This thematic unit on endangered ecosystems provides an introduction to the characteristics of ecosystems as well as a focus on characterics, threats, and efforts to protect specific types of ecosystems such as rainforests, wetlands, and the Antarctic Ecosystem. The unit presents content and activities across several disciplines, including science, reading, Language Arts, Geography, drama, and others. It includes 10 complete, highly engaging lesson plans that appeal to different learning modalities, incorporate technology, include adaptations for exceptional learners, and are aligned to Illinois State Learning Standards. The complete unit plan also includes a unit overview, links to student materials and additional resources, student masters, and descriptions of the ideal learning environment and learning center activities to incorporate throughout the unit.