 Assess the effects of natural and human activities on habitats and communities, and propose actions to maintain or restore habitats.
Cluster 1
4-1-02 Recognize that each plant and animal depends on a specific habitat to meet its needs. GLO: D2
4-1-03 Identify the components of an animal habitat. Include: food, water, living space, cover/shelter. GLO: D2, E2
Science and Technology: Living Things
3. Interaction between humans and their environment Describes the impact of human activity on the environment (e.g. use of resources, pollution, waste management, land use, urbanization, agriculture)
302-2 describe how various animals are able to meet their basic needs in their habitat
301-1 predict how the removal of a plant or animal population affects the rest of the community
Life Science: Habitats
• predict how the removal of a plant or animal population affects the rest of the community and relate habitat loss to the endangerment or extinction of plants and animals (301-1, 301-2)
- Learners will analyze the interconnectiveness of living things and the environment, in relation to the concept of Netukulimk. Learners will explore the following concepts: ecosystems, interconnectiveness, biotic and abiotic, energy input and matter recycling, food webs, Netukulimk, human impact.
- Analyze the interactions of various organisms within an ecosystem (CZ/CT/COM)
STSE
104-6 demonstrate that specific terminology is used in science and technology contexts
Knowledge
302-2 describe how a variety of animals are able to meet their basic needs in their habitat
301-1 predict how the removal of a plant or animal population affects the rest of the community
301-2 relate habitat loss to the endangerment or extinction of plants and animals
Unit 4 Habitat and Communities
GCO 1 STSE
25.0 demonstrate that specific terminology is used in science and technology contexts
GCO 3 Knowledge
64.0 investigate and describe how a variety of local animals are able to meet their basic needs in their habitat
69.0 predict how reduction or removal of a plant or animal population affects the rest of the community
70.0 relate habitat loss to the endangerment or extinction of plants and animals