Lesson Plan - The Future of Ferrets

Watch the Video
Build background knowledge with the video “What You Need to Know About Cloning.” Discuss: Based on the video, what are some of the important milestones or steps in the history of cloning?

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

• cells
• conservationists

Set a Purpose for Reading
As students read, have them think about whether cloning is a good way to try to save an endangered species.

1. Based on the article, what is DNA and what does it do?
The article explains that DNA is material inside cells. It determines traits that are passed down from parents, like the color of someone’s eyes.
^{(RI.4.4 Determine Meaning)}

2. Summarize the main ideas of the section “Prairie Problems.”
The section “Prairie Problems” is about how black-footed ferrets nearly died out. These ferrets became endangered because farmers killed many of the prairie dogs ferrets eat and because of habitat loss and disease. Scientists thought black-footed ferrets became extinct, but in 1981 they found some and started a breeding program.
^{(RI.4.2 Summarize)}

3. Why do some scientists believe cloning black-footed ferrets can help keep the species healthy?
Many scientists believe that cloning black-footed ferrets can help keep the species healthy because most ferrets alive today are closely related. That can cause health problems. The clones, created from a ferret that lived long ago, are not as closely related. They can have babies and help introduce new DNA into the ferret population.
^{(RI.4.1 Text Evidence)}

FEATURED SKILL: Key Details
Ask students if they’ve heard of the “five W’s and one H” of news articles (who, what, when, where, why, and how). Distribute the skill builder “Be a News Detective” and have students answer these questions for this article.
^{(RI.4.2 Key Details)}