WebQuest Lesson Plan: Introduce Fourth Graders to the Grand Canyon
Teachers
Place students in groups to use websites and books to complete a task.
Objective
Describe how regions and places have distinct characteristics (e.g., Grand Canyon, Colorado River, Casa Grande Ruin, Walnut Canyon, Montezuma Castle, Canyon de Chelly, Rocky Mountains, Rio Grande River, Yucatan Peninsula). SS04-S04-C02-04
Introduction
Students, you are about to embark on an adventure to one of the great wonders of the world. Each group will learn about one feature of the famous Grand Canyon in Arizona. Then we will all come together to share what we have learned.
Group Topics
1. “Wildlife in the Grand Canyon”
Your task is to create a collage of pictures and drawings with labels of wildlife in the Grand Canyon.
https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/nature/wildlife.htm
The Incredible Grand Canyon by Scott Thybony
2. “Grand Canyon’s Native American Tribes”
Your task is to list facts about the tribes and include drawings or models of their shelters.
https://www.mygrandcanyonpark.com/native-american-tribes/
Where is the Grand Canyon by Jim O’Connor
3. “Grand Canyon Facts”
Your task is to present facts to the class using flash cards or a poster with accompanying pictures.
https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/earth/grandcanyon.html
Where is the Grand Canyon? by Jim O’Connor
Grand Canyon National Park by Nate Frisch
Wonders of the World: Grand Canyon by Michelle Lomberg
4. “John Wesley Powell”
Powell was a Civil War veteran who led a group down the Colorado River taking them through the Grand Canyon. His group is believed to be the first group to take this trip. Your task is to dress like one of the members of Powell’s group and describe the adventures you had on the trip.
https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/photosmultimedia/powell_photos.htm
https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/kidsyouth/upload/Human-History_Final_8-6-13.pdf
5. “Map of the Grand Canyon”
Your task is to draw a map of the Grand Canyon and include the bordering states and the Colorado River.
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/maps.htm
https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/upload/grcamap2.pdf
Grand Canyon National Park by Nate Frisch
Evaluation
Now that you have completed and presented your task to the class, it is time for you to evaluate your work. Think honestly about the job that you did on this lesson. On a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the best) respond to each of these statements with a number.
My work was neatly done and easy to read. ______
My spelling was correct. __________
I cooperated with the members in my group and did my fair share. _______
I learned many things about the Grand Canyon. ___________
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed our “trip” to the Grand Canyon. Someday you may travel there, if you haven’t already, and you will find that it is more magnificent than you ever expected. Traveling helps you appreciate the spectacular planet on which we live.
References
- Lomberg, Michelle. Wonders of the World: Grand Canyon. AV by Weigl, 2013.
- Photos courtesy of Patricia Gable.
- O’Connor, Jim. Where is the Grand Canyon? Grosset and Dunlap, 2015.
- Thybony, Scott. The Incredible Grand Canyon. Grand Canyon Association, 2007.
- Frisch, Nate. Grand Canyon National Park. Creative Education, 2014.