A natural resource is something that occurs in nature and is used to make products that contribute to a region’s economy. Some of the natural resources in the West region are wood, salt, pineapples, potatoes, oil, and a variety of minerals. For this activity, students will create a 3-5 cell spider map that illustrates different natural resources from the West. Spider maps are an excellent tool to help students organize facts in a systematic and visual manner. To differentiate, teachers may choose to give the students a certain number of cells to create, or have the students choose between 3, 4, and 5 cells.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a 3-5 cell spider map explaining the natural resources of the West.
Student Instructions:
Begin by introducing the concept of natural resources and the importance of global sustainability. Explain how human activities can impact the environment and the need for responsible resource management.
Guide students in exploring various natural resources, both local and global, and their impact on sustainability. This could include discussing renewable and non-renewable resources, the water cycle, and ecosystems. Encourage students to conduct research on specific natural resources and their sustainability implications. This could be done individually or in small groups, with each group focusing on a different resource.
Engage students in a discussion about the ethical and moral considerations related to resource use and sustainability. Encourage critical thinking about the consequences of unsustainable practices. Facilitate debates or group discussions where students can share their findings and opinions on how natural resource use affects global sustainability.
Help students make connections between the natural resources they researched and the broader concept of global sustainability. Discuss how responsible resource management can contribute to global efforts like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Have students create presentations, reports, or visual aids to demonstrate the connections between specific natural resources and their impact on the environment and society.
City maps for major cities in the Western United States are readily available through various sources. You can obtain them from city tourism websites, local visitor centers, or use navigation apps like Google Maps or MapQuest to access digital city maps that help you navigate urban areas and discover points of interest.
Storyboards and worksheets enhance students' exploration of the Western United States by providing engaging visual tools for understanding the region's geography, culture, and resources. Through these interactive resources, students can dive into the region's diverse features, from maps to historical narratives, fostering a deeper connection to the Western US.
Educators can promote cross-disciplinary learning by designing storyboards and worksheets that encourage students to explore the Western United States through the lenses of history, environmental science, sociology, and other subjects. By incorporating relevant content and activities from these disciplines, students gain a more comprehensive and interconnected understanding of the region, enriching their learning experience. This holistic approach facilitates a deeper appreciation of the Western US's diverse features and their interconnectedness.