Landscape Development/Environmental Change Learning Activities

This zip file contains activities (108 pages of student handouts) which can be used to compose a unit on Landscapes Development and Environmental Change. Concepts that are addressed include but not limited to include; types of landscapes, arid and humid landscapes, glaciation influences on landscapes, drainage patterns, factors influencing geologic resistance, landscape hazards, human impacts including global climate change, acid precipitation and zone depletion, as well sustainable development. The learning objectives and specific contents of this set of materials is listed below. This set of activities is suited for many earth science, environmental science or physical science classes. With teacher guidance, many components in these materials are adaptable to an enriched middle level science curriculum.

All documents are in PowerPoint, word or pdf format to allow you to edit the documents to meet your needs. Most of the activities in this package of activities are well suited and easily modified for use in distance learning environments. Answer keys for all student activities are provided.

The specific contents of materials in the package are as follows:

• Learning Standards and Objectives (NGSS, Common Core, NY State Core Curriculum and Local Objectives) (3 pp.)
• Landscape Development and Environmental Change PowerPoint with 5 closure/ticket out activities (85 slides)
• Completion Notes to accompany the Landscape Development and Environmental Change PowerPoint (25 pp.)
• Landscape Development Worksheet 1 (7 pp.) (45 questions)
• Landscape Development Worksheet 2 (10 pp.) (40 questions)
• Landscape and Environmental Change Worksheet (11 pp.) (49 questions)
• Landscape Regions NY State Reference Table Worksheet (5 pp.) (20 questions)
• Population Growth Activity (compares logistic and exponential growth) (9 pp.)
• Lorax Story Interpretation Project (4 pp.)
• Humans and the Environment Activity (includes readings and 67 questions) (21 pp.)
• Landscape and Environmental Change Exam (13 pp.) (50 questions)
• Landscape Development and Environmental Change Jeopardy PowerPoint (31 questions) (74 slides)

Learning Standards and Objectives

NGSS Standards: (addressed in whole or in part)

HS-ESS2-2, HS-ESS2-4., HS-ESS3-1.,HS-ESS3-2., HS-ESS3-3., HS-ESS3-4. HS-ESS3-5. HS-ESS3-6.

Common Core State Connections:

ELA/Literacy: RST.11-12.1, RST.11-12.2, RST.11-12.7, RST.11-12.8, WHST.9-12.2
Mathematics: MP.2 and MP.4.

New York State Physical Setting/Earth Science Core Curriculum

Standard 2 Information Systems: Key Idea 3
Standard 6 Interconnectedness: Common Themes/Equilibrium and Stability: Key Idea 4
Standard 6 Interconnectedness: Common Themes/Patterns of Change: Key Idea 5
Standard 6 Interconnectedness: Common Themes/Optimization: Key Idea 6
Standard 7 Interdisciplinary Problem Solving: Connections: Key Idea 1
Standard 7 Interdisciplinary Problem Solving: Strategies: Key Idea 2
Standard 4: Key Idea 2: Performance Indicator 2.1:
Major Understandings 2.1 l, 2.1 p, 2.1 q, 2.1 r, 2.1 t, 2.1 u
Major Understandings 2.2: Performance Indicator 2.2: Major Understanding 2.2 d

Learning Objectives

Upon the completion of this unit the student will be able to:

1. list several differing characteristics of landscapes.
2. recognize contour maps, aerial photography and satellite images can be used to study and model landscape images.
3. calculate the gradient between two points.
4. utilize profiles to show the elevation, shape and slope of landscape features.
5. describe the chief features of the following landscapes; mountains, plateaus and plains.
6. recognize that landscape regions are usually defined by changes in rock characteristics.
7. describe some uplifting forces that can change landscapes.
8. describe some leveling forces that can change landscapes.
9. discuss the role of insolation and gravity in leveling forces.
10. recognize impact events have had a large influence on some Earth landscapes.
11. recognize other celestial objects in our solar system have been impacted more by impact events than the Earth.
12. explain how our atmosphere protects the Earth from many impact events.
13. distinguish between youth, mature and old age landscape changes.
14. recognize dynamic equilibrium exists when the rate of uplift equals the rate of leveling and erosion.
15. describe typical landscape characteristics associated with humid climates.
16. describe typical landscape characteristics associated with arid climates.
17. list some evidences supporting that a landscape has been glacially altered.
18. explain the formation of striations, kettles, drumlins, kames, moraines, finger lakes and erratics associated with glacial erosion and deposition.
19. recognize arid regions often have internal drainage.
20. define the term geologic resistance.
21. list several factors influencing geologic resistance.
22. discuss how folds, faults or joints may influence weathering.
23. explain what an escarpment is and how it is formed.
24. explain how ridges may be formed.
25. describe the landscapes and patterns formed by the following drainage systems; dendritic, trellis, radial and annular.
26. discuss some dangers associated with living on flood plains and along coastlines.
27. explain what is meant by liquefaction and why it can be hazardous.
28. explain what is meant by solifluction.
29. discuss several procedures for dealing with debris flows.
30. list some causes of desertification.
31. discuss some ways mining has had negative impacts of landscapes.
32. explain what is meant by a heat island.
33. discuss some hazards associated with pesticides and chemical fertilizers.
34. discuss problems associated with solid waste pollution.
35. recognize habitat disruption may result in the extinction of species.
36. explain what is meant by an ecological footprint.
37. list several different greenhouse gases.
38. list several major ways human have triggered the current unprecedented rate of global warming.
39. list several negative environmental impacts of global warming.
40. explain what is meant by acid precipitation.
41. discuss the composition of acid precipitation.
42. list some major sources of acid precipitation.
43. list several problems caused by acid precipitation.
44. list several ways the increased rate of global warming can be lessened.
45. list several methods to reduce the incidence of acid precipitation.
46. discuss the protective role of stratospheric ozone.
47. briefly explain how CFCs damage stratospheric ozone.
48. list some major sources of CFC pollution.
49. list several human successes in reference to habitat and landscape preservation.
50. discuss some positive and negative impacts of technology on habitats and landscapes.
51. define the term trade-off.
52. discuss some trade-offs between the environment and economics in reference to resource utilization.
53. discuss several ways natural hazards have altered human history.
54. explain what is meant by sustainable development.
55. define the term biodiversity.
56. list four reasons for preserving biodiversity.
57. list and describe technologies that reduce human impacts on the environment.

Terms of Use

Purchase of the product is for classroom use by the purchaser only. It is a violation for individuals, schools, and districts to redistribute or sell this item on the Internet or to other individuals. I do encourage you to use and edit these documents to suit your needs with your own students in distance learning environments.

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