Mountain+Alphabet+Reinforcing+Activity

Objectives: Students will research and recognize the various elements of different geographical regions. Students will work together to compile their information. Students will work in groups to create their own geographical alphabet. Materials: //Mountain Alphabet// by Margriet Ruurs Paper Coloring Utensils Access to the Internet Various Books Reinforcing Activity: Tell the students to write down letters from the book that peak their interest, confuse them, or that they can relate to. Read the book //Mountain Alphabet// aloud to the students. Then, have the students turn and talk to a partner to discuss the parts of the book that they enjoyed hearing about. After the students have done so for about five minutes, have them share their conversations as a class by hosting a discussion and writing their comments on the board. After doing this activity with the students, have them brainstorm as a class other regions and biomes throughout the world besides mountains. This could include desserts, tundra, forests, etc. Put the students into groups of four and have them talk about some of these regions and biomes that they may be interested in learning more about. Tell them after they discuss their options, they have to decide on one that they will be researching. Give the students the opportunity to use computers and books to research their topic. Explain that they should be looking for various elements that are special to their biome or region. For instance, they should look for things such as plant life, animal life, activities that take place there, and any other characteristics that are special. Provide enough time for the students to gather enough information to really understand their chosen topic. When the students are finished gathering their information, have them create their own version of an Alphabet book. Be sure to tell them to be creative with this, but to keep in mind that these books should be informational about their chosen biome or region. When finished, allow all students to read and react to the other books that groups have made. Have them write down specific information that they did not know before in each book. Close the lesson by putting a T-Chart up for the class and having students discuss what they learned from each book. Then, look at the wide variety of information that has been given and explain that it is important to understand the vast differences in regions that exist throughout our world.