In this lesson I look at the characteristics, formation and human uses of granite landscapes using Dartmoor as a case study of a granite landscape. Case study: Dartmoor![]() Characteristics
Human activity
Human impacts on the landscape
Sources: Dartmoor National Park Authority (2005) Geology and Landforms Factsheet. [Accessed 11/08/15) Available from: http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/41266/lab-geology.pdf BBC (2014) BBC Bitesize. Geography: Rock types in the British Isles. [Accessed 11/08/15] Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/rock_landscapes/rock_/types_rev1.shtml Coordination Group Publications Ltd. (CGP) (2010) GCSE Geography: The Revision Guide. CGP Devon County Council (no date) Devon Geology Guide: Dartmoor Granite. [Accessed 11/08/15] Available from: http://www.devon.gov.uk/geo-dartmoorgranite.pdf Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon County Council, Peter Keene (2001) The Evolution of a Dartmoor Landscape: exploring Burrator [Accessed 11/08/15] Available from: http://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/41039/au-burrator.pdf Starter I would set the context of the lesson with this video Dramatic Dartmoor (Dartmoor National Park Authority, 2014) showing views of Dartmoor National Park While they watch the video, I would ask them to answer the following questions: 1. What words would you use to describe the landscape? Suggested answers: barren, wild, empty, dramatic, rocky, craggy 2. What do you notice about the rock formations called tors? Suggested answers: rock, shattered, pointy, jagged, on top of hills 3. What other landforms can you see? valleys, rivers 4. What is the vegetation like? moor, low vegetation, grass, scrub, some forest, heather 5. What human uses of the landscape can you see? cycling, reservoir, dam, prehistoric stone circles, villages, church, farming, sheep farming, park ranger, tourists, walkers, climbers 6. Would you want to visit Dartmoor? After watching, students compare answers in pairs and feedback to the class. Main activities I would introduce the case study, showing the location of Dartmoor with the map shown above. I would elicit how we describe its location, so students practice describing the location as they would do in an exam i.e. Dartmoor is located in Devon in south west England. Next, we look at the geology of the area. I elicit what rock type granite is and what they remember about the formation and characteristics of igneous rocks. Tell students that Dartmoor is situated on a batholith, and elicit if they remember what a batholith is. I would show students a photograph of a tor and ask them to discuss in pairs how they think it was formed. I would then give them the following steps unnumbered and mixed up and ask them to put them in order. 1. Millions of years ago, the area was covered in tropical rainforests. 2. Vertical and horizontal joints, of varied density, formed in the granite. 3. Tropical rainwater ran down into the rock and along these joints, eating away at them. 4. Weathering is concentrated where joints are most densely packed. 5. Weathered rock is stripped away by erosion. 6. Through weathering the joints are widened. 8. The blocks of rock where the joints are widely spread leave blocks of stacked rock. 9. Frost action may further weather the joints - emphasizing the effects. 10. The unweathered sections form tors. As a class we look at these diagrams (see below) and feedback on the correct sequence. Students then get a worksheet with the correct process and diagrams on so they have a correct copy. Students could then learn more about the case study from factsheets, either those on the Dartmoor National Park Authority website here or written by the teacher. Each group would have a different focus, e.g. geology, vegetation, tourism, they make notes and then give a presentation to the class so that everyone has the information. Plenary Tell your partner three things you learnt about Dartmoor in today's lesson.
0 Comments
|
AuthorMy name is Heather and I am going to begin my SCITT course to train as a Geography teacher. ArchivesCategories
All
|