10B - South Florida

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south florida lith detail
WKP topo detail
South Florida, including the Everglades and MiamiĀ  (Satellite Photograph)
South Florida, including the Everglades and Miami (Topographic Map)

South Florida
(TM)
South Florida
(Topo Map)
Windley Key
(Topo Map)
Port Mayaca
(NAPP)
Coconut Grove
(NAPP)
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Windley Key
(NAPP)
Coconut Grove (1896)
(Historic Map)
Coconut Grove (1896)
(Topo Map)
Windley Key
(aerial photograph)
 
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Rationale:

The landscapes of South Florida are very different from the rest of the Southeastern United States. Most of the region lies at or near sea level with the Everglades covering the majority of the land. This so-called River of Grass extends from Lake Okeechobee to the southern tip of Florida and is home to an amazingly diverse mix of plants and animals. The only living coral reefs in the mainland U.S. occur along the Florida Keys where conditions are just right for their growth and the water is warm enough year round to insure their survival. Periodic hurricanes affect the region as well.

Water has been the dominant force affecting population growth in South Florida. Early settlements like Coconut Grove and Miami were originally located along the limestone exposures of the Miami Ridge, but soon spread rapidly into the Everglades, requiring the construction of hundreds of canals to drain the wetlands. A highway and railroad route across the Florida Keys brought fame and fortune to Key West. Despite the abundance of fresh water in the area, saltwater incursion into wells has become a major environmental problem.

Themes

  • River of Grass, Tree Islands, Habitat Loss
  • Coral Reefs, Key West, and Unique Ecosystems
  • Native Americans, Coconut Grove, Sugar

Content Outline

  • Rationale
  • Performance Objectives
  • Assessment Rubrics
  • Newspaper Article
  • Study Area Description

Activity Titles

All activities include

  • Power Thinking Exercise
  • Materials
  • Performance Tasks
  • Enrichment
  1. Everglades and Water Issues
  2. The Florida Keys
  3. History and Land Use

10B Photo