Read the story "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" with the class. Ask the students to count the number of times the brown bear appears in the story. Then, ask them to estimate how many brown bears they think might be left in the continental United States. Discuss the actual number (1,000 to 1,500 brown bears) with the class, and write the numbers on the board so they can see the actual figures.
Because jaguars are an endangered animal, use them as a basis for preschool math activities that teach patterns. Before the lesson, print off various circles and color them to look like jaguar spots. Create a variety of spots to represent a number of patterns. Select a pattern (for example, brown spot, black spot, brown spot) and display it for the class. Then, ask the students to guess the next spot in the pattern. Use this technique to create a variety of different patterns, depending on the math abilities of your preschoolers. Extend this lesson and study the distinct spots of jaguars, their habitat and food preferences.
The number of endangered animals varies depending on the location. In some places, more of the animals exist, and in other places, there are fewer animals. Discuss these facts with the preschool children and teach them the concept of more and less, than using the actual numbers of endangered animals. Show them that the bigger the number, the larger it is. Illustrate this concept to your preschoolers by showing pictures of the animals to represent the actual numbers left in that location. You might have one picture represent 1,000 of the animals. This activity will give them a concrete example of "more than" and "less than," an important preschool math concept.
The concept of measurement can be taught to preschool children at a very basic level. Choose an endangered animal to discuss with your class. Show them photos of the real thing, and then tell them the actual length of the animal. Cut strings to the length of the animal you have chosen, and have students compare this length string to objects around the classroom. Ask them to record their findings and note items in the class that are both bigger and smaller than the actual animal.
After this, discuss the role of size in endangered species. Talk about how smaller animals might become more endangered because of predators, and how large animals can become endangered because of humans hunting them for sport.