Week 2 @ St. Georetti

BEd journey

At Ar gorettis - Week 2 (18.11.24- 22.11.24)

November 22, 2024

 Week 2 Reflection: November 18, 2024 - November 22, 2024

November 18, 2024: Geographical Categorization of the Thar Desert  

In today’s class, we focused on the geographical categorization of the Thar Desert. I explained how the Thar Desert is divided into different regions based on its topography, climate, and vegetation. We discussed the arid, semi-arid, and hyper-arid zones, and how each zone differs in terms of rainfall, soil, and vegetation. To help students understand, I used a combination of maps and diagrams, and we had a discussion on the regions within the Thar Desert that are suitable for human habitation versus those that are uninhabitable. The students seemed to grasp the concept well, but some struggled with distinguishing between the different categories of aridity. For future lessons, I will continue to reinforce this by using interactive tools like quizzes and diagrams.

November 19, 2024: River Luni & Salt Lakes

The class on River Luni & Salt Lakes was an interesting exploration of how the Luni River, which originates from the Aravalli Hills, flows through the desert, providing a vital water source for the region. I discussed the river’s characteristics, including its intermittent flow and how it eventually drains into the Rann of Kutch, contributing to the creation of salt lakes. The students were particularly curious about the salt lakes and asked insightful questions about how salt is extracted. I made use of pictures of salt production in the Rann of Kutch to illustrate the process. To ensure deeper understanding, I plan to encourage the students to explore the economic significance of salt production in the region. Overall, the students were engaged, but some needed clarification on the river’s course and its seasonal variations, which I will revisit in upcoming lessons.

November 20, 2024: Different Types of Landforms in the Desert Due to Erosion

In today’s class, we delved into the landforms formed due to erosion in the Thar Desert. I explained how wind erosion creates sand dunes, rocky outcrops, and pediments. I showed images of these landforms and used physical models to explain the process of erosion in the desert. Students were eager to learn about the different types of erosion that occur in the desert and how they shape the landscape. Some students had difficulty visualizing the process of erosion, so I plan to use more detailed animations and videos next time. Despite this, the students engaged well with the material, and I encouraged them to think about how erosion affects human settlement and agriculture in the desert.

November 21, 2024: Landforms Formed Through the Process of Deposition

Today's class focused on the landforms created through deposition in the desert. We discussed sand dunes, sand sheets, and loess plains. I used examples of these landforms in the Thar Desert and around the world to help students visualize how wind deposits sand and other materials to form new landscapes. The students actively participated in discussions about how deposition shapes the desert’s topography and how these features contribute to desertification. One challenge I noticed was that some students were confused about the difference between erosion and deposition. To address this, I plan to incorporate more hands-on activities, such as drawing diagrams comparing the two processes, in future lessons.

November 22, 2024: The Oases & Summer Season

The last class of the week focused on the oases and the summer season in the Thar Desert. I explained the role of oases as vital water sources in the desert and how they support both human settlements and wildlife. We also discussed the challenges of the summer season, including extreme temperatures and water scarcity. Students were curious about how life adapts to the harsh conditions of the summer in the desert. We had a discussion about the coping mechanisms used by both plants and animals to survive in such extreme conditions. To make the topic more interactive, I asked students to consider how they would survive in the desert during the summer, which sparked a lot of interesting ideas. I also plan to assign a project in which students research how different animals and plants adapt to desert life, which will help deepen their understanding of this topic.

Reflection:

This week was productive, as the students made significant progress in understanding the geographical and environmental features of the Thar Desert. The topics of erosion and deposition were especially engaging, and the students seemed to grasp the concepts well. However, some students had difficulty distinguishing between erosion and deposition, so I plan to reinforce these concepts in the next week. I also realized the importance of using more visual aids, such as diagrams, animations, and real-world examples, to ensure that the students can visualize complex processes like erosion and deposition.

For the upcoming week, I plan to focus on integrating more interactive activities and real-life examples to make these topics more relatable. I also aim to give students more opportunities to ask questions and explore the topics in-depth through group discussions. I am confident that these strategies will help the students gain a deeper understanding of the desert ecosystem and its landforms.