Connect students directly to the concept in a personal way. Capture students' attention by initiating a group problem-solving activity before delivery of instruction. Begin with a situation that is familiar to students and builds on what they already know. Construct a learning experience that allows diverse and personal student responses. Facilitate the work of cooperative teams of students.

Endangered Species Simulation

Objective: Students will discover that a relationship exists between native and alien species. This relationship has caused many native species to become endangered.
Activity: Students and teacher will participate in a simulation. Students line up on one side of a basketball court or other marked off rectangular area. This side will be designated as side A. The teacher hands out one card to each student. Some students receive a picture of a kahuli (snail), other students a picture of aniiwi (bird), and some students a picture of a sila (seal). One student is chosen to be man and stands on the opposite side of the court. The side of man is designated as Side B.

Round One: When the teacher says go, the snails, birds, and seals run around within the boundaries of half of the court. The student representing man runs to the opposite side of the court and tags only one other student. The teacher blows a whistle and all of the students freeze. The student who was tagged out goes back to the starting point with man. The student reveals whether he was a snail, bird, or seal. The teacher records the information. The teacher explains that the student who was tagged out now represents a rat.
Round Two: The remaining snails, birds and seals line up on Side A. The teacher collects the cards and redistributes the cards, but does not change the number of each animal that was left at the end of round one. Man and Rat line up on Side B of the court. When the teacher says go, the snails, birds, and seals run around within the boundaries of half of the court. Man and Rat run to the opposite side of the court and they each tag only one other student. The teacher blows a whistle and all the students freeze. The students tagged out reveal whether they were a snail, bird, or seal. If the student tagged by Man was a snail, bird, or seal, he/she must go to side B with Man. However, Rat can only take a snail or bird back with him/her to Side B. Rat can not take back a seal. If rat tagged a seal, the seal is let go and goes back to Side A. The teacher records the information. The third student out represents a Fishing Net. The fourth student out represents a Cannibal Snail.
Round Three: The remaining snails, birds, and seals line up on side A. The teacher collects the cards and redistributes the cards, but does not change the number of each animal that was left at the end of round two. Man, Rat, Fishing Net, and Cannibal Snail line up on Side B of the court. When the teacher says go, the snails, birds, and seals run around within the boundaries of half of the court. Man, Rat, Fishing Net, and Cannibal Snail run to the opposite side of the court and each one tags only one other student. The teacher blows a whistle and all the students freeze.
Rules for this and all remaining rounds:
1. Man can get out a snail, bird, or seal. If any of these are tagged out, they go to Side B and become Man.
2. Rat can get out a snail or a bird. If either of these are tagged out, they go to Side B and become a Rat. If a seal is tagged by a Rat, seal is let go to go back to Side A.
3. Cannibal Snail can only get out a snail. If a bird or seal is tagged, they are let go t and go back to Side A.
4. Fishing Net can only get out a seal. If a snail or bird is tagged, they are let go and go back to Side A.
The students who are out reveal whether they were a snail, bird, or seal. After each round the teacher records the information (what and how many animals got out and who got them out).
Note: The amount of students in the class will determine how many rounds you go. You should stop when almost all of the snails, birds, and seals are gone. You should have at least one of each remaining by the last round.
Assessment: Students are engaged in the activity.