LESSON I
"SEEING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE"
(Geography Standards 4, 8, 14, 15, 16, 18)

Objective: To discover biodiversity and the major threats to biodiversity.
Activity 1: "SEEING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE" SONG
Students will read through the words of the song, "Seeing a World of Difference," by Ben Uyetake. Have them listen to the tape. Discuss the song and biodiversity. The students will then find pictures, or draw pictures, that reflect their interpretation of the song. Have them free write their ideas about and the importance of biodiversity. An option to the pictures: Select and project slides to go with the song. (Note: If you would like to have a copy of the words and recorded song, please call the HGA office or e-mail M.F. Higuchi.)
Activity 2: HIPPO
A combination of factors...Habitat Loss, Introduced Species, Pollution, Population Growth, Over Consumption (See page 12 of GAW packet for more explanation on HIPPO.)
A.
HIPPO Pictures
1. Discuss HIPPO.
2. Prior to the lesson, cut out pictures that show different major threats (pictures of habitat loss due to a shopping center being built over a wetland, introduced species like the mongoose eating the birds, oil spills affecting the coastal animals, etc.)
3. Spread apart and place the letters H, I, P, P, and O on the board. Hand out pictures to students. Students will place pictures under the major threats they feel the pictures portray. Discuss.
4. Have students draw a picture and write an explanation that deals with one of the threats. Share. Place on Bulletin Board for all to see.
Extensions: Instead of each student drawing a picture, break them up into groups to work on a mural. Suggestion: On a long piece of butcher paper, paint the letters H I P P O. Cut the the paper into five puzzle pieces. Each group will be responsible for making a collage on the designated puzzle piece by cutting and gluing pictures from magazines that show one of the major threats. (If magazines are unavailable, students may draw their pictures.) Students can also write an explanation for their section. Each group reports as the pieces are placed together.
B.
HIPPO Bingo (Note: This will take some time to prepare for.)
1. Look for pictures that show major threats to biodiversity. (You need 25 pictures -- 5 for each category. Label each picture with a letter.) Write descriptions on how the habitats or animals have been affected. Type these descriptions in the "Bingo" blocks. Provide each student or groups of students with a Bingo sheet. Tack the pictures around the room. Students will have to find the matching picture to the descriptions on the Bingo sheet. Once the answers are checked, discuss and locate on the map the different scenarios.
Sample entry: On the HIPPO Bingo sheet under H --"These whistling animals live in the Cayman Island swamp. They are decreasing due to wetland drainage."
Answer: Picture with the West Indian Whistling-Ducks
Habitat: Mangroves, forested swamps and reedbeds in the Bahamas, Greater Antilles.
(Note: In the National Geographic Society's monthly magazines, you will find an advertisement that discusses animals in danger. We cut , glued onto heavier paper, and laminated the pictures for the HIPPO Bingo.)

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Copyright © Hawaii Geographic Alliance. Updated: Dec.98