Lesson Plan - Should We Bring Back Extinct Animals?

Watch the Video
Watch the video “Animals of the Ice Age.” Ask: Which Ice Age animals do you find most interesting? Why do you think scientists are working to bring back Ice Age creatures and other extinct species? 

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

• cells
• conservation

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about whether bringing back extinct creatures would help other animals or hurt them.

1. Based on the article, how did scientists create Remus and Romulus?
According to the article, scientists created Remus and Romulus by changing the DNA of modern-day gray wolves. DNA is the material in cells that determines how living things look and function.
^{R.2 Main Ideas and Key Details}

2. According to the “yes” side of the debate, how could de-extinction help today’s endangered species?
According to the “yes” side of the debate, de-extinction could help today’s endangered species by making them healthier. The article notes that de-extinction “might be used to change the DNA of animals to make them stronger and better able to fight diseases.”
^{R.1 Text Evidence}

3. Why do some people argue that de-extinction is a “cruel experiment”?
Some people argue that de-extinction is a “cruel experiment” because the new animals created through de-extinction may face constant testing and suffer from health problems.
^{R.8 Reasons and Evidence}

Featured Skill: Opinion Writing
Distribute the skill builder “Let Me Convince You!” and have students use it to plan an opinion essay about de-extinction.
^{W.1 Opinion Writing}