Bats

• Bats are the only mammal capable of sustained flight.David De Lossy/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  Bats can be found in all locations except the extreme desert and polar regions. Several species of bat around the world are endangered. Children know about bats because of Batman and creepy vampire stories, but less well-known is the fact that bats are the only mammals capable of true flight and that they're extremely useful for keeping down destructive insect populations. Some types of fruit bat are almost cute. The destruction of bats habitats by humans is the greatest threat to their population, although fear of bats leads to their deliberate persecution in many parts of the world.
  
  

Monarch Butterfly

• The Monarch butterfly is known for its annual migration.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  With its bright markings, the Monarch butterfly is easy even for young children to recognize. This butterfly can be found all over America, and is most remarkable due to the heroic 3000 mile journey it makes to Southern California or Mexico for the winter. The main threat to this species is climate change, which is responsible for wetter winters. The butterfly can survive the cold but if already wet, it will freeze to death. Habitat loss is also a problem, particularly illegal logging in Mexico which deprives them of over-wintering shelter. The fragile beauty of this butterfly is appealing to children and the fact that it is only found in the Americas, makes it an especially suitable species to introduce to first and second graders.
  
  

Sharks

• Most young children fill with fear at the thought of sharks, however man-eaters are rare. Sharks have adapted to survive in a variety of ocean conditions, but many species are now at risk from human activity. Many are killed after being accidentally entangled in lines and nets intended for other fish, and others are deliberately targeted for their fins. These are used in shark fin soup and other dishes. The practice has been banned in some parts of the world, like Mexico, but more awareness is needed to extend the ban to other parts of the world.
  
  

Arctic Fox

• The Arctic fox looks cute and cuddly to children.Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  The arctic fox looks cute and cuddly, and it is also on the endangered list. Arctic foxes can be found in Scandinavia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Russia, Norway and Iceland. Arctic foxes are threatened by the advance of the red fox, in conjunction with the shrinking of the snow-covered areas in which they are uniquely adapted to thrive. The fur trade also targets the arctic fox. Universally appealing to young girls and boys, a good classroom project might be the adoption of one of these endangered creatures.