Lesson 24: Where Shall We Build?
Have you ever seen
a construction site?
Challenge:
Where should Boomtown construct
the new buildings?
Introduction: Read introduction on C-4
Describe what was
being done at the
construction site
you saw.
Vocabulary:
evidence, inference, landform,
marsh, observation, trade-offs,
wetlands
Materials:
Procedure:
Data:
Observations before and After Construction
data table
Analysis: AQ 1, AQ 2, AQ3, AQ 4
Scenario
There is a need for new homes in the rapidly
growing community of Boomtown. Explain that
there are three possible sites being considered
for construction
Physical shapes such as hillsides, cliffs, and marshes are called:
Landforms
hillsides
cliffs
marshes
Marsh
A marsh is an example of a “Wetland”. A wetland is an area
made up mostly of water and watery land.
A marsh is wetland area dominated by grasses.
An example of a wetland that is different then a marsh is a
swamp.
A marsh is dominated by grasses. A swamp is dominated by
trees.
What are some examples of local wetlands?
Smith and Bybee lake
The Columbia Slough
The photographs in Figure 1 in the Student Book shows
examples of three kinds of locations being considered—
hillsides, wetlands, and seaside cliffs—both before and
after construction.
These are not before and after photographs of Boomtown,
since Boomtown is still in the process of deciding where to
build.
In fact, none of the photographs are of the same place
nor are they taken from the same perspective.
Directions
1. Each Group uses the 4-2-1 approach :
2. Students should work in pairs to study the photographs.
3. Then students will meet in groups of four to further
discuss their ideas and review their observations.
The Recorder must record the groups results
on a data table given to him/her to be shared with the
class and then turned in to Mr. Saulter
4. Each student will then create a data table to fill out and
answer the questions at the end of the activity
individually.
Marsh
Hillside
Cliff
Directions
1. Each Group uses the 4-2-1 approach :
2. Students should work in pairs to study the photographs.
3. Then students will meet in groups of four to further
discuss their ideas and review their observations.
The Recorder must record the groups results
on a blank sheet of paper to be shared with the class
and then turned in to Mr. Saulter
4. Each student will then be given a data table to fill out and
answer the questions at th end of the activity
individually.
What is the difference between scientific observations and inferences?
observations Descriptions or measurements gathered by the senses.
What we can see directly in the photographs.
We may observe that the wetlands have been filled in and
have less water.
Inferences
The conclusions we make based on what we see.
From this, we may infer that this has been bad for wildlife
in the area
While this inference is a possibility, the only way to be
certain would be to look at the actual situation and see if the
wildlife has suffered as a result.
Directions
1. Each Group uses the 4-2-1 approach :
2. Students should work in pairs to study the photographs.
3. Then students will meet in groups of four to further
discuss their ideas and review their observations.
The Recorder must record the groups results
on a blank sheet of paper to be shared with the class
and then turned in to Mr. Saulter
4. Each student will then be given a data table to fill out and
answer the questions at th end of the activity
individually.
Sample Observations Before and After Construction
Appearance Before Construction
Appearance After Construction
Marsh
Lots of water and birds.
Full of grasses, reeds, and some trees.
Land area looks swampy.
Very flat and dry.
Some trees and grass.
No water visible.
No birds visible.
Lots of houses and concrete.
Trees and grass are present,
but different kinds than before
Hillside
Covered with trees and grass.
Hills have ridges and valleys.
Houses, roads, and cars.
Less grass, fewer trees,
soil churned up in some places.
Some areas are leveled.
Cliff
Sandy and rocky on the sides of cliff.
Some vegetation on the top.
Small overhang at top.
Barriers built in front of shore.
Looks unstable.
House on top of cliff.
Sandy and rocky sides with more overhang
Less vegetation on top.
Coastline is not as straight as before
Analysis Question 1
Marshes hills, and cliffs are three kinds of landforms.
A landform is any characteristic physical shape of the earth’s
surface.
Make a list of some other familiar landforms that you can
think of that aren’t mentioned in this activity.
1. valleys
2. canyons
3. plateaus
4. mountains,
5. buttes
6. mesas
7. stone arches
Analysis Question 2
Explain how each of the following places was either changed
or was not changed by the construction of buildings:
a. marsh
The marsh was changed because there is no longer any water in the
area.
The ground has become solid instead of marshy.
There are no birds to be seen and the grasses and trees were
replaced with species that are not originally from the area.
There doesn’t appear to be anything that hasn’t been changed as
a result of building at this site.
Analysis Question 2
Explain how each of the following places was either changed
or was not changed by the construction of buildings:
b. hillside
The hillside was changed because the trees were cut
down and replaced with roads and houses.
The earth surface has fewer peaks and valleys after
building.
The area outside of the immediate area does not seem
to be changed.
Analysis Question 3
Based on what you know so far, on which site do you think Boomtown
should build houses? Explain, using the observations that formed your
opinion.
Example: a student might say that Boomtown should build homes on
the marsh, because the marsh was unattractive and that after
construction the marsh is filled in with firm soil.
Analysis Question 4
Explain how the following information about the Delta Marsh, Green
Hill, and Seaside Cliffs could help the council make the decision
about where to build the new housing.
a. weather
Rainfall - heavy rain could wash away the hills or the
cliff and could flood the wetlands.
b. animals
The birds seen in the photos of the wetlands, could be
endangered if the construction destroys or significantly
changes the habitat needed for them to live.
Analysis Question 4
Explain how the following information about the Delta Marsh, Green
Hill, and Seaside Cliffs could help the council make the decision
about where to build the new housing.
c. plants
Plants may also be endangered or at least made scarce
locally.
Plants, like those found at the top of the cliff, help prevent
erosion because they absorb water and because their roots
stabilize the earth.
Analysis Question 4
d. housing prices
Housing prices could go down if there is more housing
available, or if the construction makes the area less
attractive.
e. shape of the land
Some landforms are difficult to build on, such as a very
steep slope.
Some places are not safe to build on, such as an area
that will flood.