On this day in 1910, animal rights activist Joy Adamson was born.

Naturalist Joy Adamson's novel Born Free made people aware of the dreadful loss of habitat and wildlife in Kenya, where she and her husband George lived. She pledged all the money earned by her books to wildlife preservation. She was murdered in Kenya on January 3, 1980, by a servant.

Chances are that your students have never seen the movie Born Free. Frequently, younger students do not realize that lions are in the cat family, and this video provides an excellent springboard to a study of cats for students in grades K-2. Create a KWL chart on cats and begin researching these fascinating animals. Students can use the ReadWriteThink Animal Study student interactive to organize the information they gather about lions. Try the Investigating Animals: Using Nonfiction for Inquiry-based Research or Animal Study: From Fiction to Facts lesson plans for more structured activities.

Older students can take action to help ensure the survival of endangered species, such as the Cape Lion, by writing persuasive letters lobbying for programs and resources that protect the animals and their habitats. The Can You Convince Me? Developing Persuasive Writing lesson plan provides all the resources required for such a project.

• Creature Feature: Lions
  

  This National Geographic site brings the sounds and images of lions in their natural habitat to your classroom. Resources include audio and video clips.

• Great Cats
  

  Learn about the cats who make their home at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Included are links to information about conservation, an image gallery, and a "Tiger Cam."

• The Wild Ones
  

  Read about the work of conservationists to save endangered animals at this Wildlife Trust website. Students are introduced to the concept of "bioscapes," regions that are mixtures of human-use areas and natural habitats.

• Cyber Tiger
  

  Students name their own virtual tiger at this National Geographic website. They work to ensure his survival by building him a home, feeding him, and providing him with toys.