Samantha Bueltmann
Me with Max at the Tiger Sanctuary Me giving my presentation in WFT
I have loved science and animals my entire life, and I always knew that I wanted to do something
related to these for a living. I was lucky enough to work at a veterinary office and volunteer at National Tiger
Sanctuary while going to a community college after high school. Finally I went away to Southern Illinois
University Carbondale where I received my BS in Zoology, and then I started working with the tigers full time.
As much as I loved working with the animals, however, I started to realize that what I really loved was
teaching all of the visitors about all sorts of environmental issues. The most fun I had was finding the people
that truly did not care or understand why the issues mattered. It was challenging and so fulfilling when I
finally discovered how to reach them. I can only hope that if I keep trying to teach, that I will get through to at
least a few people and that will make a difference. After realizing all of this, I decided that I wanted to teach
biology and registered at UMSL. I chose secondary education because I wanted the challenge of getting
through to teenagers and because I can get more in depth with the topics with that age group. I am starting my
graduate program at UMSL in Spring 2011 and I am so excited!
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be
known.”
- Dr. Carl Sagan
“I never imagined my life taking the path that it has, but I can’t
imagine a better surprise.”
- Samantha Bueltmann
My dog Pevely,
whom I love dearly
and who has taught
me valuable lessons
in patience!
Endangered Species Magazine
Environmental Science
Ms. Bueltmann
Spring 2011
Rationale: The dynamics behind endangered species issues is a critical thing for
students to learn and comprehend. This project will be a fun, group effort where
students can explore many different plants and animals of their choosing while also
understanding the challenges those species face. It will help students to focus on
all of the aspects that cause species to become endangered: habitat, food supply,
mating availability, human encroachment, and more. In addition, this will
demonstrate the effects of humans on a wide variety of other species as well as the
effects of these species on us and the other aspects of the environment they live in.
Students will be able to choose a unique species that interests them while
comprehending how all of the issues previously and currently being discussed in
class truly relate to each other and to our lives. In essence, the magazine will tie
together comprehension of material, relevance to the real world, and hopefully
inspire a drive to better that world.
Summary: This project will require each student to choose an endangered species
to research and write a summary about. Each summary will be compiled into the
collective student magazine. In the summary, students will give basic information
about the animal: scientific name, description, habitat, food source, geographic
distribution, etc. In addition, major causes of endangered status will be described,
as well as possible solutions to help the species.
Objectives:
1) Research – finding and using appropriate sources
2) Reading – comprehension of material and selecting pertinent information
3) Critical thinking – determining problems and solutions from facts found
4) Independent learning – finding information and working on project outside of
class without direct teacher assistance at times
5) Team work – compiling each students work together into sensible, organized
final product
6) Hopefully a drive to change something to make a difference
Length of Curriculum: This project will take seven full class periods over four
weeks. The first week will only require one day for introduction of the topic and
the project. The second week will require two days in the computer lab for internet
research guidance and independent work, and the beginning of another class to
answer questions before the weekend. The third week will require two periods in
the classroom and one in the computer lab. Finally, the fourth week will only
require one day for peer evaluation and class discussion of the project.
Materials and Resources:
1) Access to the computer lab for 3 to 4 class periods
2) Use of the school’s library books
3) Use of the school newspaper’s materials for final product.
Means of Assessment:
1) Formative – check mark for meeting due dates and working in allotted class
time, participation points while in groups, peer evaluation
2) Summative – will be graded on their contribution to final product: met all
requirements, critical thinking demonstrated in cause of problem and possible
solutions, can demonstrate that class topics have been learned by accurately
drawing concepts from lessons into article in a meaningful way, peer evaluation of
group participation
Endangered Species
Magazine
Environmental Science
Ms. Bueltmann
Spring 2011
_________________________
Your Name
“It is not the strongest of the
species that survives, nor the
most intelligent that survives.
It is the one that is the most
adaptable to change.”
- Charles Darwin
You will be working
independently and in groups
to create a class magazine
about endangered species.
Step 1
Choose an endangered species you would
like to research and write an article about.
Species choice — DUE MAY 9 Step 2
Gather information independently and write a
rough draft — DUE MAY 15 Step 3
Class will meet and form groups based on similar fea-
tures of your chosen species. Organization is up to you,
the students: you may decide to group them by physical
traits, geographic distribution, attractiveness… whatever
you like! Group choice—DUE MAY 15
Step 4
Each group will combine their individual articles into
one organized section and submit it for the class
magazine—DUE MAY 22
Endangered Species Magazine * Environmental Science * Ms. Bueltmann * Spring 2011
Basic information your articles should include:
1) Picture of your plant or animal
2) Physical description
3) Scientific name
4) Geographic distribution (where you can find it/ where you used to be able to)
5) Habitat
6) Food sources
7) At least one unique or interesting fact about your species
More detailed information:
1) Why is it endangered?
- This should include some basic information (ex: it is being overhunted) and
some more detailed/thought-provoking information (why is it being hunted?)
- Consider the topics we have discussed this semester. Use the basic information
listed above to draw conclusions, and look at cause/effect relationships
- Consider outside effects, such as people and development
- Often times there is more than one cause
2) Offer a possible solution to the problem
- This will require some critical thinking. Take a look at what is going on and
think about what changes could be made in our lives or the environment that might help
to prevent extinction.
REMEMBER TO RELAX AND HAVE FUN!
This is not an essay! While you should learn about your species and use critical thinking
to come to your conclusions, you are only writing a one page article. Use only important
information, and BE CONCISE! The article should fill ONE WHOLE PAGE.
I recommend gathering all of the information to answer the basic questions listed above
and then organize it into different sections as paragraphs. After that, focus on the more
detailed questions and do the same for them. Finally, find a few fun details to fill in the
article in sensible places where the information will fit with the topic of the paragraph.
Make sure you do not waste space with a bunch of “fluff” or you may not have room to
fit all of the required information. If you do have extra room, that is where you put the
extra, interesting details or “fun facts.” If you are uncertain about something…
PLEASE ASK! THAT IS WHAT I AM HERE FOR!
used to be found over large
areas of Asia, but their range
has decreased dramatically in
the last 100 years. See the
population map below for
past and present ranges.
Red = Range in the year 1900
Green = Range in 1990
Tigers are generally orange
with black stripes. A female
tiger in the wild averages
about 250—400 lbs, while a
wild male reaches about
400—700 lbs. In captivity, a
male can reach up to 1000
lbs! Siberian/Amur tigers are
the biggest of the eight sub-
species, and they are the big-
gest cats in the world—even
bigger than lions!
The main food
source of tigers is medium-
to large-sized mammals. Alt-
hough uncommon, adults
have been known to success-
fully hunt everything from
rodents to brown bears to
crocodiles! Although their
diet may vary depending on
what food is available, tigers
are strictly carnivores.
An adult male re-
quires about 40 square miles
for his territory. This may
overlap a bit with some fe-
males for mating purposes,
but absolutely no other males
are allowed! This area must
have the necessities: water,
forest, brushy cov-
er, and food. The
territory is so
large because
most of their food,
such as deer,
move around and
the tigers must
follow.
Tigers
There are many causes for the
endangered status of tigers.
All over Asia they have been
overhunted for several rea-
sons: large predators are tro-
phy prizes, locals see them as
a threat to themselves or their
livestock, all of their body
parts are used in traditional
Chinese medicine, and they
are consequently worth a lot
of money on the black market.
Deforestation and habitat frag-
mentation have created a
problem, especially in Russia
where there aren’t a lot of
people living but there are a
lot of forests to be logged.
Population growth in India
have taken away both land and
prey. On islands like Java and
Sumatra, low genetic diversity
in small populations has left
subspecies less adaptable to
change. In China, all of these
reasons are seen, as well as
loss of both plant and animal
wildlife due to pollution.
With all of these ob-
stacles to face and such large
territories required, how
could tigers possibly survive?
It doesn’t occur to most of us
that our children might never
see a tiger since they are so
well known, but they are fast
on their way out the door.
We need to learn to be more
conservative with and recycle
all products from trees to re-
duce logging and fragmentation
effects. In addition, great
measures need to be taken in
Asia to prevent further mas-
sive overpopulation effects.
What Is a Tiger?
Why are Tigers Endangered?
Endangered Tigers
FUN FACTS
Tigers are the
only cats that
love water
Their tongue is
so rough for
grooming their
thick fur that it
can cut
through your
skin
A white tiger
lives in the
jungle, not in
the snow
Three of the
eight subspe-
cies of tigers
are already
extinct
Panthera tigris
MAY 2011 * Environmental Science * Ms. Bueltmann * Your Name________________________
M T W R F
1
TEST OVER
CH 9!
2 Ecosystems
3 Ecosystems
4 Habitats and Niches
5 Endangered Species Issues New project introduction – En-
dangered Species Magazine
8 Meet in computer lab How to find proper internet
sources Independent work in computer
lab
9 Meet in computer lab Independent work in computer
lab SPECIES CHOICE DUE BY
END OF CLASS
10 Population Dynamics
11 Food distribution and disease
12 Time to ask questions about the
magazine project and offer
ideas
Overpopulation
15 Student conference – magazine organization and
form groups ROUGH DRAFT OF ARTI-
CLE DUE
16 Magazine layouts Group meeting – peer editing of
articles, plan layout of your
section of the magazine
17 Predator/Prey Relationships
18 Habitat Fragmentation
19 Meet in computer lab Put your work together in one
file in your planned layout,
complete finishing touches
22 FINAL WORK DUE! Send off to the press! Discuss projects, Peer Evaluations
23 Human Effects on Wildlife Homework: What can we, as
students or a class, do to
help?
24 TEST REVIEW Class discussion about your
homework
25
TEST OVER
CH 10!
26 HELP OUR WILDLIFE! Surprise outdoor project –
MAKE SURE TO DRESS
APPRORIATELY FOR THE
WEATHER!!!
Rubric for Endangered Species Magazine, Spring 2011
Individual 0 - 8 9 - 17 18 - 25
Basic Requirements Few basic requirements
listed accurately, due
dates not met on time
Most basic
requirements met and
listed accurately, due
dates met on time
All basic requirements
met and listed
accurately, all due
dates met
Detailed Information Little detailed
information given,
fewer than 3 ties to
coursework shown
Most detailed
information
requirements listed,
3 – 4 ties to course
work shown
All detailed info
requirements met, more
than 4 ties to
coursework
demonstrated
Critical Thinking
and Creativity
Little critical thinking
shown in possible
solutions, conclusions
drawn, relationships,
etc.; article does not
fill one page
3 examples of critical
thinking shown, article
fills one page in an
uncreative or
unorganized fashion
More than 3 examples
of critical thinking
demonstrated, article
nicely and creatively
fills one page
Total points out of 75 =
Group 0 - 3 4 - 7 8 - 10
Organization Groups of species
illogical, group section
of magazine
unorganized
A few species do not
match their group,
group section of
magazine a little untidy
Species organized into
sensible groups, group
section of magazine put
together in neat and
logical manner
Teamwork (final
product reflects
this)
Very poor teamwork,
most of class time was
wasted
Team worked together
most of the time, some
class time was wasted
Team worked very well
together on their own,
class time used very
well
Total points out of 20 =
Average from Peer Evaluation…………………… Total points out of 5 =
TOTAL POINTS OUT OF 100 =
MAY 2011 Teacher Calendar
M T W R F 1
Reserve computer lab
Ch 9 Test
2
Ecosystems
3
Ecosystems
4
Habitats and Niches
5
1st ½ of class – Introduce
topic through Quote of the
Week and discussion
Last ½ of class – Introduce
magazine project with full
example, answer questions
8
Check Those Facts!
(variation) strategy to find
appropriate sources
Independent work in
computer lab
9
Independent work in
computer lab
Species choice due by end
of class period
10
Population Dynamics
Graphs/Charts
11
Food Distribution and
Disease
12
Beginning of class –
answer any questions or
concerns, students offer
suggestions as well
Reserve computer lab
15
Rough draft due
Student conference to
discuss how to organize
magazine and form groups
16
Meet with group in
classroom to peer edit,
give suggestions, and
organize layout on paper
of their section of the
magazine
17
Predator/Prey
Relationships
18
Habitat Fragmentation
19
Meet with group in
computer lab to compile
their work, organize layout
on computer, and complete
finishing touches
22
Peer evaluations, discuss
project, give feedback, and
groups turn in final work
to be sent off to the press
23
Human Effects on Wildlife
Homework: what can we
do to help?
24
Test Review
Class discussion about
homework
25
Test over Ch 10
26
Outdoor project in back
woods
Heading Environmental Science Ms. Bueltmann
Endangered Species Magazine Introduction Day May 5
Instructional
Framework
Initiating
Lesson Plan
Format
Teacher Centered - Review old material and present new material on endangered species
- Presentation of magazine assignment
- Direct instruction, presentation, and concept
Student Centered - Quote of the Day – analyze meaning individually and then discuss
ideas with class
Grouping Individuals
Materials &
Resources
School – Computer and Overhead
Teacher – Example and information
Student –
Strategies 1. Quote of the Day
2. Review and presentation of new material
3. Presentation of assignment
Review
Previous
Lessons
Review previous topics: food, habitat, geographic distribution, habitat
fragmentation, etc.
New Material How do these issues directly relate to endangered species?
Introduce magazine topic, requirements, example, etc.
Guided
Practice
Show full example of info with a species
Closure to
Lesson
Presentation of assignment, answer any questions
Assignment Begin thinking about what species they would like to use for their article
Heading Environmental Science Ms. Bueltmann
ES Magazine Meet with Group to Layout Magazine Day May 12
Instructional
Framework
Constructing
Lesson Plan
Format
Teacher Centered
- Direct instruction on how to layout magazines and give examples
Student Centered - Working in groups to discuss articles and magazine layout – cooperative
learning
Groups
Materials &
Resources
School – Computer and overhead
Teacher – Information and examples
Student – 1st draft of articles
Strategies 1. Direct Instruction
2. Cooperative learning in groups
3.
Review
Previous
Lessons
Answer any questions about the magazine project
New Material Teach different ways to layout magazines and give examples
Guided
Practice
Show full examples of different magazine layouts that students can work off of
Closure to
Lesson
Answer any questions, let groups work together for majority of time
Assignment Final draft of individual articles
Writing Assignment
The Defeat of the Wicked Squirrel King
Samantha Bueltmann
Final Draft
October 6, 2010
“Other people’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality.” – Les Brown
The treetops were thick with the members of the Branchbottom clan. All 107 of us had
united together to put a stop to the tyranny. For ten long months King Harold of Oakbark had
ruled over our neighborhood after discovering our hidden supply of nuts and berries. He
conquered our soldiers and easily took control, for we had been a peaceful clan. We preferred
to spend our time prancing through the fields and dancing with vividly colored butterflies instead
of training for battle. Now if we wanted to survive the long winter, we had no choice but to fall
under this evil squirrel’s rule. King Harold was not a kind leader, and although we spent all of
our energy building up his hoard, he barely gave us enough scraps to live. Finally, we had
enough of slavery and decided King Harold must be stopped.
*****
I will never forget the day that I received that call. I was enjoying the mild and sunny
late September afternoon after counting the day’s catch of acorns to store up for winter. I had
just settled in with my newest book, Contemporary Algebra, when I heard the rings coming from
upstairs in the big oak tree I called my home. My voicemail was broken so I sprinted up the
many layers of thick vegetation, just beginning to suggest the coming of fall, to reach the phone
just in time. Winded, I listened in surprise to the voice of my brother Kevin. It was the first time
I had heard from him in several months; we had fought at the Memorial Day picnic over who
won the six-legged race, and he usually stews for quite a bit longer than this.
“Finally called to apologize and admit defeat, loser?” It was always fun to taunt him.
“You know you could never beat me, Norman. You’re too puny and weak. I don’t know
how they think you could ever help, but for some reason Mom and Dad want you to come over
immediately. It’s time,” and he abruptly hung up.
Kevin didn’t need to say any more, for I knew what he meant immediately. My stunned
mind didn’t even get upset with him for picking on me. My whole body tensed up and
adrenaline began rushing through my veins. Fear overtook me momentarily, for this would be
quite dangerous, but then just as suddenly joy filled my insides. I leapt from tree to tree; I kissed
the sparrow in the cherry tree next door; I danced a brief polka with the chipmunk on the third
floor branches. After a moment I regained my composure and hurriedly packed up my things,
occasionally breaking into a nervous sweat. Once I had double-checked that my reading glasses
and plenty of crossword puzzles were packed, I swallowed some medicine for my queasy
stomach and headed out on the long journey across the neighborhood to my parents’ maple.
When I arrived everyone was already there. After the Branchbottoms shared some pecan
juice and blackberries, which is only done on special occasions, we got down to business. We
plotted a secret meeting after dark when we could sneak past the king’s sentries. As I dressed up
in my finest spy gear, a black jump-suit, the one without safety reflectors and a hole for my
bushy tail, my father walked by and stopped at my door. I hesitated in the middle of putting on
my night vision goggles to see what was bothering him.
“I am sorry son, but I think you should probably stay here and help your aunts and your
mother to take care of the kids. There isn’t much a little guy like you can do to help in this
matter. This is for the men to handle,” he said to me. “You just aren’t big enough or strong
enough for this fight.”
My whole body wilted at this and my tail touched the ground. “Why does everyone think
I am useless just because I am the runt?!” I cried in frustration into my pillow. Eventually a
fitful sleep found me, but suddenly I awoke drenched in a cold sweat. The sound of tears carried
me down the hallway, where my mother sat talking in hushed and urgent tones with some of the
men. I looked at them in a dazed confusion as they explained to me that the sentries had broken
up their meeting, and many had been arrested, including my father. Sobs burst out of my mouth
and tears streamed down my face as I thought of what this meant for us all. What would happen
to my dad? How would the elders make it through the winter on these meager rations? Old Man
Henry was already a bag of bones, and Granny Doris can only eat the berries because of her
gingivitis and generously spaced teeth. After a moment as all this rushed through my brain, I
was able to shake off my disbelief and to everyone’s surprise, including my own, I became a
squirrel of action.
“We must strike now! We can’t give up or we will always live in fear this way! They
will never expect another attack this soon, but it must be of a different sort. I have a plan, and
we will need everyone’s help!” I cried out as everyone stared in shock.
The family huddled around as I told them my plan. After gathering supplies, the whole
clan traveled far into the woods and started working all night long, sawing and hammering away.
At daybreak our work was finally finished. All of the squirrels gathered around the giant
wooden acorn on wheels and stared up in awe, jaws hanging open.
“There’s no way this is going to work, stupid,” Kevin sneered at me. “I can’t believe we
listened to you. This is ridiculous! You and your history books. Besides, it was mythology!”
I ignored him and started pushing the acorn back towards the king’s lair, and everyone
else followed suit. As we approached his lair, we were stopped by the sentries once again.
“Who goes there?” they yelled.
“It is I, Bartholomew of the Branchbottom clan,” responded my uncle. We wish to make
peace with the king for what our villainous brothers attempted to do last night. We knew nothing
about it, and we want to show our loyalty to King Harold with the gift of this giant acorn. The
sentries weren’t sure what to make of this, but they knew they had better get it to the king at
once.
“That’s the biggest acorn I’ve ever seen!” cried King Harold. “Get it to the food pantry
immediately while I decide how to deal with these filthy, scraggly rebels.”
Unfortunately for King Harold, the moment the giant acorn was in the pantry, the top of
the acorn was thrown off and the entire clan stormed out and started gathering all of our food
back. Since I was the smallest, I was able to sneak away in the chaos. I used a wooden splinter
from the acorn to pick the lock on the prisoners’ cell.
“I am so proud of you, Norman!” said my beaming father, a salty tear of joy in his eye.
“I will never doubt you again, for you have proven you have just as much strength as the rest of
us. It just lies in your heart and your brain instead of your muscles.”
“Guards, lower the gates! Not so fast, runt! So this is all your doing, eh? You think you
are so smart? We shall see about that!” Evil King Harold had found us. “I can’t overtake you
all, but I can keep you from leaving my lair. I propose a duel, just you against me, and the
winner gains complete control with no contest.”
“But I can’t beat you in a duel. Look at me!” I trembled with fear, but I knew I had no
choice. King Harold just snickered.
A tough looking sentry with a black mohawk and a scar across his right eye led me out
onto the edge of the street; King Harold strutted and bowed on the opposite side. His sentries
and guards watched from the neighboring yards in their box seats, while the rest of the
Branchbottom clan, all 106 of them, filled the treetops above in the nosebleed section. The
king’s pride and arrogance were so great that so he decided to let everyone out of the lair to
watch the duel. He could hardly wait for them all to witness my defeat. A wicked grin grew on
his face, curling up higher on the left side. He chuckled with glee as he envisioned us all in
shackles, gritting our teeth and holding back tears as we dug through the frozen January earth for
still more nuts for his collection. The cheering was deafening on all sides and from above. I was
frozen in fear. My mind went blank. Suddenly, as if in a dream, I heard it: inspirational music
echoing in the background of my brain, accompanied by my brother Kevin cheering me on.
“We need you Norman! You can save us all! I am sorry! I believe in you!”
Reality came crashing back at me and I saw King Harold about to rush at me from across
the street. I looked all around, and then up at the branches above us. I had been given one tiny
twig to use as a sword. Now I have never been any good at fencing, but I excel at physics, so I
calculated the distance from where I stood to where an acorn hung almost ready to fall, and I
determined the speed and velocity at which King Harold was charging me. Planting my feet into
the chilly, rough pavement, I launched my sword into the air with perfect precision, and the
acorn fell directly on the King’s head and knocked him out cold. The air filled with applause
from above. Three of the king’s men came out into the street and nudged him until they were
sure he was breathing, and then dragged him out of the street to the safety of the grass. The rest
prepared a gurney of leaves and started packing their belongings, for the Branchbottom squirrels
had won fair and square and the invaders had to leave the neighborhood now.
To my shock, the clan cried in unison, “Hail, Norman! Long live the new king! You
may not have the strength of a warrior, but you have the wisdom of a ruler! Hooray!”
*****
“Mom, look at all those squirrels!” exclaimed a girl walking by with her mother. “What
are they doing? There must be a hundred squirrels in that tree! That must have been the king of
all the squirrels in the neighborhood!”
Her mother just sighed and said, “Samantha, you have quite an imagination, don’t you?”