What are Grasslands?
VOCABULARY
steppes - grasslands that have short grasses that grow in clumps with bare soil between them
prairies - flat, but sometimes hilly, land that is covered with mid-to-tall grasses
savannahs - grasslands made up of tall and stiff grasses along with trees and brush
THE LAND OF GRASSLAND REGIONS
 Grassland regions are found in most parts of the world.
 The land is very flat. There may be a few hills, but they are small and rolling.
 There are very few trees.
 You can see very far in every direction.
 Grasses grow to many different heights. Some grow as tall as 15 feet tall.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF GRASSLANDS
 3 major kinds of grasslands are steppes, prairies , and savannahs.
 Steppes have short grasses that only grow to about 6 inches tall. The grass grows
in clumps with bare soil between them.
 Prairies are flat, or sometimes hilly, land covered with mid-to-tall grasses that grow to
about 2 feet tall. The grass has deep roots and covers all of the soil.
 Savannahs are made up of tall, stiff grasses, along with trees and brush. Most of the grasses
are 2 - 12 feet tall. The grass is very dry like straw. It grows in bunches and
does not cover all of the soil.
 Trees on the savannahs have leather-like leaves to keep them from losing water quickly.
SEASONS ON THE GRASSLANDS
 Grasslands have wet season and a dry season.
 During the wet season the grasses grow a lot, but during the dry season there is not
enough rain for growth.
 On the steppes the wet season comes in early spring, making the flowers bloom. In the
hot summer, strong winds dry out the grasses. Autumn is cool and it snows during
the winter.
 The wet season comes in late spring or early summer on the prairies. Precipitation
lessens toward the end of the summer. Autumn is cool and dry. Winters are long and
cold, and there could be a lot of snow.
 Savannahs do not have spring or autumn. The wet season is during the
summer. There are many thunderstorms. Winters are very dry. The
grasses turn brown. The trees lose their leaves. Rivers become very low
and the soil cracks from lack of water.
LOCATIONS OF THE GRASSLANDS
 Grasslands are found in the low and middle latitudes. They are not found
in the high latitudes because it is too cold.
 Savannahs grow in the low latitudes.
 Prairies grow in the middle latitudes.
 Steppes grow in both the low and middle latitudes.
TEMPERATURES ON THE GRASSLANDS
 Temperatures of low latitude grasslands go from 100 F in summer to 64 F in winter. The
growing season is long.
 Middle latitude grasslands have a range of 100 F temperatures in summer to - 30 F in winter.
PRECIPITATION ON THE GRASSLANDS
 Low latitude grasslands receive 40-60 inches of rain per year. Most of the rain comes during the summer.
 Steppes are often found in the middle of a large body of land where dry winds blow. They
receive 10-20 inches of rain per year.
 Prairies are usually closer to a large body of water, so they get 20-35 inches of rain per year.
 Steppes and prairies both have snow in the winter.
Where are the Grasslands Located?
GRASSLANDS OF THE WORLD
 Grassland are found on every continent, except Antarctica.
 40 percent of the land surface of the earth is grasslands.
 The largest steppes are in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
 Prairies are found in North America, South America,
Europe, and Asia.
 Savannahs are found in South America, Africa, and
Australia.
GRASSLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES
 Wheat and corn are types of grasses that are grown in the
grasslands of the United States.
 This region is sometimes called the “Breadbasket of America.”
 The grasslands are located in the middle of the United States.
 The grasslands directly east of the Rocky Mountains are steppes. They are
called the Great Plains.
 The grasslands furthest east are prairies. They begin in Canada and
spread to Oklahoma.
 Between the steppes and prairies are the mixed grasslands. They have both
short and tall grasses.
The Sioux
VOCABULARY
powwow - a North American Indian gathering that usually includes feasting, dancing, and
singing
rawhide - animal skin that has not been treated with tannin, which turns it into leather
pemmican - a kind of food made from dried buffalo meat mixed with melted fat and
berries
tepees - cone-shaped tents made from buffalo skins
parfleche - a decorated pouch made of rawhide to carry small items, dried food, and
pemmican
HOW THE SIOUX CAME TO THE GREAT PLAINS
 Sitting Bull was a famous Sioux chief.
 The Sioux lived on the Great Plains.
 The Sioux were excellent horse riders and buffalo
hunters. They were also strong warriors.
THE SEVEN COUNCIL FIRES
 The Sioux nation had 7 groups called the Seven Council
Fires.
 They lived in parts of the states of Minnesota, Montana,
Wyoming, and Nebraska.
 Each Council Fire had its own leaders and its own group of
families that camped together.
 The largest Council Fire lived on the western plains. It was so large
that it was divided into 7 groups. It was called the Teton
Sioux. They spoke the Lakota dialect of the Sioux language.
 Two councils lived on the middle plains. They were called the
Yankton Sioux. They spoke the Nakota dialect.
 The other councils lived on the plains in the east. They were called
the Santee Sioux and spoke the Dakota dialect.
 When the families met, they gave gifts at special feasts called giveaways.
They played ball games and raced horses. They gave
thanks and asked for help by doing a Sun Dance.
SIOUX PONIES
 The Sioux followed the buffalo herds.
 A family was wealthy, if it had many ponies.
 Most tribes on the plains stole horses from their enemies.
 Horses were used for hunting, to fight in wars, and to
move camps.
CAMP CIRCLES
 Camps were set up near water and wooded areas.
 During most of the year, the Sioux camped in the river valleys of the Black Hills.
 Camps were in the shape of a circle.
 The tepees were put up and taken down by the women. They were
made from buffalo hides and poles.
THE GIFT OF THE BUFFALO
 Before the Sioux had horses, they hunted the buffalo on foot.
 Almost everything the Sioux needed for living came from the buffalo.
 Every part of the animal was used, nothing was wasted.
 Examples of things made from buffalo:
1. food
6. weapons
2. clothing
7. tools
3. tepees
8. soap
4. toys
9. glue
5. cooking items
10. fuel
 The Sioux said special prayers before hunting and killing the buffalo
because they believed the buffalo was sacred.
PRAYING TO THE GREAT SPIRIT
 The Sioux believed Wakan Tanka (the Great Spirit)
had power over all things.
 Sacred pipes were smoked to help their prayers be heard.
 Sometimes people prayed together in sweat lodges.
 Medicine men and women were taught how to cure the sick. They
knew which plants to use and sang special songs at
ceremonies.
FEATHERS AND BEADS
 The Sioux decorated their belongings with beautiful designs and
colors.
 Things were also made with porcupine quills, beads,
shells, and eagle feathers.
 The Sioux recorded their history by painting figures on rawhide. This
was called the winter count.
FIGHTING FOR THE LAND
 When the white settlers began moving into Sioux territory, there were many battles.
 The U.S. Army was sent to protect the settlers. The Sioux fought
to protect their families and their way of life.
 In 1876, the Sioux and Cheyenne were attacked by Custer
and his troops at Little Bighorn. The Sioux won the battle, but their
lands were taken from them.
 The last fight between the Sioux and the U.S. Army was at Wounded
Knee, in 1890. After the battle, the Sioux were put on reservations.
Internet Research  Grasslands
Go to Mrs. Bellen’s Web Page and click on “Missouri Botanical Gardens”.
Use the MBG Learning Network to complete the notes below.
 Click on the grass below the title “Grasslands”
 Click on “Where Are Grasslands Like?” (Read the graph and scroll down the page)
1. Grasslands are great open areas. They receive between 10 and 20 inches of rain per
year. Any more, they would become a forest. Any less, they would
become a desert.
 Click on “Types of Grasslands”
2. The 3 types of prairies in the U.S. are tall grass, mixed grass, and
short grass.
 Click on “Grassland Plants”
 In the left window, click on “What happened to the American prairie?”
3. Why is the prairie called the “breadbasket of the world”? Most prairies have been turned
into farmland to feed the world.
 In the left window, click on “How are prairies maintained?”
4. Prairies are maintained by fire and grazing animals.
 In the left window, click on “Are any prairie plants harmful to people?”
5. Stinging nettles and poison ivy are two prairie plants that
are harmful to people.
 Click on “Tundra Animals”
6. Choose 5 animals that live on the grasslands. Write an interesting fact about each one.
** STUDENT ANSWERS WILL VARY **
GRASSLANDS STUDY GUIDE
VOCABULARY:
steppes
prairies
savannahs
powwow
rawhide
pemmican
tepees
parfleche
FROM YOUR NOTES:
 What grasslands looks like
 What the weather is like on the grasslands
 3 Types of Grasslands
 Where grasslands are located
- on what continents
- in the United States
 Examples of grassland animals
- African Savannahs
- American Prairies
 Facts about the Sioux
- where they lived
- the importance of the buffalo (examples of how they used the buffalo)
- what happened to them (battles against the U.S. Army)
- Native American legends (circle story)
- picture symbols