Positives

• The text provides clear definitions to distinguish between native, alien, and invasive species.
• Students learn about some of the methods being used to control invasive species.

Additional Prerequisites

• Students should be familiar with ecosystems.
• The link in the Grateloupia Turuturu section is broken.
• Some students may benefit from having the terms brackish, ballast waters, and others defined before reading the article.

Differentiation

• To learn more about how climate change is impacting invasive species, students can check out some of the articles from the Native Invasive Species Information Center, which is linked in the text.
• Students can research an invasive species or a native species at risk due to an invasive species and present what they learn with the class. This article can be a starting point to understand the differences and see some examples.
• Earth science classes can focus more on the connections with climate change, and life science classes can emphasize the connection to ecosystems and biodiversity.
• English language arts classes can use this article to practice reading informational or scientific text.
• Students can research and discuss the economic impacts of invasive species.