How Caves Are Formed 
 
 

Grade Level(s):  5th through 8th

Learner Outcomes:
 

Students will explore the wonders of a cave through technology.
Students will explore various types of cave formations.
Students will use Scientific Processing skills to conduct a scientific investigation.
Students will plan and conduct a long-term investigation.
Students will analyze and interpret data.

Part I:  Virtual Tour: (1-2)  45 minute class period(s)
Part II:  1 (45 minute class period to set up the "crystal activity")  Allow 15-20 minutes each day for observation and data collection.

Pencil, Virtual Cave worksheet, Journal worksheet, hard copy of "kid's activities" from "Cave of the Winds", materials for growing crystals (see activity sheet for more details).

Multimedia computers with internet access, word processing program, printer, data projector, digital camera, Encyclopedia on CD ROM

All students should have on file a current internet permission form/acceptable use policy.
This lesson requires to use of a computer lab.
Students may be paired up or work independently.
Teacher's need to create a folder for electronic journal entries or provide a floppy disk for each student.
When taking pictures of crystals, mark with masking tape a specific spot to take pictures from each day. 
Students may need instructions on using a digital camera.
Safety first:  Wear eye protection when constructing the crystal activity.  Wash hands afterwards.  Do not eat or taste!

1.  Log on to the computer
2. Click internet explorer (e)
3. In the URL address type: www.caveofthewinds.com
4. Click on "Kid's Activities"
5. Begin your tour by clicking "Cave Quiz".  Pretest Write your answers on paper. Click on "Kid's Activities" to go back to next activity.
6. Click the "Cave Terms", pictures are available with the term.  When you are finished here click "Kid's Activities" to go back.
7. Next click on "Virtual Tour".  When you are finished here click "Kid's Activities" to go back.
8. Click "Make Formations".  Print one copy per group.  Have groups to choose one of the activities to construct. 
9. Click "Bat Quiz".  Let the students take the quiz to see how much they really know.
10.Students may want to visit the "Fun Activities" before leaving this site. Students may want to make copies of the Color sheets or Maze. 
11. Click "Cave Quiz".  Post-test/Write your answers on paper.  Click on answers at the end of quiz.  Check and make corrections.  When you are finished, click "Kid's Activities" to go back. 
12. Close out the window and log off the computer.

1. Gather materials and follow the directions for growing crystals.  Note:  Be sure to follow safety precautions.  Wear eye protection, wash hands, be careful if you heat the water. 
2. Over the next 5 days watch your crystals grow.
3. Use a digital camera to take pictures each day.  Be sure to stand in the same place each time.  Note:  Place a piece of masking tape on the floor at a distance for taking a good shot of your crystals.
4. Measure the stalactites and stalagmites daily.  Be careful not to disturb them, for they are very fragile and will break. 
5. Record your observations and measurements in your journals.  Don't forget to record both measurements.

Students who do not have internet approval will use an encyclopedia on CD-ROM to research cave structures.
Special needs students will work cooperatively with a partner.

research "Bats"

State and National Standards:
West Virginia IGO'S:
       Science:  5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.7, 5.14, 5.16, 5.18, 5.19, 5.46, 5.50, 5.51, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.6, 6.7, 6.14, 6.18,   6.19, 6.63, 6.67, 6.69, 6.74, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.7, 7.12, 7.14, 7.16, 7.17, 7.57, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4, 8.5, 8.7, 8.12, 8.14, 8.16, 8.17, 8.60, 8.64
       Technology:  5.65, 5.66, 5.67, 5.68, 5.73, 5.74, 5.77, 5.79, 6.82, 6.83, 6.84, 6.87, 6.92, 6.94, 6.98, 7.78, 7.79, 7.80, 7.83, 7.87, 7.90, 7.92, 8.84, 8.85, 8.86, 8.87, 8.90, 8.96, 8.97, 8.98
       Math:  5.23, 6.24, 7.31, 8.30
       Language Arts:  5.16, 5.61, 5.64, 6.20, 6.23, 6.24, 6.57, 6.66, 7.22, 7.54, 8.22, 8.27, 8.55, 8.64

National Standards:

Earth and Space Sciences 
 Standard 2: Understands Earth's composition and structure 

  Grade 3-5 

 1. Knows how features on the Earth's surface are constantly changed by a combination of slow and rapid
 processes 

 Grade 6-8 

 2.  Knows how land forms are created through a combination of constructive and destructive forces

 Nature of Science 
 Standard 11: Understands the nature of scientific knowledge 

  Grade3-5 

 3. Knows that scientists make the results of their investigations public; they describe the investigations in
 ways that enable others to repeat the investigations 
 

 Grade 6-8 

 3. Knows that all scientific ideas are tentative and subject to change and improvement in principle, but for
 most core ideas in science, there is much experimental and observational confirmation 
 
 
 

 Nature of Science 
  Standard 13: Understands the scientific enterprise 

   Grade3-5 

 2. Knows that although people using scientific inquiry have learned much about the objects, events, and
 phenomena in nature, science is an ongoing process and will never be finished 
 

   Grade 6-8 

 5. Knows that throughout history, many scientific innovators have had difficulty breaking through accepted
 ideas of their time to reach conclusions that are now considered to be common knowledge 
 

 Language Arts 
 Writing 
 Standard 1: Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process 

 Grade 3-5 

 7. Writes expository compositions 

 10. Writes expressive compositions 
 

  Grade 6-8 

 11. Writes compositions that address problems/solutions 

 12. Writes in response to literature 
 
 

  Standard 4: Gathers and uses information for research purposes 
 

   Grade 3-5 

 4. Uses electronic media to gather information 

  5. Uses key words, guide words, alphabetical and numerical order, indexes, cross-references, and letters on
 volumes to find information for research topics 

8.  Uses strategies to compile information into written reports or summaries

   Grade 6-8 

5. Determines the appropriateness of an information source for a research topic 

6.  Organizes information and ideas from multiple sources in systematic ways

Mathematics
Standard 3:  Uses basic and advanced procedures while performing the processes of computation

Grade 3-5

Grade 6-8

 Technology
Standard 6:  Understands the nature and uses of different forms of technology.

Grades 3-5

Grades 6-8

Job/Career Clusters:

Archeologist
Archeological Conservator
Paleontology 

References:

Cave of the Winds/Kid's Activities
The Virtual Cave 
Actden tutorial
clipartconnection

 
 

Rob Cline
Kim Dennison
Cynthia Sprouse