Current Events Lesson Plan: March 2-8, 2017
Current Event: Lemurs Say Cheese
A team of lemur experts and computer scientists has developed a lemur facial recognition system to help identify and study the endangered animals. The biometric system, called LemurFaceID, uses computers to analyze photographs and video much like other systems that identify people. LemurFaceID differentiates the animals according to their eyes and skin patterns, while also noting body size or shape and the presence of scars or injuries. Because of hunting and habitat loss, the animals are critically endangered. Tracking lemurs in the wild helps scientists learn more about the animals’ habits and life cycles. Scientists can then develop fine-tuned conservation strategies to protect the animals. After LemurFaceID proves itself in the wild, the technology may be adjusted for the study of other animals, particularly those with variable facial hair and skin patterns such as bears, raccoons, red pandas, and sloths.
Objective:
Lemurs are long-tailed, furry mammals related to monkeys. Some kinds of lemurs resemble monkeys. Others look more like mice or squirrels. Scientists classify lemurs, along with human beings, apes, and monkeys, as primates. Lemurs live only in the island countries of Madagascar and Comoros, which lie off the southeast coast of Africa. Most lemurs inhabit trees most of the time. They eat fruit and leaves. They also eat birds and their eggs, and insects and other small animals. Lemurs have few enemies. There are few large predators in the region where they live. But many kinds of lemurs have become endangered. People have cut down many trees in the forests in which these animals lived. The Behind the Headlines news story and related World Book articles explore lemurs and other animals.
Words to know:
Discussion Topics:
1. Lemurs are found only in Africa. Ask your students what they know about Africa. (Students might say that Africa is the second largest continent in both area and population [behind only Asia in both categories]; Nigeria is Africa’s most populated country; the Sahara, the world’s largest desert, covers much of northern Africa; the Nile River, the world’s longest river, is in Africa; most of Africa has a warm or hot climate; animals native to Africa include elephants, giraffes, gorillas, hippopotamuses, lions, rhinoceroses, and zebras.)
2. Ask your students “If you could study any kind of animal, which one would you choose?”
3. Lemurs are an endangered species. Ask your students to use World Book’s Timelines feature to view or add to the Animal Extinctions Since 1600 timeline.