Why not walk in the footsteps of Teddy Roosevelt and become a conservationist? After discussing issues and reasons for animal extinction, the class creates their own conservation plans. Each small group is given mock data regarding a fictitious island environment, as well as three different endangered species cards. They work together to determine how they will conserve portions of the island to save each of the endangered animals they've been assigned. Some wonderful wrap-up discussion questions are included, which would also work well as writing prompts. 

Common Core

RI.8.8 RST.6-8.1 WHST.6-8.1.a WHST.6-8.9