How was the Grand Canyon formed?
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/07/g35/canyon35.html
A lesson plan for grades 3 and 5 Science and Social Studies
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In this Xpeditions lesson, student explore how the Grand Canyon was formed, focusing on how the process of erosion enabled its rock layers to be deposited. Activities in this lesson, engage students in development of map-reading and visual literacy skills, and whole class discussion.
Students will:
- locate the Grand Canyon on a map;
- brainstorm how the Grand Canyon might have formed;
- view a web site to help them understand the concept of erosion;
- analyze a photograph of the Grand Canyon’s rock layers;
- view and discuss drawings of the Grand Canyon region as its various layers were deposited; and
- create posters showing what the Grand Canyon looks like today and what it looked like when one of its layers was deposited.
Xpeditions provides detailed directions for completing the lesson, suggestions for assessment and extension activities, discussion questions, and links to necessary web resources.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 5
- Goal 2: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of landforms.
- Objective 2.01: Identify and analyze forces that cause change in landforms over time including:
- Water and Ice.
- Wind.
- Gravity.
- Objective 2.02: Investigate and discuss the role of the water cycle and how movement of water over and through the landscape helps shape land forms.
- Objective 2.03: Discuss and consider the wearing away and movement of rock and soil in erosion and its importance in forming:
- Canyons.
- Valleys.
- Meanders.
- Tributaries.
- Objective 2.05: Discuss how the flow of water and the slope of the land affect erosion.
- Objective 2.06: Identify and use models, maps, and aerial photographs as ways of representing landforms.
- Objective 2.01: Identify and analyze forces that cause change in landforms over time including:
Social Studies (2003)
Grade 5
- Goal 1: The learner will apply key geographic concepts to the United States and other countries of North America.
- Objective 1.01: Describe the absolute and relative location of major landforms, bodies of water,and natural resources in the United States and other countries of North America.
- Objective 1.03: Compare and contrast the physical and cultural characteristics of regions within the United States, and other countries of North America.
