1. Set Focus
Frame the inquiry with this essential question: How do we best protect animals from becoming endangered or extinct?
2. Read and Discuss
Have students read the debate and then answer the following questions:
- What is the issue being debated? How does it relate to current events? (The issue is whether keeping animals in zoos is ethical. The issue is timely because zoo attendance has increased during the pandemic as people have sought more outdoor recreational activities.)
- Evaluate why these two authors might be interested in and qualified to comment on this issue. (Dan Ashe heads up an organization that represents zoos and aquariums and promotes species conservation. Emma Marris researched and wrote a book about how living in captivity affects animals.)