River of Grass Slides Nature Heroes IEP Adapted
Marjory Stoneman Douglas
The Guardian of the "River of Grass"
Let's explore the Everglades!
Slide 1 of 7
What is the Everglades?
Slide 2 of 7
Not a Swamp! 🚫
It is a giant, slow-moving river of water. It is filled with tall grass.
Home to Wild Animals 🐊
It gives fresh water to birds, alligators, fish, and panthers.
Slow Fresh Water 💧
The fresh water flows slowly like a wide, grassy field.
Animals 🦅
Birds, fish, and wild panthers make their homes here.
What animal from the Everglades do you like best?
Meet Marjory
Slide 3 of 7
1
She Loved Words ✍️
Marjory loved to write stories about the beautiful outdoors.
2
Moved to Florida ☀️
She moved in 1915 and fell completely in love with the land.
3
A Nature Explorer 🌿
She knew the Everglades was a magical treasure to keep safe.
Her Idea 💡
"To be a companion to the earth, not its master."
Marjory believed nature has the right to live!
Trace & Point: Touch your desk if you love writing or drawing!
The Danger! ⚠️
Slide 4 of 7
What was the bad plan?
Draining Water 🛑
People wanted to pump out all the water to make the ground dry.
Building Houses 🏢
They wanted to build houses and giant shops on top of the grass.
What Happens If We Drain It?
No Water = Plants and Grass Die 🌾🛑
No Water = Animals Have No Home 🐊🛑
The wild Everglades is GONE! 😢
Why do wild animals need clean water?
How Marjory Helped
Slide 5 of 7
1. She Wrote a Book 📚
She wrote "River of Grass" . It showed everyone that the water is special, not a dirty swamp.
2. She Spoke to Leaders 🗣️
She told the leaders to save the water. She was very brave and used her loud voice.
Words to Know 🔍
Help Term
Protect 🛡️
To keep safe.
👉 Protecting nature keeps it safe from harm.
Say It Together: Let's clap our hands 2 times for PRO-TECT! 👏
A Great Win! 🏆
Slide 6 of 7
Everglades National Park 🏞️
The government protected the land. Nobody can destroy it now.
Presidential Medal 🏅
The President gave Marjory a huge medal for being a nature hero.
Her Legacy 🌿
Because of Marjory, the Everglades is safe.
We can all be heroes of nature!
She lived to be 108 years old! She never gave up.
What is one thing near you that you want to protect? (Trees, plants, birds?)
Ready to Explore Slide 7 of 7
1
Read the Story
We will read our easy story sheets together.
2
Sort the Words
We will sort what helps vs hurts the Everglades.
3
Exit Ticket
Show what you learned on your exit ticket. You got this!
Every big helper starts small!
Let's Go!
Everglades Guardian Reading Worksheet Adapted Nature Study Name: ______________________ Date: _________
Marjory's River of Grass
1. The Everglades 🌾
The Everglades is a special place in Florida. It is not a dirty swamp! It is a wide, slow river of fresh water 💧. It has tall green grass 🌿. It is home to wild animals like alligators 🐊 and birds 🦅.
2. The Big Danger ⚠️
Long ago, people wanted to drain the water. To drain means to pump out all the water to make the ground dry ☀️. They wanted to build big houses 🏡 and cities 🏢. This would destroy the animals' homes.
3. Marjory Helps ✍️
A brave woman named Marjory loved this land. She wrote a book called "River of Grass" 📚. She told everyone to protect the water. Protect means to keep safe 🛡️. People listened to her!
Simple Words to Know
⚠️
Drain: To take away all the water.
🛡️
Protect: To keep safe from harm.
Turn the page to complete your reading activity sheet! • Page 1 of 2
Adapted Nature Study Name: ______________________ Date: _________
My Everglades Activity Sheet
A Fill in the Blank (Use the Word Bank)
✍️ Marjory 💧 Water 🌾 Swamp
1. The Everglades is not a dirty 🚫.
2. It is a slow river made of fresh 💧.
3. A writer named ✍️ helped save it.
B Check the Correct Box
🐊 1. Wild animals live in the Everglades.
YES NO
🚜 2. People wanted to make the water dry.
YES NO
🌿 3. Marjory wanted to destroy the grass.
YES NO
My Nature Pledge 🌿
Complete the sentence below to show how you can protect nature.
I can protect nature by ___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________.
Great job! Give your worksheet to your teacher. • Page 2 of 2
Everglades Sorting Activity Hands-On Activity Name: ______________________ Date: _________
Nature Protectors Sort
1 Draw a Line: Match the Word to the Picture
💧 Water
🐊 Alligator
✍️ Writer
✍️ A person using words.
🌾 A slow, wide fresh river.
🐊 A wild green reptile.
2 Sorting Board: Helps vs. Hurts the Everglades
Directions: Write the card letters (A, B, C, D) into the correct boxes, or cut-and-paste them if your teacher says so!
👍
HELPS the Everglades
👎
HURTS the Everglades
Source Cards
A
🛑
Draining the water
Making wet ground dry.
B
📚
Writing books to protect it
Helping people care.
C
🏢
Building factories & stores
Using cement over grass.
D
🏞️
Setting up National Parks
Making safety rules.
Great sorting! You are an Everglades Protector! • Page 1 of 1
Everglades Guardian Exit Ticket Check-Out Ticket Name: ______________________ Date: _________
River of Grass Exit Ticket
1 How do you feel about today's lesson?
😊 I get it! 😐 Almost there! 🤔 Need some help!
2 Choose the Correct Answer
1. Who helped save the Everglades?
A Marjory
B George Washington
2. What is the Everglades?
A A dirty, wet swamp
B A wide, grassy fresh river
3 Draw or Write One Everglades Animal
Draw or write about one animal that lives in the Everglades inside the white box below!
My Animal: _______________________
Congratulations! You are officially an Everglades Guardian. • Page 1 of 1
Everglades Writing Worksheet Writing Scaffold Name: ______________________ Date: _________
River of Grass Writing
1 Trace and Write: Key Words
Practice writing important words by tracing over the dotted letters.
💧 Water: W A T E R
🌿 Grass: G R A S S
✍️ Write: W R I T E
🛡️ Save: S A V E
2 Choose One and Write!
Pick your favorite sentence. Check the box, then write that sentence on the lines below!
Option 1 🦅
I want to save animals.
Option 2 💧
I want to save water.
Option 3 🌿
I want to save grass.
3 Draw Your Choice 🎨
Draw a picture to show your saved animal, water, or grass!
Keep up the amazing writing! • Page 1 of 1
Everglades Prompt Cards Speaking & Writing Prompts Teacher Kit • Adapted for IEP
River of Grass Prompt Cards
Directions: Cut along the dotted lines. Use these cards for writing prompts or group discussions!
Card 1
🐊
The Animals
Many wild animals live in the Everglades.
If you lived in the grassy water, what animal would you be? Why?
💡 Words: swim • fly • grass • water
Card 2
🗣️
Use Your Voice
Marjory used her voice to save the water.
How can you use your voice to help a friend? Or help nature?
💡 Words: speak • help • share • brave
Card 3
🌿
My Nature Space
Marjory loved the green Florida trees and grass.
What is your favorite outdoor park or school playground? Why?
💡 Words: park • green • leaf • play
Card 4
💧
Clean Water
We need fresh water to live and play.
How do you use clean water at home? Say or write two ways!
💡 Words: drink • clean • wash • grow
✂️ Cut cards along dashed lines Let's protect nature together! • Page 1 of 1
