WHAT'S THE DIRT ON SOUTHEAST MISSOURI?

by Liana Jenkins, Advance School

National Geography Standards: 1, 4, 16

Show-Me Content Standards: SS 5, SS7, CA 4, CA 6

Show-Me Performance Goals: 1.2, 1.8, 2.1

The Southeastern Lowlands of Missouri are easily discerned on a topographic map of the state. The triangular area is bounded by the Mississippi River on the east, the Arkansas border on the south, and the Ozark foothills on the northwest. Once the home of dense swamps, the drained lowlands form one of the richest agricultural regions of the state. The rich alluvial soils and generous water supply produce abundant harvests of corn, soybeans, sorghum, and wheat, as well as cotton and rice. Agriculture focuses on crop production rather than livestock production due to soil productivity and land values.

PREVIEW OF THE LESSON
This lesson uses data provided by the Missouri Agriculture Statistics Service to examine the importance of the Southeastern Lowlands to the agriculture of the state. In cooperative groups, students will retrieve data from tables to create thematic maps of agricultural production in the seven counties of the Southeastern Lowlands. These maps will then be used to determine patterns of crop production.

CONNECTION WITH THE CURRICULUM
Reading/Research Skills, Social Studies, Writing

GRADE LEVEL
5-8

GEOGRAPHIC THEMES
Location, Place, Region

OBJECTIVES

1. Review the geography of the Southeast Lowlands.
2. Locate and label the seven counties of the region.
3. Use data to produce thematic maps.
4. Discuss the importance of this region to agriculture.
5. Draw a written conclusion based on thematic maps.

MATERIALS

1. Overhead of Missouri regions.
2. Overhead of Missouri counties.
3. Unlabeled county map of Missouri for each student.
4. Data tables for each student.
5. Colored pencils: yellow, blue, red, gray.
6. Black marker or crayon

SUGGESTIONS FOR TEACHING
Review the regions and the characteristics of the Southeast Lowlands: Low elevation, flat elevation, rich alluvial soils.
Display an overhead of Missouri counties. On their own county maps, have students identify and label the seven counties of the Southeast Lowlands region. Have students outline the region with a black crayon or marker. Students will need these maps to produce thematic maps later in the lesson.
Divide the class into small groups and assign one crop and one livestock product to each group. For example, group one will produce a thematic map about corn production, and group two on milk production. Pass out data tables and county outline maps to each group. Students will first title their maps by assigned topic, then color counties as follows:

Yellow: Counties ranking 1st in a production area
Blue: Counties ranking 2nd in a production area
Red: Counties ranking 3rd in a production area
Gray: Counties ranking 4th in a production area

Each group will report their findings to the class and display their thematic maps. When all the maps are displayed, use the following questions for discussion:

1. What patterns do you see? Why?
   Top rankings in crop production (except hay), but little livestock production. Three of the top four counties in: soybeans, wheat, sorghum, cotton and rice.
   
2. Are any counties among the top three producers in more than one crop?
   Stoddard in six crops; Pemiscot in three; New Madrid in five, Butler in two.
   
3. Are any counties not included among the top producers?
   Scott.
   
4. Do you think rice or cotton would be found n any other part of the state?
   No, due to climate, soils and the ability to flood irrigate for rice.
   
5. Why is the area a top producer of crops, but not livestock?
   Soil productivity and high land values.

After discussing the maps, assign the writing topic. One of these counties has the highest total cash receipts for the state for agricultural products. Which county do you think it is? Why? State your opinion and supply supporting details.

ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING
For correct locational skills, informally check students' labeling of the seven counties. Each group should produce a thematic map which is correctly colored. Check understanding of geographic skills when students present their thematic maps to the class, and as individual students participate in the class discussion. In the written paragraph, students should conclude that Stoddard County, which ranks as one of the state's top four producers of each of the six listed crops, has the highest receipts of all counties.