Using a variety of online resources, students have gathered facts about a particular animal’s endangered status, reasons for endangerment, habitat, classification, diet, and other basic information. They have organized their research into hand-made accordion books full of facts, diagrams, maps, pictures, and bibliographies. Each student also created a small diorama depicting the natural habitat of the animal. Next week fifth graders will present their projects to other classes. This unit has sharpened their research and expository writing skills, and has given 5th graders a much deeper understanding of some of the root causes of endangerment.