By Shirley Tisdale

IS 139, Mathematics

Introduction:

Recently neighboring residents of New Jersey , Connecticut and not so far away in Virginia, have been complaining about the fact that wild bear have been invading their space. Some bears would have entered the homes of these families if it were not for the loud sounds of gunfire frightening them away. No bears were harmed this time but there are plans to kill some bears to reduce the population and save our neighborhoods from destruction. Should the bear be left alone to wander through the urban cities at random or should the bear be killed to prevent the population of bears to continue?

Task:

Each group will answer the following questions:

(1) What is the appearance of the American Black Bear?

(2) What is the size of the male? Is there a significant difference between the male and female?

(3) Normally, bear are found in what type of area?

(4) How many states in the United States will you find bear?

(5) How often do bear mate?

(6) What is the social system like for these animals?

(7) What kind of diet do they have?

(8) Have humans been attacked by this animal?

(9) Have other animals been attacked by this animal?

(10) Are there reported statistics on fatalities (human or other)?

(11) Are there accidents involving the bear each year?

Process:

(1) Students will form two groups (a) Animal Rights and (b) Neighborhood Protection

(2) Each group will use the internet to explore the public policies, history and characteristics

of the ‘bear’ as set forth under the animal rights law

(3) Each group will prepare a report and use it to defend their case either for or against the killing of the bears

Resources:

Yellowstone camping, hotels, maps, wolves, geysers

"Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance," by Dr. Stephen Herrero. published by Lyons and Burford

http://animalrights.about.com/

http://animalrights.miningco.com/

http://www.ph.utexas.edu/~rwynar/AnimalRights.htm/

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/bearcam/links.html

Learn how to live with Black Bear

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Somethings%20bruin.htm#CAMPING PREVENTION

Evaluation: Rubric

Category	Below Standards	Meets Standards	Above Standards
Oral Debate	1	2	3
Research Information	1	2	3
Final Report	1	2	3

Conclusion :

This document was presented to enlighten the middle school population about the different contributions that they can make toward influencing the way their neighborhood views wild animals, namely the “Bear”.