In this lesson, students learn how climate change and deforestation are linked to the water cycle.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students view an Indigenous perspective on deforestation and learn how climate change can lead to deforested areas.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students complete a hands-on activity to investigate the effects of deforestation on erosion and watch a video on deforestation and climate change.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students create a cause and effect diagram about erosion and the water cycle.
Positives
Students participate in multiple interactive and hands-on learning activities to engage in kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning.
Students continue to better their understanding of how Earth’s natural systems are interconnected and dependent on each other.
Additional Prerequisites
This is lesson 3 of 4 in our 6th-8th grade Water Cycle, Deforestation, and Climate Change unit.
Materials required for the erosion model activity include the following:
Scissors or sharp knife
Clean, empty one-gallon container with a lid (such as a plastic milk jug)
Water
Two aluminum bread pans
Dirt
Two aluminum, 9-by-13-inch cake pans
12 to 14 plastic forks
Two blocks, shallow plastic containers, or other items of the same height to prop up the aluminum bread pans
Outdoor test area with a flat, level surface where it is easy to clean spilled water and soil
Differentiation
The erosion activity may be completed as a hands-on activity in lab groups or as a demonstration by the teacher.
Lab groups may be in mixed abilities to aid in understanding.
Teachers can prepare examples of diagrams for students to reference during the Inspire section.
This lesson provides students with a background on the relationship between deforestation, water cycle, erosion, and climate change. It establishes the fact that deforestation poses stress on the forest ecosystem and services, including impacting the water cycle and speeding up erosion and climate change. These issues could be addressed with well-informed adaptive strategies and action to restore the forest and biodiversity. All materials have been verified thoroughly, and this lesson has passed the science credibility process.
This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.