In+My+Own+Backyard+Reinforcing+Activity


 * In My Own Backyard**


 * Benchmark 3-5**
 * B. Identify the physical and human characteristics of places and regions in North America.**

 Read the book //In My Own Backyard// aloud to students. Afterwards, discuss the geographical characteristics students noticed throughout the book, as well as how these characteristics changed over time and were affected by both humans and the environment.  After reading and discussing, students will create a time capsule to bury in their own backyard. This time capsule will represent our current time period and will be made in hopes that, in the future, a child will find it buried in his or her backyard and will be able to use the items inside as an image of the historical and environmental perspective from this time period. It should be explained to students so they believe they are helping to add on to the novel, //In My Own Backyard.// (Students should be informed prior to the day of this lesson to bring in an empty shoebox, and the teacher should have extra shoeboxes on hand in case a student forgets).

Next, hand out to each student two pieces of colored construction paper. On one page students should write a letter to “The explorer who finds this time capsule.” The letter should explain (1) the physical characteristics of the area in which they live, (2) any man-made objects in their backyard, (3) three types of transportation they use (car, bus, bike, walk etc.), and (4) any games or outside activities they participate in (tag, sports, gardening, rollerblading etc.). On the second page, they will draw a sketch of their backyard or surrounding area with colored pencils.

Finally, the teacher should conclude the class with a discussion of humans’ impact on the physical environment of North America and both the negative and positive consequences of it. Students should be encouraged to add to their time capsule, when they go home, with items that reflect our environmental region and how we utilize our land and resources today. They should bury their shoebox time capsule in their backyard if possible in hopes that one day in the future, someone will be lucky enough to find it.

//Materials Needed//
-Shoebox -Construction paper -Colored pencils