Kings of the Kalahari
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/08/g68/lionkings.html
A lesson plan for Grade 7 Social Studies and Science
About this resource
- Appropriate grades
- 7
- Subjects
- science (biology and life science), social studies (Africa), thinking skills (higher order thinking, information literacy, research skills, visual literacy), education technology (integrating technology), teaching methods (cooperative learning, discussions, online learning)
- Provider
- National Geographic
Legal
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In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore the defining characteristics of deserts, the physical geography and biota—or flora and fauna—of the Kalahari Desert, and the biological adaptations (in structures, behaviors, and physiology) that enhance lions' (and other cats') survival and reproductive success in such a demanding ecosystem. Activities in this lesson engage students in whole class discussion, collaborative group work, and online research.
Students will:
- discuss their knowledge of and experience(s) in/with desert environments;
- research information and answer questions related to general desert environment characteristics, the Kalahari Desert, and the biological adaptations that have enhanced cats' survival;
- examine and discuss the impact(s) of environmental change on life within an ecosystem (e.g., lions in the Kalahari Desert); and
- work in groups to produce a mural depicting plant and animal life in the Kalahari Desert.
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
Social Studies (2003)
Grade 7
- Goal 1: The learner will use the five themes of geography and geographic tools to answer geographic questions and analyze geographic concepts.
- Objective 1.02: Generate, interpret, and manipulate information from tools such as maps, globes, charts, graphs, databases, and models to pose and answer questions about space and place, environment and society, and spatial dynamics and connections.
- Objective 1.03: Use tools such as maps, globes, graphs, charts, databases, models, and artifacts to compare data on different countries of Africa, Asia, and Australia and to identify patterns as well as similarities and differences.
- Goal 2: The learner will assess the relationship between physical environment and cultural characteristics of selected societies and regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia.
- Objective 2.01: Identify key physical characteristics such as landforms, water forms, and climate and evaluate their influence on the development of cultures in selected African, Asian and Australian regions.
- Objective 2.03: Examine factors such as climate change, location of resources, and environmental challenges that influence human migration and assess their significance in the development of selected cultures in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
Science (2005)
Grade 7
- Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
- Objective 1.01: Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.05: Analyze evidence to:
- Explain observations.
- Make inferences and predictions.
- Develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
- Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
- Communicate findings.
- Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.09: Use technologies and information systems to:
- Research.
- Gather and analyze data.
- Visualize data.
- Disseminate findings to others.
- Objective 1.10: Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
- Scientific text.
- Articles.
- Events in the popular press.
