Let’s Learn About Endangered Animals

Written and Illustrated by Class 2-218 Ms. Trupia - Teacher

Officer Ramon Suarez Elementary School P.S. 239Q

Robin L. Connolly, Principal

Stella Kostopoulos, Lisa Impieri, Debra Rudolph Assistant Principals

© New York City Department of Education 2007-2008

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Table of Contents

The authors would like to dedicate this book as follows: ................................................... 2 Introduction......................................................................................................................... 3 Chapter 1: Chinchillas ........................................................................................................ 4 Chapter 2: Basking Shark ................................................................................................... 6 Chapter 3: Bison ................................................................................................................. 8 Chapter 4: Komodo Dragon ............................................................................................. 10 Interesting and Amazing Facts ......................................................................................... 12 Glossary ............................................................................................................................ 13 References ......................................................................................................................... 14 About the Authors ............................................................................................................. 15

The authors would like to dedicate this book as follows: Macarena to her friend Sofey Albert, Luis, Rene, Jessica I., Johnathan, Anaize and Valmira to their friend Johana Dylan to his friend Justin Justin and Gabriel to their friend Carlos Johana and Stephanie to their teacher Ms. Letterelli Carlos to his friend Anthony Sylvia to her family Jasmin and Karla to Ms Kutch Johnny to his friend Christian Christian and Jessica B. to Ms. Karp Tushar to his friend Evelin to her Mom

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Introduction This book represents the culminating activity of an inquiry based research project that integrates technology with literacy and science. Every child participated in the process of posing questions and researching material. Children learned the value of reading for information from books and web sites and working together in groups. They also learned important nonfiction skills such as organizing information into chapters, illustrating text with diagrams, defining new vocabulary words in a glossary and referencing materials. In addition to the administrative support we received from Mrs. Connolly, our Principal, and Ms. Impieri, Ms. Kostopoulos and Ms. Rudolph, our Assistant Principals, many teachers outside the computer lab supported this effort and I wish to take this opportunity to thank them for their contribution: Class 2-218 Ms Trupia

Science Mr. Monahan Library Ms. Komae Art Ms. Schiavi

And finally, Teresa Bader, Manhattan Borough Director OIT, who brought project-based learning to Region 4 and trained many teachers during the 2004-2007 Title IID Enhancing Education Through Grant. Thank you one and all. Nancy Shaw Technology Teacher

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Chapter 1: Chinchillas

What does a chinchilla look like? Johana

A chinchilla looks like a fluffy, grey squirrel, also like a fat hamster.

What does a chinchilla eat? Macarena

A chinchilla has a diet of grass, fruits, leaves, bark, roots and stems. If you have a pet chinchilla, you have to give it a treat only in the morning like a piece of apple or a carrot.

Where does a chinchilla live? Sylvia

e

A chinchilla lives in grassland. And a chinchilla lives in South America. And a chinchilla can be a pet.

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How is a baby chinchilla born? Jasmine

When baby chinchillas are born they drink milk from the mom for about six weeks. When they are born they open their eyes fast.

How does a chinchilla defend itself? Valmira

A chinchilla defends itself by hiding to a place that looks just like chinchillas. And the chinchilla defends itself by running fast.

How does a chinchilla get around Anaize

They get around with their 4 small legs.

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Chapter 2: Basking Shark

What does a shark look like? Tushar

Sharks look like a big fish but some sharks are small. Sharks have sharp teeth. Some sharks are dangerous and some are not. Some are blue and some are white and some have spots like a leopard. It has a big fin on its back.

What does a shark eat? Carlos

Basking sharks eat lots of fishes but the sharks can not eat the ones that change colors.

Where does a shark live? Justin

Basking sharks live in the Atlantic ocean in coastal and temperature waters.

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How is a baby shark born?

Gabriel Basking shark babies are called pups. The mommy shark is pregnant for 14 months. Sometimes she has 2 babies. Sometimes she has more, like up to 20.

How does a shark defend itself? Jessica I.

The basking shark defends itself by showing his sharp teeth. Humans are the enemies of basking shark. Some humans are their friends.

How does a shark get around

Anthony

The basking shark swims very slowly. The basking shark uses his whole body to swim.

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Chapter 3: Bison

What does a bison look like? Yamile

A bison is a mammal. It has ahump on its back. The fur on the hump is black. It is big. It weighs more than 1,000 pounds. It has short horns.

What does a bison eat? Evelin

The bison eats grass and leaves.

Where does a bison live? Johnathan

The bison lives in North America. They live on a mountain.

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How is a baby bison born? Karla

It reproduces like a mammal. The baby bison takes 9 months to be born. The baby bison drinks milk from its mommy.

How does a bison defend itself? Rene

When is bison tries to defend itself it runs putting its head down where his horns are and runs until he kills his enemies.

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Chapter 4: Komodo Dragon What does a komodo dragon look like?

Stephanie

A komodo dragon looks like a big lizard. It is king of green and kind of blue and kind of grey. It is bigger than a dog and its tail is longer too.

What does a komodo dragon eat? Christian

The komodo dragon eats meat.

Where does a komodo dragon live?

Joselyn

A komodo dragon lives in the rtainforest and on an island.

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How is a baby komodo dragon born?

Dylan

A komodo dragon comes out of an egg. The mommy can lay 70 eggs. She puts the eggs in the ground. When the babies are born they are called hatchlings.

How does a komodo dragon defend

itself? Johnny and Albert

A komodo dragon can defend itself by going closer. Then the komodo dragon scratches the alligator and eats him up.

How does a komodo dragon get around? Luis

They run around and they sneak around.

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Interesting and Amazing Facts

All lizards have poison. A komodo dragon has cold blood. The komodo dragon can jump 11 meters

high.

A bison weight a ton. Buffalo is a city in New York State

named after the bison. The Asian Water Buffalo is very

different from the American Bison

A shark’s brain is small but its teeth are big.

When a tooth breaks off a new tooth comes.

A shark uses up thousands of teeth every year.

It has many rows of teeth

There is a coat made of wild chinchilla that cost $100,000

Chinchillas need a special dust to take a bath.

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Glossary Diet (n.) the foods an animal usually eats enemies (n.) someone who wants to hurt you Fin (n.) one of the organs which enables fishes to balance

themselves and regulate their movements. Grassland a land full of grasses like a prairie Rodent a small mammal that Ton the same as 2,000 pounds Coastal near the coast, the beach

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References

BOOKS 1. Hammerheads and Other Sharks. Steven Otfinoski. 2. World Book’s Animals of the World. Chicago, 2002 3. Hungry, Hungry Sharks! By Joanna Cole, illustrated by Patricia Wynne. 4. Basking Sharks by Adam G. Klein WEB SITES "shark." Compton's by Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. <http://www.school.eb.com/all/comptons/article-207933>. www.school.eb.com/ www.wikipedia.org www.animalsearch.net/ www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/ www.enchantedlearning.com/coloring/ www.factmonster.com/ www.globio.org/glossopedia/Default.aspx www.kidsbiology.com/animals-for-children.php?animal=Water Buffalo www.kidsplanet.org/factsheets/map.html www.kidzone.ws/animals/ animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals www.seaworld.org/animal-info/Animal-Bytes/index.htm www.chinchillaclub.com/kids/ www.texasbeyondhistory.net/kids/buffalo.html www.supremepetfoods.com www.grassfedtraditions.com/grass_fed_bison.htm

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About the Authors

We all hope you enjoy this book. We have facts about chinchilla, komodo dragon, bison and basking Sharks. We worked really hard tomake it fun. Tell your friends to read it too. It’s fresh. It’s new. We have facts for you.

Composed by Macarena on behalf of Class 2-218