This is a Christian Home School Lesson Series for 4-5 year old children on earth science that aims to fulfill the Science Content Standards from the California Department of Education.
Lesson 5: Canyons, Gorges and Rift Valleys
Purpose: To know three of six kinds of valleys.
Book(s) read:
Ellen Labrecque’s Valleys (Learning About Landforms).
Other tools:
Paper
Pencils
Eraser
Learning Objectives:
- Learn general knowledge about three kinds of valleys.
- Learn the vocabulary concerning three kinds of valleys..
- Illustrate what is learned in this lesson about three kinds of valleys.
- Learn a spiritual lesson concerning God’s creation of valleys.
Lessons
1. Learn general knowledge about valleys.
Tool 1: Read Ellen Labrecque’s Valleys (Learning About Landforms) pages 12-17.
Tool 2: Questions
What is your favorite picture from what we read?
What is something you learned from the reading?
Point to valleys in the picture in the book.
Tool 3: Further period of interactive instructions
Again valley is an area of land between hills or mountains.
Reminder: There are six kinds of valleys:
Canyons
Gorges
Rift valleys
Glacial valleys
River valleys
Submarine valleys
We will be looking at three kinds of the valleys.
Canyon
This is a deep valley with steep sides, often with a stream flowing through it.
“Canyon” comes from the Spanish word cañon, which means “tube” or “pipe.”” (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/canyon/)
Gorges
“The term “gorge” is often used to mean “canyon,” but a gorge is almost always steeper and narrower than a canyon.” (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/canyon/)
Rift valleys
“The valleys form when continental crust is pulling apart allowing the land to drop down between parallel faults.” (http://www.kids-fun-science.com/rift-valleys.html)
2. Learn the vocabulary concerning bodies of water and rivers.
(Note: Write down the vocabularies on a white board)
- Canyons: A deep valley with steep sides, often with a stream flowing through it.
- Gorges: a small canyon.
- Rift Valley: Valleys from when the earth’s plate moves.
3. Illustrate what is learned in this lesson about valleys.
Have four blocks to draw in.
First block label and draw a canyon.
Second block label and draw gorges.
Third block label and draw a rift valley.
Fourth block free drawing of valleys.
Switch paper and see the similarities and differences in one another’s drawings.
4. Learn a spiritual lesson concerning valleys.
Tool 1: Bible
“He sends forth springs in the valleys; They flow between the mountains;” (Psalm 104:10)
Psalm 104 is a Psalm praising God for His creation.
The “He” here is referring to God.
From our lessons we learned that streams of water often create valleys. Here we see God acknowledge that valleys are form by water.
Yet it is still God who created valleys since it is God who sends forth springs into the valley.
Tool 2: Questions
Are you amazed that God created mountains and valleys?
Review: Share what you learn today.
Deep valleys and gorges are impressive. Our Genesee River has cut several gorges, most notably the Letchworth gorge about an hour away which is called “the Grand Canyon of the East” although it’s only about one-tenth the magnitude of its Western counterpart. God’s creation is awesome!
Thanks for sharing about the Genesee River and Letchworth gorge! Never heard of the Grand Canyon of the east before. Since teaching this lesson a couple of weeks ago (what I post each week is delayed) I have been noticing local terrain and geographical features and my daughters as well! This is true even in an urban environment like Southern California where I live! Man can’t totally hide the glory of God’s creation even in the city of Man. Romans 1 is right isn’t it that though we surprise the truth still God’s revelation is clearly there displaying His wonder.
Yup, when we get out of the cities and suburban sprawl and see a natural wonder it takes our breath away and reminds us of the Creator!
Love the lesson