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Preparation

How does the soil in a present day cranberry bog act like a code to tell us about the past?

Lesson Plan:

Overview
Background
Materials
Preparation
Step-by-Step

 

 

 

 

 

 


  1. To prepare the model cranberry bog in the opaque container, follow steps 1a-1e.  See diagram of Core Sample Y, below, to guide you.
    1. Line the bottom of the container with about ¾- inch of clay/play dough.
    2. Add a ¾-inch layer of aquarium gravel
    3. Add about 3 inches of florist foam or dark modeling clay.
    4. Top off with about ½ to ¾ inches of sand. You may wish to scatter pieces of cranberry vine roots in the deeper layer of sand.

Set cranberry vine or substitute into the top sand layer.

  1. Prepare two core sample models for each “site”--X, Y and Z--in the clear, plastic tubes, as follows.Key to Core Samples (This will provide six core samples, enough for six small groups in your classroom.) Also see diagram below.  Cap and tape down or use strong tape to cover the top of each sample, and label each according to whether it is sample X, Y, or Z.
Core Sample X

Core Sample X:

  • Pour about 2 inches of sand into the bottom of one of the clear, plastic tube.

  • Cut a 4 inch layer of florist foam (or alternative peat model material) to fit into the tube and insert.
Core Sample Y

Core Sample Y:
This is the core that matches the cranberry bog, so it should be prepared to match the cranberry bog model you prepared in Preparation Step 1 (above):

  • Line the bottom of the container with about ¾- inch of clay/play dough.
  • Add a ¾-inch layer of aquarium gravel.

  • Line the bottom of the container with about ¾- inch of clay/play dough.

  • Add about 3 inches of florist foam or dark modeling clay.
Core Sample Z

Core Sample Z:

  • Pour about ½ to ¾ inches of sand into the bottom of a clear tube.
  • Add a 3-inch cylinder of florist foam (or alternate, representing peat) to fit the width of the tube.

  • Add a ¾-inch layer of aquarium gravel.

  • Top off with ¾ inch of clay (representing clay).

You should now have two each of the following model core samples:

Core Samples X-Y-Z

  1. Post the Cranberry Questions chart from “Welcome to the Bog” lesson.

  2. Clear a space on a wall and run masking tape across it to create a timeline. As an alternative, hang a rope or yarn across the front of the room to use as a timeline.

  3. Prepare index cards by printing the following timeline “anchors,” one on each card. Then mix the cards up.
    • Glacier covers parts of North America
    • Glacier retreats
    • Chunks of glacier take a while to melt
    • Kettle ponds form, with clay settling to the bottom, and gravel settling on the clay.
    • Peat builds up.
    • Wild cranberries grow in the rich, peaty soil.
    • Native Americans discover many uses for the cranberry.
    • The English value the cranberry and accept it as money.
    • Sea captains and sailors value the cranberry because it helps keep away scurvy during long voyages.
    • A sea captain realizes that wild cranberries thrive when they have sand blown on them from nearby dunes.
    • People begin farming the cranberry. Many bogs, once used for iron mining, turn out to be the perfect spot.
    • Today, cranberries grow in these areas (and newly developed ones, as well).
  1. Prepare for students to access and use the Beneath the Bog movie presentation, either as small groups (2-3 students) at computer stations, or as a whole-group experience.

  2. Make 1 copy of the Decoding the Core Study Student Worksheet for each student.

 

 

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