PA+Natural+Resources

Objectives:
The students will locate three major river systems in Pennsylvania The students will debate mining resources of natural gas or coal in Pennsylvania The students will understand that Pennsylvania has unique geographic regions that determine how the people use the land.

Standards:

 * 7.1.4.B:** Describe and locate **places** and **regions** as defined by physical and **human features.**
 * 8.2.4.A:** Differentiate common characteristics of the **social, political,** cultural, and **economic** groups from Pennsylvania.


 * 1. Creativity and Innovation:** Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative products and processes using technology.
 * 2. Communication and Collaboration**: Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively, including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of others.
 * 3. Research and Information Fluency:** Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information
 * 4. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making:** Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.

Procedure:
1. Students read pages 10 -11 and discuss river systems of Pennsylvania and resources they provide 2. Students read pages 14 - 17 and discuss coal mining in Pennsylvania. 3. Students will watch video on coal mining and natural gas 4. Students will research the pros and cons for mining in Pennsylvania 4. Students will debate pros and cons about mining coal or natural gas in Pennsylvania

Differentiated Instruction Options:
1. Below level learners list products that come from Pennsylvania's natural resources 2. Students may write a job description for a Help Wanted Ad to work with one of Pennsylvania's natural resources

Assessment:
1. Students can locate three major river systems 2. Students can debate the pros and cons of mining coal or natural gas in Pennsylvania 3. Students can understand that Pennsylvania has unique geographic regions that determine how people use the land.

Resources:
Switala, W. (1996). //Pennsylvania USA//. Parsippany, New Jersey: Silver Burdett Ginn DEP - Just for Kids. Retrieved on July 27 2011 from [] Real Life Read Issues - PA Natural Resources. Retrieved on July 27 2011 from [] Kids Korner - Natural Gas. Retrieved on July 27 2011 from [] Kids Korner - Lets Explore Coal. Retrieved on July 27 2011 from [] Visit the Mine. Retrieved on July 27 2011 from [] Tour-Ed Coal Mine and Museum. Retrieved on July 27 2011 from [] How Do They Do It?: Coal Mining. Retrieved on July 27 2011 from [] Centralia Coal Fire. Retrieved on July 27 2011 from []