Activity 4: Louisiana's Environment (GLEs: 14, 15)
CC: Provide students with a physical map of Louisiana as well as a topographical map. From these maps, have students compile a list of pros and cons (benefits and challenges) of the Louisiana physical environments on inhabitants and then write a postcard to an imagined recipient in France, Spain, or Germany noting where they have chosen to settle and why.
Use MS Publisher to create a postcard showing the location of settlement and write a brief explanation of the locale choice.
Web Resources: A Louisiana outline map is available at: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/usa/states/louisiana/outline/map.GIF. Students will then locate the required points on this map. They may use text books or the websites below for the location of these items.
http://www.netstate.com/states/maps/la_maps.htm http://wwwlamap.doa.state.la.us/
CC: As a class, brainstorm a list of environmental modifications the settlers would attempt to perform on Louisiana landforms, natural resources, and plant and animal life. From that list, divide students into information exploration teams to find out more about these and other modifications. Have students write a companion piece to the preceding postcard, but this time they will analyze, evaluate, and predict future consequences of these modifications in a letter to future Louisiana inhabitants.
In addition to aforementioned activity, the teacher should note contemporary environmental modifications (e.g., levees [river systems], spillways [Bonnet Carre, Atchafalaya], dams [Toledo Bend, Vidalia], weirs [wetlands], and reforestation). Students are asked to consider its pros and cons and whether these modifications should be eradicated (predict consequences economically and geographically).
Use Inspiration to brainstorm a list of modifications to their environment. Use MS Word to write a companion letter to the postcard describing possible future consequences for Louisiana inhabitants.
Web Resources: Brief history of the state, including a timeline list of events: http://www.state.la.us/about_history2.htm A site containing a Louisiana history timeline: http://www.enlou.com/time/timelineindex.htm |
