Watersheds Science Lesson
Lesson Plan
1 hour 40 minutesGrades3, 4, 5Earth and Space Sciences
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About this lesson
In this lesson, students learn how human activities impact watersheds, and what communities can do to keep the watershed healthy.
Step 1 - Inquire: Students think about how they use water in their everyday life and the important role that their local watershed plays in their community.
Step 2 - Investigate: Students complete two hands-on activities to understand how watersheds work and the impact that human activities have on watersheds.
Step 3 - Inspire: Students write a poem, short story, or letter about the importance of watershed health and share it with their local watershed council.
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Everything you need to teach it
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Positives
- This lesson provides opportunities for social-emotional check-ins so that students can recognize and understand their feelings as they learn about human-caused problems in watersheds.
- Students will work effectively in small groups.
- Students will feel empowered as they learn how to protect their local watershed and educate others about the importance of keeping the watershed healthy.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should be familiar with the water cycle. The following resources can help students who are unfamiliar with the topic:
- Drop: An Adventure Through the Water Cycle by Emily Kate Moon
- Coloring Page: The Water Cycle
- Students should be able to read a map.
- Teacher will need to gather the following items for each small group for the two Crumpled Paper Watershed activities:
- 2 sheets of blank paper
- 1 spray bottle filled with water
- A black, brown, red, and blue water-soluble marker
Differentiation
- Students can work on the two Crumpled Paper Watershed activities in mixed-ability groups, pairs, or individually.
- You can tailor the written response activity in the Inspire section to suit students’ needs. For example, stronger writers can be tasked with including three or more terms from the glossary in their response.
- In this lesson, students are required to share their written responses with their local watershed council. You can change how students share their written responses. Further, you can require that students share their responses in more than one way (e.g., watershed council, social media post, newspaper article, etc.)
From the scientist review
This lesson allows students to learn about watersheds, their spatial distribution, and the role they play in improving water quality. Students will also learn about ways of protecting their local watersheds from pollution and other harmful human activities. The materials, maps, and activities embedded in the lesson were thoroughly reviewed, and this lesson has passed our science credibility process.
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About the teacher writers
Tana Shepard
Tana Shepard is a K–12 Climate, Energy, and Conservation Teacher with 24 years of teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Education and Master of Education from Pacific University. Tana coordinates the 4J/EWEB Education Partnership Program in Eugene, Oregon, and is a founding member of Oregon Educators for Climate Education (OECE). She has extensive experience leading climate education, environmental stewardship, outdoor learning, renewable energy, and conservation initiatives, helping students and educators build the knowledge and skills needed to create a more sustainable future.
Nicole Butler-Hooton
Nicole Butler-Hooton has taught second and fourth grade in Oregon for 15 years. This year she has followed her passion of coaching teachers and is currently a Mentor TOSA/Instructional Coach in the Bethel School District. She was named the 2021 Oregon Teacher of the Year, becoming the first Indigenous teacher in Oregon to earn this recognition. Butler-Hooton is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians- Chetco Band (Oregon) and the San Carlos Apache Tribe (Arizona). A first-generation college graduate, she values making connections with students, families, and the school community, while centering equity and cultural competency in her teaching. Nicole holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology with a focus on Ethnic Studies and a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Oregon, where she was part of the Sapsik'ʷałá Teacher Education Program. She is currently enrolled in an Ed.D program through Walden University specializing in Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction.
Bio from: https://grow.oregoned.org/facilitators/nicole-butler-hooton
Bio from: https://grow.oregoned.org/facilitators/nicole-butler-hooton
Oregon Educators for Climate Education
Website: https://www.oregonclimateed.org/
Oregon Educators for Climate Education (OECE) is a statewide group of educators working toward Oregon legislation that would mandate the integration and infusion of climate change for PK-12 education across all core subject areas.
Our steering committee is comprised of current and retired K-12 educators, as well as high school students. While most of us reside and work in the Willamette Valley, we are seeking connection and input from stakeholders from regions across Oregon. We are inclusive and invite diverse voices to join us!
Website: https://www.oregonclimateed.org/
