Lesson: The Koala Kid

Open the digital edition of the article and show students the photo of Izzy Bee holding a koala. Ask for students’ reactions to the photo. Explain that Izzy helps take care of injured koalas so that they can be released back into the wild. Show students the map, “Koalas in Decline,” on page 9. Ask students what they observe about koalas’ past and current ranges. Brainstorm possible reasons why the area in which koalas are found is shrinking.

Read the article aloud with the class, having one student read each section. Pause after each section to discuss. Ask questions like: What are marsupials, and how are they different from other mammals? What threats do koalas face? What kinds of special care do the animals need? How can humans help prevent them from going extinct in the wild?

Split the class in two and distribute the skills sheet “Temperature Trends” to half of the class and “Fire Weather Forecast” to the other half. Have students analyze the data in each sheet and answer the questions. Then have each student pair up with a classmate who worked on the other skills sheet and discuss what they learned from that data. Ask students: What evidence did you find that shows that the climate in Australia is changing? How do these changes put koalas at risk?

Ask students to describe their reactions to hearing how Izzy cares for the koalas. Does it look like fun or hard work? How is what Izzy and her family are doing different from keeping a koala as a pet? Have students complete the “Read and React” skills sheet independently. Then have them share their personal reactions to the story in small groups.

Have students complete the “Check for Understanding.” Then instruct them to respond to the post-reading question: What are two significant challenges koala populations face? Ask students to explain what is causing these challenges, as well as solutions that can help support koala populations.

⇨ SEL: This lesson plan contains social-emotional learning (SEL) support related to social awareness.

⇨ VIDEO EXTRA: Watch a clip from Izzy’s Koala World.