Ask the class to consider the geography or location of a famous book they’ve read, such as Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island or Jack London’s Call of the Wild. Discuss how the book may have been different given a different location. For example: What would Treasure Island be like if there had been no Spy Glass Hill on the island? In Call of the Wild, how would Buck’s life have been different if the author had set his story in the California gold rush rather than the Alaska gold rush? Talk about how the topography and location of a novel adds a significant dimension to the story.
2.
Brainstorm and prepare a class list of previously read books that have some significant geographical features in their settings.
3.
Have students select one book and list the topographical features encountered in the story.
4.
Then ask students to draw a map on their overhead transparency sheets, incorporating the topographical features they identified. Students should label the geographical terms on their map.
5.
Have students share their maps on the overhead screen with the class and explain how geography affected the events of their story. How did the topography affect the plot or the characters? How would the story have changed if the landscape had been different? Challenge them to change the location of the story and create a new title for the book.
6.
If the technology facilities are available, the project could also be done on the computer using drawing software.
Adaptation for older students:
Once students have selected a book to study, have them identify the topographical features in the story and explain how they affected the plot and the characters. Then ask them to think of a different geographical location for the story and create a brief summary of the new story. How did the events and characters change?
You can evaluate your students’ maps by using a four-point rubric:
Four points: map includes a complete key to landforms, a detailed list of definitions of terms, elements of creativity and attractive design, and detailed use of illustrations and lettering
Three points: map includes a key to landforms, a list of definitions of terms, some elements of creativity and attractive design, and use of illustrations and lettering
Two points: map includes a brief key to landforms, a brief list of definitions of terms, a few elements of creativity and attractive design, and use of some illustrations and lettering
One point: map includes an incomplete key to landforms, an incomplete list of definitions of terms with few facts, a disorganized design, and use of some illustrations and lettering
Landform Letters
If you don’t currently have e-pals for your class, find a partner class to share information about local geography and interesting landforms. If you can, don’t reveal your partner school’s location. First, have your students exchange information about favorite recreational activities and the important products and crops for their state or country. Ask your class to predict the types of landforms found near their e-pals based on the list. Then have your students prepare a detailed topographical map of their area with definitions of the various landforms. If they don’t know their partner’s location, use a topographical map of the United States to make a guess. Exchange the maps with your e-pals and verify if their predictions were correct. What landforms do they have in common? Compare and contrast the activities and landforms.
Comparing U.S. Faults and Earthquakes
One of the most frightening and surprising events to experience is an earthquake. Scientists are now challenging the commonly held assumption that earthquakes are not predictable. They are studying faults and making recommendations for creating structures that can survive earthquakes. The Earth’s faults provide the keys to these forecasts. Divide the class into groups and have them research the fault histories of U.S. states, such as California, Washington, Alaska, Utah, and Missouri. Create a chart that compares their history and any recent theories that geologists have published on the faults.
A Short History of Planet Earth: Mountains, Mammals, Fire, and Ice
MacDougall, J.D., New York: John Wiley, 1996
This book presents an overview of the earth’s four and a half billion years.
Collision Earth! The Threat from Outer Space: Meteorite and Comet Impacts
Grego, Peter, New York: Blandford, 1998
The earth’s geography has been shaped by inside as well as outside forces, this book recounts stories of known meteors and their earth shaping effects. It also tells of upcoming meteor showers and tips for amateur sky watching.
Ask-A-Geologist
Questions about volcanoes, earthquakes, mountains, rocks, maps, ground water, lakes, or rivers are answered by a geologist via e-mail.
EE-Link
Major website for environmental education resources on the Internet. Includes classroom resources, student web sites, searchable database for such topics as "erosion".
USGS (United States Geological Survey)
Lesson plans and resources for teachers, across the grade levels. Emphasis on "hands-on" learning and the use of technology tools. USGS offers a wealth of resources.
Kids Web
A comprehensive digital learning resource library and information portal, especially designed with kids, families, and educators.
Encyclopedia.com
Encyclopedia article about the processes by which the surface of the earth is worn away. Links to other encyclopedia entries and lists of related articles / resources.
Definition: Forces that cause erosion, including running water, wind, waves, gravity, and glaciers. Context: The agents of erosion were evident as one viewed the deep crevices in the canyon.
Definition: The process by which weathered materials are carried by erosion and deposited in new places, building new landforms. Context: The geologist had spent considerable time analyzing the deposition on the mountain.
Definition: A weak point of fracture in the Earth’s crust where the rock layers have ruptured or slipped, or both. Context: A new fault was identified after the devastating earthquake.
Definition: A series of natural processes by which rocks are slowly changed from one kind of rock to another. Context: The students tried to classify the pebbles that they found according to the rock cycle.
Definition: An opening from which lava and gases from the Earth’s interior may flow. Context: The tourists at the volcano site were told not to approach the vents due to safety concerns.
This lesson plan may be used to address the academic standards listed below. These standards are drawn from Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K-12 Education: 2nd Edition and have been provided courtesy of the Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning in Aurora, Colorado.
Grade level: 6-8 Subject area: Science Standard:
Understands basic Earth processes. Benchmarks:
Knows how landforms are created through a combination of constructive and destructive forces (e.g., constructive forces such as crustal deformation, volcanic eruptions, and deposition of sediment; destructive forces such as weathering and erosion).
Grade level: 6-8 Subject area: Science Standard:
Understands basic Earth processes. Benchmarks:
Knows how successive layers of sedimentary rock and the fossils contained within them can be used to confirm the age, history, and changing life-forms of the Earth, and how this evidence is affected by the folding, breaking, and uplifting of layers.
Grade level: 6-8 Subject area: Science Standard:
Understands basic Earth processes. Benchmarks:
Knows processes involved in the rock cycle (e.g., old rocks at the surface gradually weather and form sediments that are buried, then compacted, heated, and often recrystallized into new rock; this new rock is eventually brought to the surface by the forces that drive plate motions, and the rock cycle continues).
