leap lessons iie captivating caves - lsu agcenter7a1f26fb... · 2015-12-09 · 4th-8th grade lesson...

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4th-8th Grade Lesson Plan 4-H Helps YOUth Leap into the 21st Century

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“Captivating Caves”


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Dear Project Helper,

This lesson, “Captivating Caves,” is part of an effort bythe 4-H Youth Development Department of the LSU AgCenterto provide teaching activities that are fun as well as educational.We are pleased that you have agreed to work with youth asthey learn and grow. You will help them learn scientific conceptsthat they will use for many years. These lessons address LouisianaContent Standards Science Benchmarks; therefore, what you dowith this activity should help strengthen students for LEAP testing.We appreciate your being a part of this effort.

ELA-1-M1: Using knowledge of word meaning and developingbasic and technical vocabulary using variousstrategies (for example, context clues, affixes,etymology, dictionary)

G-1A-E1: Identifying and describing the characteristics and usesof geographic representations, such as various typesof maps, globes, graphs, diagrams, photographs andsatellite-produced images

G-1B-E1: Describing and comparing the physical characteristicsof places, including land forms, bodies of water, soils,vegetation and climate

G-1C-E1: Describing how physical processes help to shapefeatures and patterns on Earth’s surface

SI-E-A3: Communicating that observations are made withone’s senses

SI-E-B4: Developing explanations by using observations andexperiments

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Learning Activity:“Captivating Caves”

Track:Earth ScienceLife Skills:

Visualizing Informationand Safety

Character Focus:Caring and Responsibility

Project Skill:Understanding types ofcaves, history of forma-

tion, underground lifeforms and the food chainLouisiana Content

StandardsBenchmarks:

ELA-1-M1; G-1A-E1;G-1B-E1; G-1C-E1;

SI-E-A3; SI-E-B4Delivery Mode:

4-H club meeting, scienceclass, school enrichment

and after-schoolprograms

Time Allotted:30-45 minutes

Minimum Numberof Participants:

15 to 20

Key Concepts:1. Cave types and formation2. Visualization3. Underground Life Forms

How Can Members Apply this Information?1. Vacations2. Science field trips or science classes

Getting Ready:1. Research caves on the Internet by contacting geologists or

by taking a guided tour of a show cave.2. Print pictures of caves from the Internet.3. Gather all supplies for activities.4. Duplicate handout on show caves and terms.5 Enlarge cave formation poster and labels.

What You Need for the Lesson:1. Pictures of caves2. Poster of cave formation3. Poster of Life Form Zones and set of Critter

Cards4. CD or tape player of sounds of nature or of

water dripping5. Gummy worms, plastic fishing worms, plastic

spiders, play slime, rice, misting fan, tickets andanimal-shaped erasers

6. (Optional) Cave Type Signs and Cave Name/Location Cards


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Background:Human beings have been exploring caves since thedawn of time. They provided shelter as well as acanvas on which prehistoric man could paint his de-sires for a good hunt. In more modern times, caveshave been used for a variety of purposes: refrigerated food storage during pioneer times,mining and weapons storage during the 1800s, speakeasies and hideouts for moonshine stillsduring Prohibition, and dance halls during World War II. Cumberland Caverns in Tennessee stillcontains a large dining hall that is used regularly for parties, receptions and Scout camp-outs.

Tennessee, with more than 8,400 caves, has more discovered caves than any other state.Missouri is home to 10 show caves and countless wild caves. Most states define caves asnatural features that can be entered by human beings and that are totally dark at some pointalong their lengths. However, many states also have additional qualifications, usually pertainingto length or size, as to what constitutes a cave. The deepest cave is the Kazumura - Olaa CaveSystem (Lava Tube) in Hawaii at 3,614 feet. The longest is Mammoth Cave in Kentucky at 246feet.

The study of caves is called speleology. Cavers, or people who make it a hobby to explorecaves, are often called spelunkers.

Some caves are formed when rainwater absorbs carbon dioxide as it falls through theatmosphere and through soil that has decaying plants. It forms a weak acid called carbonic acidthat seeps through cracks and crevices in hard rock and eats away soluble rock like limestoneor gypsum. After millions of years, underground passageways, rooms and chambers can beformed. As the acid seeps through limestone, it dissolves the calcium carbonate out of thelimestone. This dissolved mineral is dripped into the cave, where it is deposited in the shape oftiny crystals. These crystals are known as calcite, or cave onyx. They can coat the walls or theycan build up over time to form stalactites and stalagmites.

Caves are fragile environments. Touching an “active” formation causes growth to cease in thatarea because dirt or oil from your skin prevents water from reaching the growing formation.Enough touches, and the formation will “die.”

There are other types of caves. For example, there are those formed by lava flows, wavesbeating against a rocky coastline, boulder landslides or waterflowing through glaciers.

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4th-8th Grade “Captivating Caves” What You Say: What You Show or Do: What Participants Do:

What is a cave? What aresome words you would useto describe a cave? Did youknow that the United Stateshas a large number of showcaves? A show cave is a cavethat is open to the publicwith guided tours. One of themost famous is MammothCave in Kentucky. It is one ofthe longest systems ofcaverns, covering 346 miles.Do you know any otherfamous show caves orcaverns? Other nearby statesthat have show caves areTexas, Alabama, Arkansas,Tennessee and Florida. Whatis the difference between ashow cave and a wild cave?Wild caves are undevelopedcaves that are often located insecluded areas. These shouldbe entered only byexperienced cavers. Louisianahas a wild cave! Can youname the parish where ouronly cave is found?

Define cave. (A cave is anatural cavity or system ofpassageways either beneaththe earth’s surface or within acliff or ledge. It is large enoughto permit an individual toenter.)Give words that describecaves (dark, scary, damp,colorful, beautiful, mysterious,glistening).Name famous show caves.(Carlsbad Caverns, NewMexico; Jewel Cave NationalMonument, South Dakota; andLuray Caverns, Virginia)Guess which Louisiana parishhas a wild cave. (KisatchieNational Forest inNatchitoches Parish)

Allow time for discussion andpossible responses. Show amap of Louisiana, pointing outNatchitoches Parish. Showpictures of caves.

Natchitoches Parish


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(Experience)Some caves are formed whenrainwater absorbs carbon dioxideas it falls through the atmosphereand through soil that has decayingplants. It forms a weak acid calledcarbonic acid (like the fizz in softdrinks) that seeps through cracksand crevices in hard rock and eatsaway soluble rock like limestoneor gypsum. After millions of years,underground passageways, roomsand chambers can be formed.Passageways or chambers areformed in three different ways:

A.Underground streams.Water enters the cave systemthrough sinkholes and otherpoints on the surface. It travelsunderground and exits at aspring.

B. Quiet water. Sometimeswater moves very slowly under-ground, rather than rushing alongin underground streams. Many ofthe caves formed this way are

Divide group into two teams.Show 2 posters (sprayedwith spray adhesive) of thecave formation. Give eachteam a set of the labels andinstruct them to place themin the blank labels on theposter where they belong.Or, call two or three peopleforward from each team andgive each a label to place ontheir poster. Then call twomore people from eachteam and give each a label.They can move the otherlabel if they think it’s in theplace their label needs to go.You could give the twoteams different labels toplace so they wouldn’t feelpressured to follow theother’s actions. When bothteams are finished, go overthe posters and discuss thecorrect placement of labels.Then, ask the “share”questions

Divide into teams and labelthe parts of the formationof a cave. Answer the“share” questions.

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mazes of passages with manyinterconnections.

C.Vertical solution.Water flowing straight downcracks can develop passagesalmost like elevator shafts,except that the passages arecircular or oval.Stalactites andStalagmites:Stalactites are taperingstructures that hang likeicicles from the roofs ofcertain caves. Stalagmites aremounds or tapering columnsthat rise up from the cavefloor. The water dripping intothe cave is full of the mineralit has dissolved out of thelimestone. The mineral beginsto form tiny crystals, andthese build up into stalactitesand stalagmites.Today, you will divide intotwo teams to see which teamcan label the parts of theformation of a cave correctly.(Share)Which of the passages orchambers was formed by anunderground stream (thelowest passageway)? Whichwere formed by quiet water(the other horizontal cham-bers)? By vertical solution(the vertical passages formedby the waterfall and thesinkhole)?

Continued:


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Unlike the environment up onthe surface that is very change-able, the cave environment isconstant. It is a world of dark-ness, constant temperature andhigh humidity. Three types ofcritters can be found in caves:those like brown bats andraccoons that occasionallyventure into caves, those likedaddy longleg spiders andcamel-backed crickets thatspend most of their time incaves but go out occasionally,and those like blind shrimp andblind crayfish (crawfish) thatspend their entire lifespan insidethe cave. The difference betweenthese crawfish and shrimp andthose found in Louisiana is thatthose in caves are blind and donot need their eyes to navigatethrough the water. Since someof the animals cannot live out-side of the caves, what are theirfood sources? They all dependon sunlight even in the darkestareas of the cave. No greenplants grow here because theyneed light for photosynthesis.Cave animals must depend onoccasional floods to wash leaves,twigs and plant debris into thecave. Another food source is theanimal droppings from animalsthat go outside to feed thenreturn to the cave to sleep orraise their young. Only a fewanimals can directly feed onthese droppings to survive.Instead, bacteria and fungidecompose these materials into

Set up two posters sprayedwith spray adhesive. Giveeach team the set of crittercards, and instruct them toplace them where theybelong. When teams havefinished, go over correctplacement, giving reasons.

Place critter cards onposter in three categories.

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simple foods andnutrients. All animals in thecave system depend oneach other for survival.

Now, the same teams willplace critter cards on theseLife Form Zone Posters,deciding to which of thethree types each belongs:

Entrance Zone that receivessome light from the outsideand where creatures liveout of the cave most of thetime (Trogloxenes)

Twilight Zone that is lo-cated just beyond theEntrance Zone wherecreatures live inside thecave most of the time(Troglophiles)

Dark Zone that is notreached by natural lightwhere creatures live in thecave all of the time(Troglobites)


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(Experience)Now that you know a littleabout caves, are you ready totake an imaginary field trip to ashow cave? Close your eyes. Youwill hear sounds and feel “pre-tend” objects that will make youthink you’re inside a cave.(Share)What pictures formed in yourmind? What sounds did you hearthat could be like those in acave? What did you touch orfeel on your skin that is similarto something in a cave?(Process) Why is it importantto understand how caves areformed and learn what types ofliving things inhabit them?

Give members tour tickets.Tickets will be used fordoor prizes at the end ofthe tour. Example of doorprizes could be gummyworms, plastic spiders,animal-shaped erasers, etc.To distinguish the winner,put a sticker on the back ofseveral selected tickets.Have young people closetheir eyes and silently thinkof being in a cave environ-ment. Students could placetheir heads on the desk tohelp them focus more onthe darkness. Use a tape orCD of water sounds to helpkids visualize the setting.Have a misting fan (spraybottle fan) to representhumidity. As a tour “guide,”give them some visualimages of glistening wallscovered with crystals, oflong stalactites hangingfrom the ceiling, etc. Cau-tion them to stay back fromthe rushing undergroundstream and not to touchthe crystal formations. Havethem voluntarily feel gak(slimy substance), rice(animal droppings) andplastic fishing worms (crit-ters). Say, however, “DONOT DISTURB LIVEANIMALS!!” Collect ticketsand hand out door prizes.

Visualize a guided cave tour.Discuss what they visualizedin the cave, what they heardand what they felt.Discuss the importance ofunderstanding earth science(Ex.: cave formation). Seethat the balance of naturemeans different creatureslive in different habitats, butall depend on each other.NOTE: Instead of thisactivity, older youth can takepart in a matching game,matching actual caves withthe type of cave it repre-sents. Describe the types ofcaves. You could designatesome members as types ofcaves with signs they holdor hang around their necks.Then give other individuals(or small teams) cards withthe names and locations ofactual caves. They wouldhave 3 minutes to match.

Solution caves (karstcaves) are most likely tobe found in carbonicrock formations, such aslimestone, gypsum. Theyform by water runningoff non-soluble harderrock through the solublerock. (Linville Caverns,North Carolina)

Talus caves, or bouldercaves, are found at thebase of a cliff or slopeand are usually the

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result of a rockslide.(Pinnacles NationalMonument, California)

Crevice caves are usuallyfound where a cliff facehas pulled away from thestable rock face, creatinga crack or crevice thatsometimes widens enoughfor a person to explore.(Mount Nemo in Canadaon Ontario’s NiagaraEscarpment)

Sea caves are foundgenerally where wavesbeat against sandstoneareas along a coastline.(Acadia National Park,Maine)

Lava Caves are tubesthat form when moltenrock flows away fromvolcanoes. Cool air causesthe rock to harden on theoutside and, when all thelava has drained out, thetube becomes a cave.(Thurston in HawaiianVolcanoes National Park)

Ice caves are formed bywater flowing underneathglaciers of ice. Light pass-ing through the ice makesthe caves blue. (ErebusGlacier Tongue,Antarctica)

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You need to follow some veryimportant rules if you plan toexplore a wild cave.a. Never go alone.b. Take at least three sources oflight per person.c. Realize that caves are veryfragile and that much damagecan be done, even accidentally.d. Go with someone who isfamiliar with caves.e. Make sure people knowwhere you are and when toexpect you back.f. Get the cave owner’s permis-sion before entering the cave.g. Do not go into caves when itis raining or when it might rain.Caves can flood quickly.h. Take nothing but pictures;leave nothing but footprints; killnothing but time.(Generalize)Why should you follow rules?How are these rules similar tothose you have at home and atschool? How can you applyresponsibility to this lesson?How can you apply responsibil-ity to school and home? Howdoes caring apply to this lesson?How can you show these char-acter traits at home or school?

Allow time for discussionand response.

Discuss the rules at homeand school that keep themsafe as well as show re-sponsibility and caringthrough respectful behav-ior. (You act responsibly ifyou do not disturb thefragile structures in a cavejust as you do not damageor abuse the things athome or school. You showcaring for the creaturesinside a cave by allowingthem their space just asyou do others at home andschool.)

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(Apply)How can you teach othersabout caves? What age groupwould you teach? What kind ofgame or activity would you dowith them so they could learnthe information in a fun way?Can you tell the group whenyou plan to do this?

Remind them of thematching and visualizationactivities. Show them thefollowing Internet site for avirtual cave tour and thestalactite and stalagmiteexperiment.

Decide on an audience,cave topic and activity toteach. Offer a time frame.


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Ways to Help Members Learn More:1. Visit Web sites such as the virtual cave site at

www.goodearthgraphics.com/virtcave.html

2. Make stalactites and stalagmites. You need two plastic glasses, a small plate,three pieces of woolen thread, a spoon and baking soda. Fill the two plastic glasses with verywarm water. Dissolve as much baking soda in each one as you possibly can. Place the twoplastic glasses in a warm place and put the small plate between them. Twist three strands ofwoolen thread together. Dip one end of the twisted thread in one plastic glass and the otherend in thesecond glass. Let the thread hang down in the middle over the plate. Leave the glasses in awarm, dry place for several days. You will see tiny stalactites and stalagmites forming in thecenter of the wool. (Adapted from http://www.madscience.org/Kids/Experiments/Experiment04/index.htm)

3. Distribute handout of U.S. map with states with show caves anddefinitions for common geological cave terms.

4. Have students research famous show caves in North America.

5. Take an educational field trip to a nearby show cave.

6. Research how caves are classified, and choose one kind to drawand discuss with group.

7. Research underwater caves and how they differ fromunderground caves.

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Resources:www.nps.gov/ozar/glossary.htmwww.reachoutmichigan.org/www.nps.gov/ozar/cavelife.htmlhttp://dwb.unl.eduwww.kdu.com/caveglos.htmlwww.uppercumberlandcaving.nethttp://www.amazingcaves.com/http://www.madscience.org/Kids/Experiments/Experiment04/index.htm

Authors:LSU AgCenter Extension Agents Becky Owen, MorehouseParish, and Robin Walker, St. Mary Parish.

Coordinators: Terril Faul, State 4-H Leader; Sarah Williams and DebbieHurlbert, State 4-H Youth Development Faculty; Sara Seals,State 4-H Curriculum Specialist (retired).

Career Options:Geologist,

researcher,biologist,

archaeologist,environmentalist,

4-H agent

Acknowledgments:This lesson plan was

reviewed for accuracy byJohn M. Wakeman, Ph.D.,

Professor, BiologicalSciences, Louisiana

Tech University, andCharles F. Cicciarella, Ph.D.,

Assistant Professor,Department of Health and

Exercise Sciences,Louisiana Tech University,

and Chair, Human SciencesSection, National

Speleological Society.Louisiana Content

Standards, published byLouisiana State

Department of Education.


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Handout:

Common Cave TermsCave Formations — are crystalline depositsof calcium carbonate found in caves. Theyinclude soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites,columns, cave coral, draperies and flowstone.

Soda Straws — are thin-walled hollow tubesabout 1/4 inch in diameter. They form as waterdrips through their centers and deposits ringsof calcite around the rim of the formations.

Stalactites — grow down from the ceilingand form as mineral layers are deposited bywater flowing over the outside of soda straws.They form after the centers of the hollow sodastraws become plugged.

Stalagmites — grow up from the floor wheremineral-laden water drips from above. Stalag-mites are often, but not always, found beneathstalactites. They have flat or rounded tops ascompared to the carrot-shaped stalactites.

Columns — are formed when stalactites andstalagmites grow together or when one ofthem grows all the way to the floor or ceiling.

States With Show Caves:

Cave Coral or Popcorn — are irregularclusters or rough knobs of crystalline calciumcarbonate. They build up on walls and exist-ing formations or on the floor and walls ofpools.

Draperies — form where drops of mineral-laden water trickle down the undersides ofinclined ceilings, leaving deposits in lines thatfold and curl as if they were drapes orcurtains.

Flowstone —forms where films of waterflow over walls, floors and formations, depos-iting sheets of calcium carbonate like icing.

Commercial or Show Caves — are cavesthat are open to the public with guided tours.A fee is usually charged.

Wild Caves — are undeveloped caves oftenlocated in secluded areas. A wild cave shouldbe entered only by experienced cavers. Nofee is usually charged, and there are no lights,pathways, etc.

ID

CA

OR

AZ

CO

NM

TX

ARAL

FL

MO

SD

MN

IA

WI

TNKY

OHIN VA

WV NY

NH

PA

Hawaii

Puerto RicoBermuda

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Passage

Surfacestream

Chamber

Pool Underground stream

Stalagmite Column

Cave Formation Poster and labelsKey:

Waterfall

Waterfall

Limestone Sinkhole

Stalactite


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Surface Stream

Sinkhole

Stalagmite

Cave Formation

Chamber

Underground Stream

Stalactite

Passage

Limestone

Waterfall

Pool

Column

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Life Forms Poster andCritter Card Sets

Entrance Zone — Out Most of the Time

Twilight Zone — In Most of the Time

Dark Zone — In All of the Time


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Little Brown BatRaccoon

Packrat

Camel Backed Harvestman Blind Cave Beetle Cave Cricket (“Daddy Longlegs”)

Adult Cave Salamander

Blind Millipede Copepod

Blind Crayfish

Blind Shrimp

Blind Flatworm Blind Texas Salamander

Trogloxenes – Animals that visit caves but return to the surface regularly.

Troglophiles – Animals that can and do live in caves, but are capable of surviving outside.

Troglobites – Animals that spend their entire lives in caves.

Critter Cards Key


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Little Brown Bat

Raccoon

Packrat


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Camel BackedCave Cricket

Harvestman“Daddy Longlegs”)

Adult Cave Salamander

Blind Cave Beetle

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Blind MillipedeBlind Flatworm

Copepod

Blind Texas Salamander

Blind Shrimp

Blind Crayfish


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Solutioncaves or

karst caves

Talus cavesor boulder

caves

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Crevicecaves

Sea caves


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Lava caves

Ice caves

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This material is based on work supported by the Technology Assisting Louisiana Youth (TALY) project funded in part by the United States Department ofEducation through Online Louisiana, Inc.

Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, William B. Richardson, ChancellorLouisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, David J. Boethel, Vice Chancellor and Director

Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, Paul D. Coreil, Vice Chancellor and Director

Pub. 2898-E (Online) 11/04

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Departmentof Agriculture. The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.

leap lessons iie captivating caves - lsu agcenter7a1f26fb... · 2015-12-09 · 4th-8th grade lesson...

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