Course Title: Advanced Environmental Technology
Lesson Title: Geographic Distribution of Natural Resources
TEKS Addressed in Lesson: 130.12 c 7 D
(7) The student determines the importance and scope of natural resources. The student is expected to:
(D) map the geographic and demographic distribution of natural resources
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter130/index.html
Lesson Objectives. The student will be able to:
map the distribution of natural resources.
Tools and Equipment
computer
Key Terms / Vocabulary
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Natural resources – materials that can be used by man that are naturally occurring (ex. sun,
water, land, minerals, vegetation, atmosphere, wildlife)
Renewable resources – natural resources that capable of being replenished such as solar,
geothermal, and wind energies
Non-renewable resources – natural resources that are unable to be replenished once they are
used such as hydrocarbons and uranium
Biomass – organic plant and animal material used to generate energy
Geothermal – heat energy that is generated and stored inside the Earth
Hydroelectric – mechanical energy from moving water that is converted into electrical energy
Fossil fuels – non-renewable hydrocarbons that are drilled or mined from the Earth such as oil,
coal, and natural gas
Nuclear – energy that is released during a nuclear reaction
Petroleum – a fossil fuel also known as crude oil
Solar – light and heat energy captured from the Sun
Wind - mechanical energy from moving air that is converted into electrical energy
Engage / Interest Approach/Anticipatory Set
Students will review Renewable and Non-renewable Resources concepts introduced in 7B in order to
provide a background for the explore and elaborate activities. The students will be given 5 minutes to
create a Venn Diagram with their partner identifying similarities and differences between renewable
versus non-renewable natural resources.
The teacher will facilitate discussion with the class and lead in the creation of a class Venn diagram that
compiles contributions from each student group.
Explore & Explain / Teaching Plan and Strategy / Presentation of New Material
1. The teacher will present map information for natural resource distributions across the
United States and facilitate discussion.
2. The students will be responsible for answering questions throughout the presentation.
See Student Notes/Activity Page for presentation questions and key.
Elaborate / Activity/Application/ Student Engagement /Laboratory
The students will be divided into groups. Group size will depend on computer availability. Each
group will be responsible for creating natural resource maps for resources found within Texas
using the U.S. Energy Information Administration website, http://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=tx .
Evaluation / Summary
Write a summary comparing the six resource maps that you created. Include answers to the
following questions in your summary:
Are there regional trends based on where the resources are located? Explain.
What are the resources found near the most populated cities (i.e., Houston, Austin, Dallas/Fort
Worth, San Antonio)?
Which resource is there the most of in our state? Why do you think that is?
Which resource is there the least of in our state? Why do you think that is?
Based on where you live, what are the natural resources most available to your area?
Summary Rubric
Required Elements
Writing Presentation
Quality of Language
Questions
POOR
Incomplete, Minimal
effort shown
Sloppy or illegible, poor
use of space
Little or no original
language
Incomplete or no
questions answered
GOOD
Complete, Some effort
shown
Legible, adequate use
of space
Some original language
EXCEPTIONAL
Complete, obvious
effort shown
Very legible, great use
of space
All language is original
Some questions
answered, but not fully
Every question is
answered in a complete
way.
References/Additional Materials / Extended Learning Opportunities/ Enrichment
References: http://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=tx
Extended learning:
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Each group could create the natural resource maps for different states and summarize.
Students could read through and summarize the natural resource profile analysis for Texas and/
or other states and create a poster of key information.
( http://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.cfm?sid=TX )
College & Career Readiness Standard
Language Arts
III Speaking B2
IV Listening A3, B1, B3
Science
I Nature of Science A2, D1
III Foundation Skills D1
Social Studies
I Interrelated Disciplines and Skills A1
Cross Disciplinary
I Key Cognitive Skills E2
II Foundation Skills E1, E4
©Texas Education Agency, 2015