|
This page contains several lesson plans educators may find helpful in preparing their classes to visit the Museum and Discovery Center.
Download Quid Pro Quote Lesson Plan.rtf
Download Eyes On Icons Lesson Plan.rtf
Download WildernessSurvivalLessonPlan.rtf
Lesson Plan 1.
Lesson: "Quid Pro Quote"
Grades: MS, HS
Subject: LA
Lesson Plan 2.
Lesson: "Eyes on Icons"
Grades: MS, HS
Subjects: LA, SS
Objectives: to strengthen vocabulary skills and to facilitate the research and discussion of "iconic" figures and their status of prominence.
Definition: icon - an object of uncritical devotion; an emblem or symbol [that best embodies or represents something for which it stands or of which it is a part]. a commonly used term is “household name”, meaning a person or thing that is well known.
Activity: this activity can be conducted as a class, in small groups or even individually.
- have students read the article, "Africa's Icon", looking up the definitions of underlined words as they read to foster clarity and continuity of thought.
- have students write several facts they know about lions which contribute to their status as the premier figure of Africa.
- some students may want to research the lion and share some interesting, little-known facts.
- ask students if they can think of any other iconic animals.
- have students name other fields or topics for which there may be iconic figures and have them make a list of those icons. some examples are provided. this activity should serve as a vehicle to launch into biographical studies with the students having a bevy of topics and persons to choose from.
Iconic Reformers Iconic Performers
Mahatma Ghandi Kurt Cobain
Martin Luther King Jimi Hendrix
Nelson Mandela Michael Jackson
iconic overcoming women iconic authors
Anne Frank Charles Dickens
Helen Keller Ernest Hemingway
Harriet Tubman Mark Twain
Iconic Paintings Iconic Photographs
Mona Lisa Migrant Mother (from the Great Depression)
Whistler’s Mother Abraham Lincoln
Iconic Athletes Iconic Actors
Muhammad Ali Judy Garland
Michael Jordan John Wayne
Iconic Visionaries Iconic Landscapes
Walt Disney The Grand Canyon
Bill Gates Angel Falls
Iconic Big Game Hunters
Teddy Roosevelt
Dan and Margaret Maddox
The aura of mystique and intrigue that Africa holds over the lives of so many people worldwide is due, in no small part, to the many movies and documentaries which have, purposely or incidentally, showcased and even venerated the wildlife of the world's second largest continent. Yet, of the scores of wildlife species indigenous to Africa, the "Big Five" (a term originally used by big game hunters) emerge as the most sought-after species during a safari or eco-tour.
The lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo are the most exalted of all visual quarry. And yet, of these five, the lion stands alone as the most iconic of all African animals. There is, perhaps, no other animal in the world that embodies the essence of a continent as does the lion. In all the world there may be no other animal with as much power to "stop us in our tracks".
Lesson Plan 3.
Lesson: "Discovery Quiz on Wilderness Survival"
Grades: MS, HS
Subjects: HE/PE, SS, LA
Objectives: This is what I have termed a "discovery quiz". The students are not necessarily expected to know the answers but will "discover" the answers and gain an understanding of the physical, mental, material and
natural resources essential to staying alive and reasonably healthy in a survival situation. When you visit the museum you will see a warehouser's list of supplies that accompanied Dan and Margaret Maddox on one of their many safaris. However, what if you find yourself involuntarily stranded, lost in a wilderness without these necessities - would you be prepared to face the daunting task of surviving several days before being rescued?
The questions posed and the answers presented will provide a basic framework around which additional survival skills can be learned.
Activities: Have students take the quiz. Encourage them not to hurry but to take a deep breath and "think things
through". This, in fact, is a survival skill in itself, i.e. to not panic but remain calm, assess the situation and
determine your priorities. If you want to have the students work in a group, have them select a leader who will have the final "say" on each question. This, too, is a survival skill if lost with a group, i.e. selecting a leader with the maturity and
experience to lead the group through a survival situation.
Next, have the students write a creative story of survival, using as much of the material from the quiz as possible
and perhaps some "real-life" experiences they or someone else has had. Sometimes blending fact with fiction
produces the best stories.
Third, have the students research and present a written or oral report on sleep deprivation, dehydration, hunger,
delirium and other physical and mental phenomena.
Wilderness Survival Quiz - answers and explanations are provided at the end of the quiz.
1) All of these items, except for one, perform the same survival function. Which one does not serve the same
purpose as the other three?
A) fire
B) knife
C) whistle
D) mirror
2) If you know you are lost, it is best to take a guess as to the direction you should go and then "go for it".
A) true
B) false
3) The two primary purposes for having a fire are for warmth and cooking.
A) true
B) false
4) Which of these would be the single best food to have in a survival situation?
A) peanut butter
B) chocolate bars
C) granola bars
5) Check all that are true regarding water for drinking.
A) If the water is clear, it is safe for drinking
B) Eating snow is a safe method of hydrating your body
C) Sea water can be drunk as a last resort
D) Water only has to reach the boiling point to be safe
to drink
6) According to the survival "rule of threes", which of the following statements is/are true?
A) You can survive three hours without shelter
B) You can survive three days without water
C) You can survive three weeks without food
7) Which of the following are effects of sleep deprivation?
A) The inability to think rationally
B) The inability to moderate emotions
C) The inability to handle stress
D) Slower reaction time
8) Which of the following groups of insects is/are not safe to eat?
A) crickets, grasshoppers, locusts
B) ants, termites
C) grubs, beetles, worms
D) caterpillars, spiders, bees
9) Which of the following statements is/are true concerning an encounter with a bear?
A) It is best to hike with dogs in case of an encounter
with a bear
B) While hiking in bear country it is best to keep as
quiet as possible so that a bear will not be alerted
to your presence
C) While hiking in bear country it is best to make noise,
such as talking or striking trees with a stick, so that
you do not surprise a bear
D) If you encounter a bear, the best course of action is
take an offensive, attack posture to show the bear
that you "mean business".
10) Which of the following would be the best survival kit to have in case you are lost?
A) fish hooks, compass, chocolate bars, mosquito
netting
B) knife, matches, fish hooks, book to read
C) metal can or pot, Bic lighter, knife, compass
Answers and Explanations
1) correct answer: B. a fire, a whistle and a mirror can all be used to signal for rescue. remember that "3" of
anything is the universal distress signal: 3 fires, 3 whistles and 3 reflective signals from a mirror. also,
remember that a whistle can be heard much farther than your voice and requires much less effort and
energy.
2) correct answer: B, false. it is best, in most situations, to stay put. most rescues occur within 72 hours. if you
told someone where you were going - a cardinal rule - help is most likely on the way.
3) correct answer: B, false. a fire is probably the most important survival "tool" you can have. it provides not
only warmth and a means for cooking food but also light, mental comfort, a deterrant to unwanted wildlife,
a way to purify water and a distress signal.
4) correct answer: A, peanut butter. of these three, chocolate bars are the worst, providing an immediate,
short interval of energy followed by a rapid drop and long period of no available energy. granola bars are
next, providing a more moderate stream of energy. The protein and fat from the peanut butter will main-
tain an adequate blood-sugar level over a much longer period. in other words, it "stays with you" longer. the
only caveat is that the high protein content will increase your need for water.
5) correct answer: D. even mountain streams can contain ground contaminants. the body heat needed to melt
snow, when eaten, can dangerously lower your body's core temperature. sea water only expedites the
dehydration process and can cause the kidneys to shut down. water needs only to reach the boiling point to
destroy harmful pathogens.
6) correct answer: A,B and C are all true and should be considered when determining your priorities if you are
in a survival situation. build a shelter first ( if the temperature warrants doing so ), find a source of water,
then look for food.
7) correct answer: A, B, C and D are all effects of sleep deprivation. getting enough sleep during a survival situation is
as critical as the procurement of food, water and resources to make a fire. in fact, fear and panic, the inevitable
byproducts of sleep deprivation, will lead you to make unsafe and, possibly, fatal decisions.
8) correct answer: D. anything hairy, stinging, biting or brightly colored is inedible. insects with barbed legs,
such as crickets and grasshoppers should not be eaten until the legs are removed.
9) correct answer: C is the only correct answer. dogs are likely to provoke a bear. you do not want to surprise a
bear. if confronted by a bear, "stand down" and give it plenty of room. do not show any signs of aggression,
such as looking into the bear's eyes. you cannot outrun a bear, so do not run. if a bear charges, pick up a large
stick (you should keep one in your hands anyway) and try to keep the bear at bay. if the bear attacks you, curl
up and face the ground, protecting your neck.
10) correct answer: of these three groups of items, C is the best kit. a metal can or pot can be used to boil
water; a Bic lighter is not subject to getting moist as matches are; a knife is absolutely indispensable in a
survival situation for countless purposes; a compass is an obvious necessity for finding your way to safety.
an "ideal" survival kit would consist of GPS, cell phone and ample amounts of food and water. the
advantage of a compass - and a topo (topography) map - is that it requires no batteries, which can fail
you.
Hopefully, you and your students have been engaged by this activity and have enjoyed the challenge. You are
probably already thinking of other lessons that you can use in your classroom or other educational settings
using this same theme. Making learning fun may be our greatest reponsibility and privilege.
|
