Day 2

Title Changing the Land

Purpose/Rationale - Show students the effect of development on a

natural landscape.
- Measure the amount of development in an
area to determine the effect of that development.
- Create a landscape that works in nature
rather than against it.

Community Resources Connection to your own community through looking at

and meetings needs of Blacksburg specifically.
particular population View how developments in your neighborhood affect the
of students habitat around it.

Virginia SOLs 6.1.b precise and approximate measurements are recorded

6.1.c scale models are used to estimate distance, volume and
quantity
6.1.g data are collected, recorded, analyzed, and reported
using metric measurements and tools
6.1.i models and simulations are designed and used to
illustrate and explain phenomena and systems
6.1.j current applications are used to reinforce science
concepts
6.9.c the mitigation of land-use and environmental hazards
through preventative measures

Materials Map of Blacksburg (per student), Activity sheets, rulers,

blank sheet of paper (answer sheet)

Safety and Class - Be aware of the presence of other students

Management Issues
and make sure to share materials if there are not
enough.
- Watch students to ensure that they do not get
aggressive with their rulers and start hitting each
other with them.

Procedures for Teaching (numbered with time frame)

Engage (10 min) Look at a map of Blacksburg

Procedure:
1. Look at the map of Blacksburg.
2. Find areas of natural land and developed
land.
3. Measure the area of each.
4. Look at your numbers and write down some
 observations.
Discussion with students:
- What did your numbers tell you?
- Why is this important to look at?
- What is the implementation of this?

Explore (30 min) Changing the Land

Procedure:
1. Divide class into groups of 3 or 4 students.
2. Give each student a copy of Student
Reference Sheets A and B. Ask students to read this
information
3. Have students read the Wood Thrush Creek
Scenario: Present.
4. Students will use a ruler to measure the area
of the Wood Thrush Creek Scenario: Present.
5. Ask students to read Wood Thrush Creek:
Scenario A. Make sure students understand the
symbols at the bottom of maps Future: 10 Years and
Future: 20 Years
6. Students will answer the questions on a blank
sheet of paper.
7. Students will then measure the Wood Thrush
nesting areas using a ruler.
8. Ask students to read Wood Thrush Creek:
Scenario B.
9. Students will answer the questions again on a
blank sheet of paper.
10. In this section, students will create their own
development on these maps for Future: 10 Years and
Future: 20 Years.
11. Have each group share their findings.

Explain (10 min) Make your own development:

(include key
vocabulary/concepts as
related to exploration)
1. Ask students to read Wood Thrush Creek:
Scenario B.
2. Students will answer the questions again on a
blank sheet of paper.
3. In this section, students will create their own
development on these maps for Future: 10 Years and
Future: 20 Years.
4. Have groups share their findings and
reasonings behind their decisions.

Elaborate (5 min) Discussion of The Role of Subtle Forest Fragmentation in

Amphibian Declines.
- Background: In Monongahela National
 Forest, which is located in West Virginia, Michael
Lannoo studied the effect of trails on the populations
of salamanders. What he discovered was that the
Cheat Mountain salamander population was being
divided because their habitat was being fragmented
by the different trails in the forest.
- Discussion Questions:
- What do you think caused the
salamander population to be divided?
- Why do you think they became
divided?
- What may have happened to
their resources?
- How do you think humans
have impacted other environments like this?
- What can you do to fix it?
- Write the 3-2-1 Exit Slip
- 3 things I understood
- 2 things I am still wondering
about
- 1 thing that will me learn
tomorrow

Formative Activity Sheet

3-2-1 Exit Slip Formative Assessment

Summative N/A

Activity Sheet Attached.

Name____________________________

Locate the Natural and Developed Land in Your Community

Directions: Locate the areas of developed and natural land on this map of Blacksburg. Using a
ruler, measure each location as best as you can and record below.
NOTE: Green areas are natural land and pink areas are developed.

Percentage of developed land ______________

Percentage of natural land ______________

Observations:
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.