Teacher Page
Laura and the Hoppers
The story of the Grasshopper plagues that Laura Ingalls
Wilder wrote about in her book, On the Banks of Plum Creek,
is one of the best descriptions of that devastating event.
The plagues were caused by invasions of Rocky Mountain Locusts
that are now extinct. Much additional information about
the locust invasions in the Midwest are available at our web
pages at Missouri State University's
Agricultural History
site. At that location you can find information about
the natural history of the locusts, how early farmers responded,
stories of the devastation and destitution that resulted, plus
additional links. Material for discussing how we might
address such disasters today is also presented.
Life Science (Organisms and Their Environments)
- All animals depend on plants. Some animals eat plants
for food. Other animals eat animals that eat plants.
- An organism's patterns of behavior are related to the nature
of that organism's environment, including the kinds and numbers
of other organisms present, the availability of food and
resources, and the physical characteristics of the environment.
When the environment changes, some plants and animals survive
and reproduce, and others die or move to new locations.
- All organisms cause changes in the environment where they
live. Some of these changes are detrimental to the
organism or other organisms, whereas others are beneficial.
- Humans depend on their natural and constructed environments.
Humans change environments in ways that can be either beneficial
or detrimental for themselves and other organisms.
Technology
- Students use a variety of media and
formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to
multiple audiences.
- Students use technology to locate, evaluate and collect
information from a variety of sources.
- Students use technology tools to process data and report
results.
- Students evaluate and select new information resources
and technological innovations based on the appropriateness
for specific tasks.
- Students use technology resources for solving problems
and making informed decisions.
- Students employ technology in the development of
strategies for solving problems in the real world.
Go Back.
This page was developed by
Lyndon Irwin, reviewed by Lyndon and Barbara Irwin and is
maintained by Missouri Farm Bureau.
Please address questions to
Diane Olson at Missouri
Farm Bureau or
Dr. Lyndon Irwin at
Missouri State University.
©2004 Missouri
Farm Bureau, All Rights Reserved!
Last revised on
March 17, 2005