Lesson Plan #3
Duration: 1 day
Objectives:
Students will identify ways deserts are formed.
Students will illustrate ways deserts are formed by conducting experiments.
Students will graph information gathered using a spreadsheet.
Students will go on a virtual fieldtrip to find the information.
Materials:
Computer with Internet access
Spreadsheet software
Materials for experiments:
#1 Medium sized rectangular cake pan, sand, assorted pebbles, stones, and straws
#2 5 tablespoons of salt, 2 cups of water, glass loaf pan, ruler.
#3 1/4 cup measuring scoop, water, poultry baster, sand large paper cups, salt shaker
Key Vocabulary:
Desertification: the creation of new deserts and dry areas from more moist or damper lands by human activities like farming or draining away water.
Rain Shadow: rain falls on the sides of mountains that face a water source rather than on the sheltered sides of mountains.
Evaporation: the change of liquid to a gas.
Weathering: a breakdown of rocks caused by wind, rain, and temperature changes.
Procedures:
Discuss with students how deserts are formed using background information on, weather patterns, cloud cover, rain shadow, desertification, weathering.
Conduct experiments to experience hands-on the process of desert formations.
Students will create sand patterns to find out how sand dunes work.
Students will find out how water helps to shape the desert.
Students will find out how Salt Flats are formed.
Students will graph their finds in a spreadsheet to create graph on results.
Assessment:
Teacher will evaluate students on their participation in the experiments.
Teacher will check students' spreadsheet and graphs.
Home Learning:
On manila paper, students will illustrate how deserts are formed.
Students will fold the paper into four equal parts and draw pictures to illustrate and label.