Grade Level(s): 4, 5
Subject(s)
Description:
The iron range located in northern Minnesota is a unique geographical area that can teach children many valuable things. It can teach students about maps, immigration, and natural resources. This lesson teaches students about mining, natural resources, and economies. The iron range is used as a case study, We will be tracking ore mining to taconite to tourism. Children will learn the changing economic function of the iron range
Goal:
Students will have an understanding of the role that natural resources has on economies.
Objectives:
1. The students will list three different eras the iron range has gone through since the late 1800's.
2. The students will define what economy means.
3. Students will list at least three reasons why the iron range's economy has changed since the late 1800's.
4. The students tell of the destruction to the land that mining causes.
Background Information:
The iron range is located in the northern part of Minnesota. It is comprised up of many little towns that were once thriving, many are now becoming ghost towns. The area was developed in the late 1800'a and many immigrants cam to the area to work in the mines. The iron ore has been depleted since then and the land is barren. Today many people are hoping that development of taconite will revive the area. Tourism is also playing a part in the revival of the economies in the little towns around the iron range.
Concepts:
Students will be able to:
1. Relate natural resources to the economy and what causes areas to prosper or become stagnent.
2. Apply these concepts to their own city or town.
3. Identify the importance of natural resources and realize that they do run out.
Materials:
piece of real ore and taconite -articles about taconite and ore -pictures of the iron range -text that discusses economies
Procedure:
1. Hang pictures of the iron range up and around the room, display a bulletin board, set pieces of real ore and taconite out. Let the children explore these things on their own this will hopefully raise questions.
2. Handout articles about ore. Read as a class.
3. Discuss natural resources; asking critical questions.
4. Show pictures of the mines in the late 1800's.
5. Explain the process of extracting ore from the land.
6. Ask "What happens when the ore runs out?"
7. Discuss this further with the iron range as your example of what happens.
8. Hand out taconite information and read as a class
9. Talk of what taconite is and how this has replaced mining.
10. Explain what taconite is doing for the area.
11. Have the children think of other ways the iron range can try to revive itself. Do this in groups and then share as a class.
12. Talk about tourism and wrap up.
Assessment:
1. In groups, have students think of ways this area can revive itself.
2. Have them explain why area change economically.
3. Have the students list what happens when a natural resource is used up.
4. Have the students explain what "economy" means in their own words.
5. Have the students apply what they have learned to their town by being able to list what gives people jobs in their area. Are their any natural resources that are found near by? Is it a tourist town? Factories? Etc.