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This activity is part of the Detours and Distractions: How Humans Impact Migration Patterns unit.
l. Activate students’ developing knowledge about human impacts on migration and create a Know & Need to Know chart to engage groups in setting research goals.
- Distribute the Human Impacts Map Layer: Know & Need to Know Chart to each student.
- Ask students to discuss the questions in their project groups and record their thoughts on their chart:
- What do we already know about how our animal’s migration pattern is impacted by humans?
- What do we already know about solutions to these impacts?
- What do we need to know about how our animal’s migration pattern is impacted by humans in order to create a human impact map layer?
- What do we need to know about solutions to these impacts? Or, what do we need to know to create solutions to these impacts?
- Explain that for the remainder of this activity, each group will research, gather, and organize information to create a final map layer showing how their focal animal’s migration is impacted by humans and explaining, illustrating, or describing at least one possible solution to this impact. This map layer should also include a key.
- Remind students about the definition of stakeholders: a person with an interest or concern in something or one who is involved in or affected by a course of action.
- Explain to students that as they are learning about human impacts on their animal's migrations and recommending solutions, they will list at least four stakeholders and explain what their stake is in the impact, solution, or animal migration.
- Distribute the Human Impacts Map Layer Rubric and orient students so that they are familiar with the expectations before they begin their work.
3. Prepare groups to research and create the final migration map layer, the Human Impacts Map. (This step should take up the majority of the activity.)
- Prompt students to gather all completed map layers and handouts from previous activities.
- Help students choose and print the same map layer as their base map using MapMaker 1-Page Maps.
- Set parameters for students on where they can do additional research. See the Background & Vocabulary tab for helpful sources.
- Support and structure student research as needed based on how the previous project work sessions have gone.
- While students are working, circulate to provide assistance and remind them of the required components.
- Prompt for a key: What do all of the symbols and colors on your map mean?
- Prompt for an understanding of the human impact on their animal’s migration pattern: How is your animal’s migration impacted by humans? How are you illustrating that on your map layer? Are these effects being seen now? How might these effects continue to get worse if no solution is provided?
- Prompt for a list of stakeholders and descriptions of their stake: Who is responsible for this human impact? Who would be involved or affected by a solution? How would they be affected?
- Prompt for an explanation of at least one solution to the human impact on the animal’s migration pattern: What are some ways that your focal animal’s migration pattern can be helped? Are these solutions already in place, or ones that you are coming up with? Is there evidence that these solutions are successful? How would you measure their success? How feasible are these solutions? Are there real-life examples of this happening and helping? How long do you think it might take for this proposed solution to help?
- Collect group maps at the end of the activity to assess students' work and provide formative feedback.
Rubric
The Human Impacts Map Layer Rubric can be used to assess each group’s Human Impacts Map Layer. All group maps should show how humans impact the animal, should have a key, and should describe at least one solution to the impact. To be successful, groups should also list and describe at least four stakeholders who have a stake in the human impacts or the solution.
Extending the Learning
Solutions to human impacts on the environment influence multiple stakeholders. Hold a debate about a solution to a human impact and have different students or student groups act as different stakeholders. Different stakeholders can be local landowners, scientists, conservationists, native communities, business owners, and local communities.
Subjects & Disciplines
- Biology
- Conservation
- Geography
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Identify and describe at least four stakeholders that are involved with the human impact or solution.
Teaching Approach
- Project-based learning
Teaching Methods
- Discussions
- Research
- Self-directed learning
Skills Summary
This activity targets the following skills:
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21st Century Student Outcomes
- Learning and Innovation Skills
- Life and Career Skills
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Critical Thinking Skills
- Analyzing
- Applying
- Creating
- Evaluating
- Remembering
- Understanding
- Geographic Skills
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Science and Engineering Practices
- Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering)
- Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering)
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information
Connections to National Standards, Principles, and Practices
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.7: Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.2: Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.7: Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
Next Generation Science Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.7.1.B: Follow rules for collegial discussions, track progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed.
- Crosscutting Concept 1: Patterns
- Crosscutting Concept 2: Cause and effect: Mechanism and prediction
- Crosscutting Concept 4: Systems and system models
- Crosscutting Concept 7: Stability and change
- Disciplinary Core Ideas LS2: Ecosystems, Energy, and Dynamics:
- Disciplinary Core Ideas LS3: Earth and Human Activity:
- MS. Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics: MS-LS2-4. Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
- MS-ESS3-4: Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human and natural resources impact Earth's systems.
- MS-ESS3: Earth and Human Activity: Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment
- Performance Expectations: MS-LS2-2: MS-LS2-2: Construct an explanation that predicts patterns of interactions among organisms across multiple ecosystems.
- Science and Engineering Practice 1: Asking questions and defining problems
- Science and Engineering Practice 2: Developing and using models
- Science and Engineering Practice 4: Analyzing and interpreting data
- Science and Engineering Practice 6: Constructing explanations and designing solutions
- Science and Engineering Practice 8: Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
What You’ll Need
Materials You Provide
- Markers
- Paper
- Writing utensils
- Scissors
Required Technology
- Internet Access: Required
- Tech Setup: 1 computer per classroom, 1 computer per pair, Printer
Physical Space
- Classroom
Grouping
- Small-group work
Background Information
Mapping animal migration is an important way to understand more about the animals, their movement pattern, and their global relationship. Additionally, creating and reading maps are important skills, and help students to simplify complex patterns and gain new perspectives. Spatial representations are important tools students can use to aid in memory and learning. Utilizing different maps (e.g., state, country, and world maps) not only help students learn geographical information, but help them to understand geographic perspective and scale.
Prior Knowledge
- None
Vocabulary
process where a community of animals leaves a habitat for part of the year or part of their lives, and moves to habitats that are more hospitable.
unplanned or temporary path.
to divert or draw attention away from something.
result or impact produced by an action.
data that can be measured, observed, examined, and analyzed to support a conclusion.
possible.
central and important.
to influence or have an effect on something.
an explanation of symbols and abbreviations used on a map, also known as a legend.
symbolic representation of selected characteristics of a place, usually drawn on a flat surface.
part of a map representing specific features of a place.
to determine the numeric value of something, often in comparison with something else, such as a determined standard value.
predictable movements, in time and space, of a group of animals or people.
distinctive relative size, extent, or degree.
an answer to a problem.
person or organization that has an interest or investment in a place, situation, or company.
Articles & Profiles
- National Geographic: Nature’s Most Impressive Animal Migrations
- National Geographic: What a Trip! The Toughest Animal Migrations on Earth
- The Nature Education Knowledge Project: Animal Migration
Books
Instructional Content
- National Geographic: Ecosystems Collection
- National Geographic: Human Impacts on the Environment Collection
Websites
Tips & Modifications
Tip
Step 1: Watch the Animal Migration GeoChallenge Video to show examples of student solutions to this problem.
Tip
Step 2: To provide some background information on maps and their components, spend time as needed exploring the Map encyclopedic entry.
Tip
Step 3: Review each group’s Human Impacts Map to provide formative feedback and ensure students are meeting expectations. If your review indicates that many groups need more time to revise or improve their Human Impacts Map, adjust your pacing as needed before students develop their final presentation of the unit.
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Interrupted Migrations: Impacts and Solutions
Students investigate different solutions to human impacts on animal migration and identify different stakeholders; this information will be represented in the final map layer for their unit project. Groups develop and present an evidence-based argument that takes a stand on a specific human impact on animal migration and aims to convince stakeholders to implement a recommended solution. This lesson is part of the Detours and Distractions: How Humans Impact Migration Patterns unit.
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Exploring Solutions to Human Impacts on Animal Migration
Students investigate different solutions to human impacts on animal migration by reading four articles. They will compare the similarities and differences of the solutions, record some pros and cons, and identify stakeholders. Students will reflect and build on previous learning from other activities in this unit.
-
Detours and Distractions: How Humans Impact Migration Patterns
This project-based unit will transform your students into animal migration experts. Student groups will research a focal animal and create a multilayered map that features an animal migration pattern, ecosystem-level effects, and human impacts on animal migration. Groups will present their map and an evidence-based argument to convince stakeholders to implement a recommended solution.
-
Interrupted Migrations: Impacts and Solutions
Students investigate different solutions to human impacts on animal migration and identify different stakeholders; this information will be represented in the final map layer for their unit project. Groups develop and present an evidence-based argument that takes a stand on a specific human impact on animal migration and aims to convince stakeholders to implement a recommended solution. This lesson is part of the Detours and Distractions: How Humans Impact Migration Patterns unit.
-
Exploring Solutions to Human Impacts on Animal Migration
Students investigate different solutions to human impacts on animal migration by reading four articles. They will compare the similarities and differences of the solutions, record some pros and cons, and identify stakeholders. Students will reflect and build on previous learning from other activities in this unit.
-
Detours and Distractions: How Humans Impact Migration Patterns
This project-based unit will transform your students into animal migration experts. Student groups will research a focal animal and create a multilayered map that features an animal migration pattern, ecosystem-level effects, and human impacts on animal migration. Groups will present their map and an evidence-based argument to convince stakeholders to implement a recommended solution.