Can We Save the Tiger?

Can We Save the Tiger?

written by Martin Jenkins and illustrated by Vicky White, 2011, Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press. (0763649090).

Media: pencil and oil paint

Author Website: none

Illustrator Website: none

Awards and Honors: none

Annotation: Discusses endangered species and the role humans can play in threatening as well as rehabilitating their populations.

Personal Reaction: Jenkins and White have created a very special book with Can We Save the Tiger?. Sensitive and balanced without being preachy, Can We Save the Tiger? introduces children to well-known endangered species such as the tiger, but also makes a point of teaching about other less cuddly endangered animals like the Indian vulture and the Partula snail. I like that Jenkins not only discusses endangered animals, but also teaches children about animals like the bison and the rhinocerous, that were once endangered but through the actions of humans have been brought back from the brink of extinction. He also avoids condemning humans, explaining that sometimes the actions of people trying to house themselves and produce the things they need have resulted in harming animals:  

"So if you were a poor farmer trying to make a living with a couple of cows and a few goats, you might not be too happy if you found out there was a hungry tiger living nearby. And if you knew that someone might pay you more for a tiger skin and some bones than you could earn in three whole months working the fields, then you might find it very tempting to set a trap or two, even if you knew it was against the law". 

Jenkins' prose is warm and conversational and Vicky White's beautiful, delicately detailed illustrations really make the book. Using pencil and occasionally oil paints, she imbues each animal with a lifelike realism. Her animals, whether feathered, furry, scaly or slimy, are richly textured and seem to almost leap from the page. All in all, Can We Save the Tiger? is a wonderful, sensitive introduction to endangered animals for elementary aged children. 

Curriculum Connection: 
Elementary School biology

Lesson Plan:

Subject Area:             
Biology

Suggested Grade Level:     
4-5

Lesson Title:             
Causes of Extinction (adapted from Scholastic’s website:  http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/lessonplan.jsp?id=391)

Time:                 
1-2 hours

Materials/Equipment Required: 
-Can We Save the Tiger? By Jenkins and White

Objectives: 
There are five major causes of extinction: habitat loss, an introduced species, pollution, population growth, and overconsumption. Through the activity, students will create a list of reasons why animals can become extinct and learn the acronym HIPPO as a way of remembering causes of extinction.

Suggested Procedure:          

1.    Teacher will read aloud Can We Save the Tiger? to the class.
2.    Teacher will create scenario cards for each of the below causes of extinction. Multiple examples of each cause will be needed. An example: A species of bird lived in wetlands until trash and chemicals made them sick (pollution), A species of fish lived in streams and rivers until a new, invasive species of fish came and started eating them (introduced species)
3.    Write this acronym on the board and discuss each cause:
     
H- Habitat loss
I - Introduced species
P- Pollution
P- Population growth
O- Overconsumption 

   4. Read the scenario cards and have students give the cause (habitat loss, introduced species, pollution, population growth, overconsumption) behind each scenario.