Download Frisch`s Outreach: African Safari (4-6) Extensions

Frisch’s Outreach:
African Safari (4-6)
Extensions
At a glance
This program will allow your students to learn about the
Geography and Climate of Africa. And where these animals live..
Goal
This class is designed to familiarize
students with Africa. The students will
learn what its climate is like, what types
of animals live there and how they
survive.
Objectives
The students will gain an
understanding of the basic
features of maps and how to read
them.
The students will know where
the major geographic features of
Africa are located.
The students will be able to
identify what types of habitats
are found on the African
Continent and learn where these
habitats are located.
The students will understand how
the program animal lives and
survives in its habitat.
The student will be able to
identify what is the range of the
program animal.
Theme
Africa has a unique geography that has
an impact on its wildlife.
Sub-themes
What types of habitats are found
in Africa.
What adaptations do animals
have to survive in their habitats.
Academic standards
Ohio Science Academic
Content Standards
Grade 5
Grade 7
Grade 10
Title (X-X): Extensions
Life Sciences
Benchmark C – 4,5,6,
Earth and Space Sciences
Benchmark C-8,
Life Sciences
Benchmark E-14,
Benchmark F-14,16,17,
Benchmark G-18,19,
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Grade 11
Grade 12
Kentucky Core Content—
Science
Ohio Social Studies
Academic Content
Standards
Kentucky Core Content—
Social Studies/Geography
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Earth and Space Sciences
Benchmark B-4,
Benchmark C-12,
Life Sciences
Benchmark E-6,8,
Earth and Space Sciences
Benchmark B-5,
Life Sciences
Benchmark C-12
Benchmark E-7,8,
Life Science:
Grade 4
The Characteristics of Organisms: SC-E-3.1.2, SC-E-3.1.3 Life Cycle of
Organisms: SC-E-3.2.2
Organisms And Their Environment: SC-E-3.3.1
Grades 5-7
Structure & Function in Living Systems: SC-M-3.1.1
Regulation and Behavior: SC-M-3.2.1, SC-M-3.2.2,
SC-M-3.2.3
Diversity and Adaptations of Organisms: SC-M-3.4.1,
SC-M-3.4.2
Populations and Ecosystems: SC-M-3.5.1, SC-M-3.5.2,
SC-M-3.5.3, SC-M-3.5.4
Grade 8-12
Interdependence of Organisms: SC-H-3.5.3
Behavior of an Organism: SC-H-3.2.1,SC-H-3.2.2,
SC-H-3.2.3
Grade 5
Geography
Benchmark A-1,2,
Benchmark B-3,4,5,
Benchmark C-8,9,
Grade 6
Geography
Benchmark A-1,
Benchmark B-4,
Benchmark C-5,6,7,
Grade 4
SS-E-4.1.1, SS-E-4.1.2, SS-E-4.1.5
SS-E-4.2.1, SS-E-4.2.2
SS-E-4.3.2, SS-E-4.3.3
SS-E-4.4.1, SS-E-4.4.2, SS-E-4.4.3, SS-E-4.4.4
Grades 5-7
SS-M-4.1.1, SS-M-4.1.2
SS-M-4.2.1, SS-M-4.2.2
SS-M-4.4.1, SS-M-4.4.2, SS-M-4.4.3, SS-M-4.4.4
Grades 8-12
SS-H-4.1.1, SS-H-4.1.2
SS-H-4.4.1, SS-H-4.4.2, SS-H-4.4.4
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Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Background
Geography
Africa when compared to the other continents has a very unique geography. It has many
extremes, from very hot and dry regions in the north and south, to the tropical rainforests
in the center of the continent.
Africa lacks a major continental mountain range such as the Himalayas or the Andes.
The average elevation of the continent approximates closely to 2,000 ft above sea level,
roughly the same as both North and South America, but considerably less than that of
Asia, 3,117 ft. When compared with other continents, there is little land on very high or
very low ground. Lands under 600 ft or over 10,000 ft occupy an unusually small part of
the surface. Not only are the highest elevations less than those of Asia or South America,
but the area of land over 10,000 ft is also much less, being represented almost entirely by
individual peaks and mountain ranges.
Moderately elevated tablelands are the characteristic feature of the continent, though the
surface of these is broken by higher peaks and ridges.
Apart from the lowlands and the Atlas mountain range, the continent may be divided into
two regions of higher and lower plateaus, the dividing line runs from the middle of the
Red Sea to just south of the Congo River on the west coast.
Climate
Africa lies almost entirely within the tropics, equally to north and south of the equator.
Because of this, Africa does not show excessive variations of temperature.
In the North, the great width of the continent limits the moderating influence of the
oceans. Great heat is experienced in the lower plains and desert regions. In addition, the
contrast between day and night, summer and winter, is greatest. Farther south, the heat
may be modified by the moisture brought from the ocean, and by the greater elevation of
a large part of the surface, especially in East Africa, where the range of temperature is
wider than in the Congo basin or on the Guinea coast.
In the extreme north and south the climate is a warm temperate one, the northern
countries being on the whole hotter and drier than those in the southern zone; the south of
the continent being narrower than the north, the influence of the surrounding ocean is
more felt.
The most important climatic differences are due to variations in the amount of rainfall.
The Sahara in the north and the Kalahari in the south receive very little rainfall, while the
scarcity of mountain ranges in these regions tends to prevent rainfall.
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Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
In the inter-tropical zone of summer precipitation, the rainfall is greatest when the sun is
vertical or soon after. It is therefore greatest of all near the equator, where the sun is twice
vertical, and less in the direction of both tropics.
Within the equatorial zone certain areas, especially on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea
and in the upper Nile basin, have an intensified rainfall, but this rarely approaches that of
the rainiest regions of the world. The rainiest district in all Africa is a strip of coastland
west of Mount Cameroon, where there is a mean annual rainfall of about 390 inches. The
two distinct rainy seasons of the equatorial zone, where the sun is vertical at half-yearly
intervals, become gradually merged into one in the direction of the tropics, where the sun
Africa lies almost entirely within the tropics, equally to north and south of the equator.
Because of this, Africa does not show excessive variations of temperature.
In the north, the great width of the continent limits the moderating influence of the
oceans. Great heat is experienced in the lower plains and desert regions. In addition, the
north also has the greatest contrast between day and night, summer and winter.
Farther south, the heat may be modified by the moisture brought from the ocean, and by
the greater elevation of a large part of the surface, especially in East Africa, where the
range of temperature is wider than in the Congo basin or on the Guinea coast.
In the extreme north and south the climate is a warm temperate zone, the northern
countries being hotter and drier than those in the southern zone. Because the south of the
continent is narrower than the north, the ocean has a greater influence. Therefore it is not
quite as warm and dry as it is in the north.
The most important climatic differences are due to variations in the amount of rainfall.
The Sahara in the north and the Kalahari in the south receive very little rainfall. The
scarcity of mountain ranges in these regions tends to prevent rainfall.
Within the equatorial zone certain areas, especially on the shores of the Gulf of Guinea
and in the upper Nile basin, have an intensified rainfall, but this rarely approaches that of
the rainiest regions of the world. The rainiest district in all Africa is a strip of coastland
west of Mount Cameroon, where there is a mean annual rainfall of about 390 inches. The
two distinct rainy seasons of the equatorial zone, where the sun is vertical at half-yearly
intervals, become gradually merged into one in the direction of the tropics, where the sun
is overhead but once. Snow falls on all the higher mountain ranges, and on the highest
peaks the climate is thoroughly Alpine.
The countries bordering the Sahara are much exposed to a very dry wind, full of fine
particles of sand, blowing from the desert towards the sea. This winds great dryness
causes so much evaporation that cold temperatures often occur. Similar dry winds blow
from the Kalahari Desert in the south. On the eastern coast the monsoons of the Indian
Ocean are regularly felt, and on the southeast coast hurricanes are occasionally
experienced.
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Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Fauna of Africa
The more characteristic African fauna is found in the Afrotropical ecoregion - formerly
called Ethiopian (the Sub-Saharan Africa). Lying almost entirely within the tropics, and
equally to north and south of the equator creates favorable conditions for rich wildlife. In
arid areas of Northern Africa the fauna includes 129 species of mammals, 133 species of
resident birds, and 87 species of reptiles. Large mammals are mainly of Afrotropical and
small mammals of Mediterranean kinships. Birds are predominantly Mediterranean,
while reptiles are evenly balanced between Mediterranean and tropical species. Towards
south the fauna gradually changes to more typical African fauna.
Savannas are grasslands characterized by seasonal water availability, with the majority
of rainfall being confined to one season of the year. They provide habitats for a wide
array of animals, many of which foster the vegetation through grazing, pollinating, or
seed dispersal. Some areas of savanna are managed now to maintain the grazing
mammals, such as the ungulates. The Big Five game animals, zebras, hyenas, wildebeest,
cheetahs, gazelles and warthog are some examples of the grassland mammals. The Sahel
region was formerly home to large populations of grazing mammals too (including the
Scimitar-horned Oryx, Dama Gazelle, Dorcas Gazelle and Red-fronted Gazelle, and
Bubal Hartebeest, along with large predators like the African Wild Dog, Cheetah, and
Lion), but the larger species have been greatly reduced in number by over-hunting and
competition with livestock. The Great Rift Valley with its lakes and mountains goes
through the plains area of East Africa, and has especially diverse animal life.
The African equatorial rainforests are home to half of the continent's animal species. The
rainforests of Central Africa's Congo Basin are second largest in the world after the
Amazon. Africa's deforestation, road construction and slash-and-burn farming have
already wiped out roughly 90 percent of the West Africa's rainforests, whereas the
'bushmeat' hunting has diminished the numbers of animals. These forests are home to
numerous animals found nowhere else (e.g. okapi, bongos, gorillas, water chevrotain, and
pottos). Of special importance as a well-known biodiversity hotspot are the forests of
eastern Madagascar (lemurs, aye-aye, tenrecs, fossa).
The main desert regions in Africa are - the Sahara in northern Africa (home to African
Wild Ass, Nubian Ibex) and the Kalahari and Namib deserts, in the south. The Namid is
inhabited by many rare animals (African wild dog, Aardwolf, Black-footed cat, Meerkat)
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Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Habitats and Geographic Features
For grades 4 – 6 use the habitats and features that are highlighted in bold. For higher grades and more
advanced classes you can add the others.
Habitats of Africa:
To find where these habitats are located, refer to the World Biodiversity map on pg 11 in the National
Geographic World Atlas 7th edition.
Mediterranean Shrub.
Desert and Dry Shrub
Tropical Grassland and Savanna
Flooded Grassland
Mountain Grassland
Tropical Rain Forest
Mangrove
Geographic Features of Africa
To locate these features, use the physical map of Africa on pg 109 in the National Geographic World Atlas
7th edition.
Atlantic Ocean, West Coast
Atlas Mountains, F3 – F7
Cape of Good Hope, Y10
Congo Basin, P10 – P12
Congo River, R9
Ethiopian Highlands, L15 – M15
Great Rift Valley, U15 – L16
The Great Rift Valley extends from the Zambezi River
Delta (U15) to Djibouti (L16). Lakes Malawi,
Tanganyika and Turkana lie within this valley.
Indian Ocean, Southeast Coast
Kilimanjaro, Q15
Lake Victoria, P14
Madagascar, T18 – W17
Mediterranean Sea, D5 – D13
Nile Delta, F13
Nile River, F13 – P14
Red Sea, G13 – K15
Sahara Desert, H3 – H12
Sahel (the sudan), K3 – K13
Serengeti Plain, Q14
Somali Peninsula (Horn of Africa),
L1
Kalahari Desert, W11
Vocabulary
Adaptation – Something an animal has
or something an animal does to help it
survive.
Basin – All the land drained by a river
and the streams that flow into it.
Cape – A point of land extending into
the water.
Climate – The kind of weather a place
has over a period of years. Climate
includes conditions of heat and cold,
moisture and dryness, clearness and
cloudiness, wind and calm.
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Continent – One of the seven great
masses of land on the planet earth. The
continents are Africa, Antarctica,
Australia, Europe, North America and
South America.
Equator – An imaginary circle around
the middle of the earth, halfway between
the North Pole and South Pole.
Desertification – The process of turning
into an arid or desert land.
Direction – Any way in which one may
face or point. North, south, east, and
west are directions.
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Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Globe – A sphere with a map of the
earth on it. This is the most accurate
world map.
Activity #2
Pick a county in the region that they just
learned about.
Gulf – A large bay, arm of an ocean or
sea extending into the land.
Have them choose an animal that is from
their country. It can not be one of the
animals that was brought in for the
presentation.
Habitat – The place where an animal or
plant naturally lives or grows.
Isthmus – A narrow strip of land with
water on both sides of it, connecting two
larger bodies of land.
Have them find out what type of habitat
it lives in.
How it survives in that habitat.
Latitude - Distance north or south of the
equator measured in degrees.
What is its home range? Draw the home
range on a map.
Longitude – Distance east or west on the
earth’s surface, measured in degrees
from a certain meridian.
Activity #3
Ask the students if they could dig a hole
straight down through the center of the
earth all they way to the other side,
where would they wind up?
Map – A drawing of the earth’s surface
or a part of it, usually showing countries,
cities, rivers, seas, lakes and mountains.
Ocean – The great body of salt water
that covers almost 3 quarters of the
earth’s surface. The four main
subdivisions are the Arctic, Atlantic,
Indian and Pacific oceans. Some
consider the waters surrounding
Antarctica to be a separate ocean.
Extensions
Activity #1
Have the students draw a map of the
school, a local natural area or their
backyard. It should include landmarks
such as trees, any type of water such as a
pond or creek. It should also include
different habitats such as fields, woods,
ponds or wetlands.
Have the students find the location of the
school on the globe.
Have them find the opposite location on
the globe.
Mark these two locations on a flat map
How close is this to where they thought
they would be?
What Continent is it on, or what ocean is
it in?
If it is in the Ocean, what is the nearest
Continent? If it is on a Continent, what
is the nearest Ocean?
Have them identify on the map where
they may have seen any wildlife or signs
of animals such as a nest or tracks.
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Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Activity #4
Part One
Have the students think about every
place they went and everything they did
yesterday. Try to have them put these
things in order.
Have them draw a map of their
neighborhood.
Have them mark all the places where
they did these activities on there
personal home range maps.
Ask them the following questions:
Where did they sleep?
Where did they eat?
Where did their food come from?
Who got the food?
Where is their school?
Resources
National Geographic Atlas of the World,
7th edition.
National Geographic Society, 1999
P. Jay Fetner, African Safari,
St. Martin's Press , 1987
Arthur N. Strahler, Physical Geography,
2nd edition,
John Wiley and Sons, 1960
www.africanculturalcenter.org
www.geography.howstuffworks.com/
africa/geography-of-africa.htm
Have them mark these locations on their
maps
Compare this to the day of a wild
animal.
Part Two
Have the student observe an animal such
as a bird or a squirrel in their back yard.
Have them draw a map of places that the
animal visited while it was being
observed.
Try to figure out where it found food,
sought cover, where it may have a nest
or a den.
Compare this map to their personal
home range maps from part one.
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