Topic: Steppes

Supplementary material for use in lessons in the group of natural sciences (nature, biology, chemistry, geography, physics), additional classes, science clubs. It can serve as a resource for expanding knowledge, preparing students for science competitions.

Target group

5th‑grade students of elementary school

Core curriculum

Grade V Geography
IV. Landscapes of the world: humid equatorial forest and temperate forest, savannah and steppe, hot and ice desert, taiga and tundra, Mediterranean, high altitude Himalayas; zonation and climatological vegetation in the world. Pupil:
3) presents the main features and compares the known landscapes of the world and recognizes them in descriptions, films and illustrations;

General aim of education

Students characterize the conditions prevailing on the steppe.

Key competences

• communication in foreign languages;

• digital competence;

• learning to learn.

Criteria for success
The student will learn:

• describe where the steppe occurs and what characterizes it;

• describe the climatic conditions in which steppes exist;

• discuss the economic importance of the steppes in the past and today.

Methods/techniques

• activating

  • discussion.

• expository

  • talk.

• programmed

  • with computer;

  • with e‑textbook.

• practical

  • exercices concerned.

Forms of work

• individual activity;

• activity in pairs;

• activity in groups;

• collective activity.

Teaching aids

• e‑textbook;

• notebook and crayons/felt‑tip pens;

• interactive whiteboard, tablets/computers;

• large sheets of paper with a continental outline, glue, scissors, crayons.

Lesson plan overview

Before classes

• Before the lesson, the teacher asks pupils to look in small magazines and on the Internet for small pictures of landscapes characteristic of the steppe..

Introduction

• The teacher explains the aim of the lesson and together with students determines the success criteria to be achieved.

• The teacher initiates a conversation introducing the topic.

  • What do you know about ...?

  • Have you ever met ...?

Realization

• The teacher uses the text of the abstract for individual work or in pairs, according to the following steps: 1) a sketchy review of the text, 2) asking questions, 3) accurate reading, 4) a summary of individual parts of the text, 5) repeating the content or reading the entire text.

• Students are selected into groups. Each team on sheets of paper with an outline of the continents. Using Gallery 1. Steppe distribution, the students mark places of the steppes on the posters. Posters give to the teacher..

• The students consolidate the acquired information, discussing it with their nearest neighbors („tell your neighbor” method).

• The teacher asks students to carry out the recommended interactive exercise themselves.

• Participants familiarize themselves with the content presented in the interactive illustration. Then the teacher discusses the issues with the students.

Summary

• The teacher asks students to carry out the recommended interactive exercise themselves.

• At the end of the class, the teacher asks the students questions:

  • What did you find important and interesting in class?

  • What was easy and what was difficult?

  • How can you use the knowledge and skills you have gained today?

  Willing/selected students summarize the lesson.

Homework

• Assess the importance of steppes developed for agricultural production. Include food products, feeds and raw materials for industrial production generated through animal husbandry and cultivation of fields on former steppe land.

The following terms and recordings will be used during this lesson

Terms

Texts and recordings

Steppes

In the temperate climate, areas located far away from seashore have developed a steppe landscape. In these regions, the Sun never reaches its zenith. A large distance from the sea means that air is dry and there is little rainfall. The summer is hot and dry, wheras winter is cold and also dry. Rainfall and moderate air temperatures occur for a relatively short period of time in the spring and autumn. Such type of temperate climate is called a continental climate.

In spring when temperatures are moderate and soil absorbs water from the melting snow, grass becomes greener and bulbs and rhizomes hidden in the soil can grow. The amount of water in the soil from rainfall, for instance, is too low to enable forests to grow there; even shrubs appear sporadically. Lakes are extremely rarely seen and rivers have their sources in more humid areas. The terrain is dominated by expansive, flat or slightly rippled surfaces covered in tall grass. The name “steppe” used in Poland comes from the Ukrainian language. In North America, such plant formation is called a prairie, whereas in South America – a pampa.

The steppe soil is fertile and rich in humus, allowing for abundant crop yields. Despite that fact, life on the steppes has its challenges. There is insufficient water and not many plants that produce edible fruit. Due to the absence of trees, there are no natural refuges against summer heat, winter cold and strong wings that blow almost without reprieve. Despite these difficulties, humans arrived on the steppes hundreds and in certain places even tens of thousands of years ago. They breed animals, mainly cattle. Animals were bread for milk and meat. Skins, bones and cottons, on the other hand, were materials used in the construction of portable houses called yurts (in Asia) or teepees (in America). Skins were used to make clothing, whereas cotton became the raw material in the production of linens, carpets and blankets. Even dried animal excrement was used as fuel or construction material. To this day, you can find shepherds who lead such a lifestyle in Mongolia.

Steppes are characterised by the most fertile arable soil – black soil. However, climatic conditions allow only grasses and other herbaceous plants to grow and develop. That’s why after a major part of the steppes, prairies and pampas has been ploughed, they have been transformed into fields on which mainly cereals are cultivated. In places with access to river water or groundwater artificial irrigation has been introduced, which made it possible to cultivate other plants. Steppes that were too arid or growing on weak soil were turned into enormous pastures for herds of livestock or sheep.

• Steppes can be found in the arid temperate climate zone.

• Steppes are characterised by hot, dry summers and cold, dry winters. Moderate temperature dominate in spring and autumn.

• The dominant plant life on steppes are grasses and herbaceous plants.

• Currently the major part of steppes is used for the cultivation of cereals as well as livestock and sheep breeding.