Pistes d'exploration

Look at the front and back covers, title, subtitles and illustrations. Discuss the text features: photos, documents, artifacts and general organization. How will you read a page? How will these features help you make sense of the content?

Use a graphic organizer to record important facts about each animal (habitat, threats to survival, current status).

Reread the book, focusing on the notes of the various scientists. Based on these notes, write a job description for an animal conservationist.

Taking inspiration from the text, write a fictional story, poem or comic strip featuring one of the real-life endangered animals. Incorporate facts from the texts.

Look at the front and back covers, title, subtitles and illustrations. Discuss the text features: photos, documents, artifacts and general organization. How will you read a page? How will these features help you make sense of the content?

With a partner, use a graphic organizer to record important facts about each animal (habitat, threats to survival, current status).

As you read the scientists' bios and their field notes, complete a character map that outlines the qualities of scientists who want to save these rare creatures.

Choose one of the animals and create a poster to explain why it is special and worth saving.

Look at the front cover, title and subtitle. In teams, discuss the possible meaning of the acronym “EDGE.” Jot down ideas for what each letter might represent. Compare with classmates.

With a partner, use a graphic organizer to record important facts about each animal (habitat, threats to survival, current status).

Recreate a two-page spread similar to the ones in the book, focusing on a different endangered species. Include photos, “Did You Know?” bubbles, a list of field notes, as well as the name of a scientist who is actively trying to save this animal. On a class map, use a picture to pinpoint your animal’s home.

Mots-clés

Non-fiction , animal adaptations , biodiversity , endangered animals , environment , extinction , wildlife conservation

Commentaire descriptif

This engaging read introduces 11 unusual animals that are facing extinction. Part of the Zoological Society of London’s EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) project, readers travel the world in search of the long-eared jerboa, the golden-rumped elephant-shrew, the bumblebee bat and Yangtze River dolphin. Some of these creatures are so rare that the reader follows field scientists to uncover whether they are still on the planet at all. A sense of curiosity is encouraged: “Have you packed camera traps or a bat detector?” We meet real scientists, learn why they are drawn to the work they do, how they track their animals and how they collaborate with local communities. Photographs of endangered species and their habitats, as well as the scientists themselves, fill the colourful, busy layouts. Design elements and playful fonts give the book the accessible feel of a kid’s magazine and include “Did You Know?” fact bubbles, “Meet the Scientist” sections and scientist’s notebook entries. Occasionally there are more detailed field notes that read as action adventure stories: “Blood sucking leeches were continually trying to sneak into our boots.” This unique and enjoyable resource introduces real-life scientist role models and the fascinating creatures they are trying to save. A map of the EDGE project, more detailed information, a glossary and an index can be found at the back.