Welcome, Little Fox readers. My name is Mr. Fay. My students and I just started an exciting new social studies unit: world landmarks. We're learning about some of the world's most famous places and buildings. Each week Melissa, Jake, or Alex will tell you about what we discovered. We're glad that you can join us!
Yesterday was our first lesson. We studied the Grand Canyon, a huge canyon in the United States.
Melissa is going to tell you all about it. So sit back and relax as you learn about this amazing place!
Hi everyone! As Mr. Fay said, yesterday our class learned about the Grand Canyon, located in the state of Arizona. At first I thought it was going to be boring, but it wasn't at all!
Mr. Fay began with the story of how the canyon was made. He said that millions of years ago, a river began flowing over layers of stone. This river—known today as the Colorado River—made grooves in the sheets of rock that grew deeper and wider. Over time the rock became a long valley with steep walls: the Grand Canyon.
Some rocks in the canyon are about 2.5 billion years old. Because the canyon is so old, there are some really interesting things in the rocks, like ancient shells. You can also find other cool fossils, like ones of sponges, fish teeth, and animal footprints.
In the twentieth century, scientists found something else in the canyon: small twig figures shaped like deer and other animals. Scientists think these figures are thousands of years old. The figures show that humans, especially Native Americans, have been living in the Grand Canyon region for a very long time.
Europeans and Americans didn't really know much about the canyon until 1869. That's when an American geologist named John Wesley Powell decided to lead the first official river expedition through the canyon.
Powell and his men faced many hardships, especially treacherous currents and harsh weather. It must have been extra hard for Powell because, guess what? He only had one arm! As the men explored, they took pictures, studied rocks, and drew maps. Then they shared the canyon with the world. Powell even named it, calling it the Grand Canyon because of its size and magnificent beauty.
In 1919 the U.S. government turned the Grand Canyon into a national park to protect the canyon's wildlife and landscape. Now almost five million people go to Arizona each year to visit Grand Canyon National Park.
Mr. Fay said the best way to see the canyon is by hiking. The park has short walks along the canyon's edge, but it also has a 34-kilometer hike that goes along the bottom of the entire canyon. 34 kilometers! If you're like me and just the thought of walking that far wears you out, you can see the canyon in other ways—such as by helicopter, boat, or mule. (Personally I'd choose the helicopter!)
If you do go hiking down to the bottom, be sure to take plenty of water, sunscreen, and a map. Also be prepared for all kinds of weather. Mr. Fay said the canyon is so deep that the weather changes drastically as you descend. When he visited in the winter, he was hiking along through some snow near the rim. But later, when he reached the bottom, it was hot and sunny!
Next Mr. Fay showed us pictures of animals that live in the canyon today. We saw photos of bighorn sheep standing on rocky cliffs, beavers chomping on trees, and eagles soaring in the sky.
Mr. Fay also showed us pictures of scary animals, like coyotes and mountain lions. He said to watch out for coyotes especially because they'll come right into your campsite looking for food. Some other scary animals in the canyon are rattlesnakes and scorpions. I didn't like seeing pictures of them. They give me the creeps!
One animal we learned a lot about was the California condor, the largest flying bird in North America. I was really sad when I found out that condors are endangered. In 1987 there were less than ten left in the whole world! But thanks to the work of conservationists, California condors are returning to the Grand Canyon, and their numbers are rising. Mr. Fay actually got to see one when he visited. He said that when condors fly, their gigantic, flapping wings make the sound of thunder!
The Grand Canyon is really amazing. However, like a lot of Earth's beautiful natural landmarks, it is also in danger. Because of pollution and tourism, the land is being worn down and animal habitats are being destroyed.
Luckily some groups are working to protect the canyon—and you can help too. If you're ever there, be sure to pick up your trash, stay on the marked paths, leave the wild animals alone, and tell others to do the same.
After we finished learning about the Grand Canyon, our class made a big mural of it. My friends painted a condor flying over the canyon and a one-armed man in a boat on the river. I added myself, waving from a helicopter.
I think our teacher described the Grand Canyon best. He said it's like "a book that tells the history of the earth." I know what he meant now: the layers of the canyon's ancient walls hold the story of life on our planet. What an awesome place!
That's all for now, everyone. I wonder what our next landmarks lesson will be about. I guess we'll find out together next week!