Lesson Plan - Should We Bring Back Woolly Mammoths?

Watch a Video: Animals of the Ice Age
Ask: How did Ice Age creatures survive in their harsh environment?

Preview Words to Know
Project the online vocabulary slideshow and introduce the Words to Know.

• cells 
• greenhouse gases

Set a Purpose for Reading
As they read, have students note ways mammoths could help or hurt the Arctic.

1. What are three facts about woolly mammoths in the article?
Woolly mammoths looked like furry elephants. They lived in cold places and became extinct thousands of years ago. 
^{(RI.3.1 TEXT EVIDENCE)}

2. Why do some people say it would be good for mammoths to scrape snow from the ground?
Snow acts like a blanket and keeps the soil warm. This lets greenhouse gases escape, which speeds up climate change. If mammoths scraped snow away, cold air would keep the soil frozen. The gases would stay in the soil. 
^{(RI.3.3 CAUSE AND EFFECT)}

3. What does the word opponents mean, based on the article? Why are some people opponents of bringing back mammoths?
Opponents are people who are against an idea. Opponents of bringing back mammoths say it would harm the habitat and would not really help fight climate change.
^{(RI.3.4 VOCABULARY)}

FEATURED SKILL: Opinion Writing
Use “Seeing Both Sides” to have students identify arguments on both sides of the debate, then take a stand. 
^{(W.3.2 OPINION WRITING)}