The Dolphin Hunters

1. Set Focus 
Pose this essential question: In what ways do animals and animal by-products play a role in American life?

2. Read and Discuss 
Have students read the article, marking key ideas and questions. Then ask them to answer the following questions, citing text evidence:

• Why do the people of Fanalei Island hunt dolphins? (The people of Fanalei Island hunt dolphins for meat to consume and barter with, but they mainly hunt dolphins for their teeth, which are used as a valuable local currency.)

• How have rising sea levels affected Fanalei Island? What impact has it had on dolphin hunts? (Rising sea levels are threatening the future of Fanalei Island. Encroaching salt water has made growing crops impossible, and research suggests that the island could be underwater by the end of the century. As a result, the threat of rising sea levels has made the dolphin hunts more important.)

• In the last paragraph, Lesley Fugui says that dolphin hunting is his people’s identity. What do you think he means? What can you infer from his statement about his people’s relationship to dolphin hunting? (Answers may vary but students may point out that if something is your people’s identity, that thing is fundamental to your culture and helps to define how you see yourself. Students may infer that the relationship between the people of Fanalei Island and dolphin hunting might be more than just economic.)

3. Core Skill Practice
Assign, print, or project the activity Making Connections. Have students use the graphic organizer to explore the causes and effects described in the article.

4. Writing Prompt
Beyond bills and coins, what are some things people have historically used as currency? Research and write about one you find interesting.

5. Classroom Debate
Should nations that pollute more compensate nations who are most at risk due to climate change?

6. Quiz & Skills
Use the quiz to assess comprehension and the Analyze the Graph skill sheet to practice data analysis.