Begin the lesson by introducing the Grand Canyon as one of the most remarkable natural landscapes in the world, shaped by the Colorado River over millions of years.
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The Grand Canyon
Learning Objectives
- Understand how the Grand Canyon was formed by the erosion of the Colorado River over millions of years.
- Describe the size and scale of the Grand Canyon, including its length, depth, and width.
- Identify the role of water in shaping landscapes through the process of weathering and erosion.
- Visualize potential future changes to the Grand Canyon based on ongoing erosion by the Colorado River.
Introduction and Hook
Show an image of the Grand Canyon to capture students' interest and spark curiosity about how such a massive canyon was formed.
Direct Instruction
Explain the process of erosion and how the Colorado River has carved out the Grand Canyon over millions of years.
Describe the size and scale of the Grand Canyon, emphasizing its length, depth, and width to help students visualize its enormity.
Guided Exploration
Watch the video titled 'The Grand Canyon' to see how the Colorado River has shaped this vast landscape over time. The video also highlights the canyon's impressive dimensions and geological history.
Discuss the role of water in shaping landscapes through weathering and erosion, using the Grand Canyon as a case study.
Hands-On Activity
Engage students in a hands-on activity by having them create a model of a canyon using materials like sand, water, and rocks to simulate erosion.
Use the 'Modeling Land and Water' assessment to explore landforms and water movement. This activity helps students understand erosion by observing water flow over their models.
Independent Practice
Have students complete the 'Earth’s Landforms' assessment to reinforce their understanding of different landforms, including canyons.
Check for Understanding
Conduct a quick quiz to assess students' understanding of how the Grand Canyon was formed and the role of erosion in shaping landscapes.
Try the QuizReview and Reflection
Facilitate a class discussion to reflect on what students have learned about the Grand Canyon and the processes of weathering and erosion.
Encourage students to visualize and discuss potential future changes to the Grand Canyon based on ongoing erosion by the Colorado River.
Assessment and Extension
Use the 'Earth’s Water' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of different bodies of water and their characteristics, reinforcing their knowledge of the role of water in shaping landscapes.
For further exploration, have students research and present on other famous canyons around the world, comparing their formation processes and geographical features.
