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Life Science Lesson Plans

MONICA DAVIS

NORTH LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE LEVEL AND COURSE

10-12 Grade Ecology

TOPIC:

Tall Grass Prairies of Arkansas

SYNOPSIS OF LESSON:

Students will compare the past and present range of tall grass prairie in Arkansas. Through readings which will be provided to the students, they will discover what has happened to the prairie, why it is unique, how it contributes to the biodiversity of Arkansas, and why efforts are being made to preserve what remains.

CONCEPTS:

The main concepts that are conveyed through this lesson include: biodiversity, ecosystems, natural communities, and succession.

OBJECTIVES:

Students will

1. Map locations of virgin prairie in Arkansas today.

2. Compare present locations of virgin prairie with locations in 1884.

3. Explain the cause of the decline of tall grass prairie in Arkansas.

4. Understand reasons for preserving remnants of prairie.

SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS:

mapping, collecting and recording data, critical thinking

CORRELATION TO:

National Science Standards: Content Standard A, Scientific Inquiry; Content Standard C, Life Science (interdependence of organisms); Content Standard F, Science in Personal and Social Perspectives

Arkansas Science Frameworks: 1.1.22: Understand that science is a process which describes a way of knowing and that it leads to a deeper understanding of natural phenomenon; 2.1.18: Understand the broad themes of science: systems, change, interactions, models, scale, and adaptation; 4.1.6: Understand that plants and animals have features that help them live in different environments; 4.1.9: Describe use and misuse of the environment by humans.

MATERIALS:

(a copy for each student)

"Tall Grass Prairie: A Quick Look," Bill Pell, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, 1986

"System of Arkansas Natural Areas," Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, 1997

"The Grand Prairie," Thomas Foti

81/2 x 11-inch map of Arkansas with counties outlined (one per group)

MANAGEMENT SUGGESTIONS:

Have students work in groups of 2 or 3. Have each group complete the questions, then come back together and discuss them as a class. This will require at least 2 class periods to complete.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

none

PROCEDURES:

1. Have students get in groups. Using "System of Arkansas Natural Areas," have students map locations of tall grass prairie in Arkansas, indicating on the map how many acres are found at each site.

2. Access the Internet to see if there are any other areas of virgin prairie that are not managed by Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. Be sure to check the Nature Conservancy site. (Maybe even e-mail Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission or Nature Conservancy asking for information on virgin prairie that they are aware of that is privately owned.)

3. Map any additional locations of prairie discover as a result of step #2.

4. Handout copies of the 1884 map (from the B. Pell paper) to each group. Have them compare their current map with the 1884 map. Then, answer the following questions:

a. How do the two maps compare?

b. What do you think caused the changes between 1884 and today?

5. Have students read "Tall Grass Prairie: A Quick Look," and "The Grand Prairie," then answer the following questions:

a. What actually did contribute to the loss of prairie in Arkansas?

b. How do prairies contribute to the biodiversity of Arkansas?

c. Why is it important to preserve prairies, not only in Arkansas, but world wide?

d. What can be done to preserve what remains of Arkansas’ prairie? What is actually being done to preserve Arkansas’ prairie?

6. Discuss the answers to the foregoing questions as a class. The teacher should fill in any gaps that the students may have missed.

EXPECTED RESULTS:

Students will see that very little of Arkansas’ original prairie remains. Human activities, such as agriculture and prevention of fires, have severely disturbed the tall grass ecosystems. Tracts of prairie have been purchased where possible to manage them and preserve them or return them to a natural state where possible. Management means protecting them from human encroachment, and burning periodically. Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission is currently working on prairie restoration project on the Grand Prairie.

EXTENSIONS:

Invite guest speakers to come talk about prairie restoration projects in the state. Possible speakers include Tom Foti, with Arkansas Natural Heritage commission; Bill Pell with Ouachita National Forest; or Ed Dale, retired from the University of Arkansas.
Do the same activity but apply it to virgin forest in Arkansas.

ASSESSMENT SUGGESTIONS:

Use maps completed by students for assessment purposes--is the information complete?

Accurately mapped?

At the end of the activity, use the questions from steps 4 and 5 of the procedure as a basis for assessment. Do this as a class discussion, having a spokesperson form each group share what their group has come up with.