Grand Falls, Arizona Online Activities

Virtual Lesson Plan

Grades K-8

Overview

This virtual lesson will bring the magic of Grand Falls, Arizona, into your home. Students will explore concepts in geology, water cycles, desert ecology, and Native American history using online resources, at-home activities, and engaging discussion topics. By the end of the lesson, students will understand the importance of this unique desert landscape and the natural processes that shape it.

Objectives

• Understand how erosion shapes landscapes and the significance of water in desert ecosystems.

• Learn about the local plants and animals of the Grand Falls region and their adaptations.

• Explore the cultural and historical significance of Grand Falls for Native American tribes, including the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni.

Materials Needed

• Internet access and a device to watch videos and explore resources

• Notebooks and pencils

• Household items for erosion experiment (sand, soil, water, small container)

• Field guides or online resources for native plants and animals (optional)

• Art supplies for drawing and reflection

Online Resources

1. Virtual Tour of Grand Falls

• Arizona Wonders: Virtual Tour of Grand Falls – A virtual walkthrough showcasing Grand Falls, offering visuals of the falls in action. (Check for resources on video platforms like YouTube or Arizona tourism websites.)

2. Understanding Erosion and Geology

• National Geographic Kids – Provides kid-friendly articles and videos on erosion and how natural forces shape landscapes.

• American Museum of Natural History: The Rock Cycle – An educational resource on the types of rocks and how they form.

3. Water Cycle and Desert Ecosystems

• NASA’s Climate Kids: The Water Cycle – An interactive explanation of the water cycle, with animations.

• Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: Desert Plants and Animals – Learn about common desert flora and fauna, with images and descriptions.

4. Native American History and Culture

• Navajo Nation Museum Virtual Exhibits – Offers insight into the history and culture of the Navajo people, who have strong ties to the Grand Falls area.

• Native Knowledge 360° by the Smithsonian – Age-appropriate lessons on Native American history and culture.

Lesson Activities

1. Virtual Observation and Drawing (20-30 minutes)

• Objective: Build observational skills and engage students’ creativity by studying images and videos of Grand Falls.

• Instructions: Show the virtual tour or images of Grand Falls. Have students observe details, such as the colors, the rocks, and surrounding plants. Ask them to draw what they see and write a few words describing the scenery, imagining the sound of the falls or how the air might feel.

2. Erosion Experiment (30 minutes)

• Objective: Understand erosion by creating a hands-on model at home.

• Materials: A container, sand or soil, water, and a small rock (optional).

• Instructions: Fill a container with sand or soil. Slowly pour water over one side to simulate the effect of water flow on land over time. Watch how the water creates channels and moves the sand. Discuss how the Grand Falls landscape is shaped by similar processes during seasonal water flow.

3. Exploring the Water Cycle (15-20 minutes)

• Objective: Learn about the water cycle and its importance in desert ecosystems.

• Instructions: Use NASA’s Climate Kids website to explore the water cycle. After watching the animations or reading about it, have students draw the water cycle, showing how precipitation, collection, and evaporation work together to create waterfalls like Grand Falls. Encourage them to think about why water is so important in a desert ecosystem.

4. Desert Plant and Animal Investigation (30 minutes)

• Objective: Identify plants and animals native to the Grand Falls area and understand their desert adaptations.

• Instructions: Use resources like the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum website or National Geographic Kids to explore native plants and animals. Create a simple scavenger hunt or list of species to find, such as prickly pear cactus, yucca, lizards, and hawks. Have students record their findings and note any special adaptations (like waxy leaves to conserve water or nocturnal habits to avoid heat).

5. Native American Culture and History (30 minutes)

• Objective: Understand the cultural significance of Grand Falls for Native American tribes.

• Instructions: Use resources from the Navajo Nation Museum or Native Knowledge 360° to learn about the Navajo, Hopi, and Zuni tribes, who have strong cultural connections to the area. Ask students to write or draw what they learned about the tribes’ history, values, and why places like Grand Falls are special to them.

Book Recommendations

• Grades K-2: “A Desert Habitat” by Kelley MacAulay and Bobbie Kalman – a gentle introduction to desert life.

• Grades 3-5: “The Magic School Bus Gets All Dried Up: A Book About Deserts” by Joanna Cole – a fun, engaging story about desert ecosystems.

• Grades 6-8: “Grand Canyon” by Jason Chin – an educational exploration of the canyon’s geology, ecology, and history, with connections to nearby landmarks like Grand Falls.

Reflection and Discussion

1. Erosion and Water Cycle Recap

• Ask students to explain how water shapes landscapes, using their erosion experiment and the water cycle as examples.

2. Create a Grand Falls Journal Page

• Students can create a journal page combining drawings, notes on plants and animals, and what they learned about Native American culture.

3. Leave No Trace Principles at Home

• Discuss how the principles of Leave No Trace apply to natural spaces near them. Ask students to come up with three ways they can protect local parks or trails, similar to how we should protect places like Grand Falls.

Extensions and Additional Activities

• Rock and Mineral Identification: Collect small rocks from around your home or backyard, using online resources to identify them and learn about rock types. Compare them to the volcanic rock found at Grand Falls.

• Erosion and Weathering Time-Lapse: Use a video platform to find time-lapse videos of erosion in action. Watch as rocks and landscapes change over time, demonstrating the slow but powerful effect of natural forces.

• Map Activity: Use Google Earth to locate Grand Falls and study its surrounding landscape. Discuss how Arizona’s geographic features, like the Little Colorado River, contribute to its unique ecosystem.

This virtual field trip allows Geniuses to experience the beauty of Grand Falls from home, bringing together science, culture, and respect for nature. With these activities, students can deepen their understanding of the desert landscape and gain a lasting appreciation for Arizona’s natural wonders.