We have developed some teaching experimental materials on elementary, middle, and high school level.

Year 05-06

elementary

Proposed Mini-Units for 2006/2007

• Michigan Curriculum Framework Connections: This table briefs topics related to water in Michigan Curriculum Framework Benchmarks.
• Proposed 2006/2007 Mini-Units for K-2;
• Proposed 2006/2007 Mini-Units for Grades

Middle and High

"Water for People and the Planet" is a four-week unit for high school that focuses on the connections between groundwater and watershed systems. The unit addresses the question, "Where does our water come from and where does it go?" Click here for the lessons.

Proposed Mini-Units for 2006/2007

 

Year 06-07

Water for People and the Planet (Middle and High School Level)

This unit is a full 4-6 week unit designed for general-level middle school and high school students. It addresses watershed and groundwater systems and the connections between the two. The unit addresses the question, "Where does our water come from and where does it go?"(click here to see more information)

Groundwater (Middle and High School Level)

In this 4 to 6-day module, students build groundwater models to determine how water moves through confined and unconfined aquifers and how the groundwater system is connected to surface water. Students then contaminate their models with “pollution” and develop methods for cleaning-up the pollution. This unit focuses on inquiry and accounts performances.

Groundwater teacher material (download) and student material (download)

Watersheds (Middle and High School Level)

In this 4 to 6-day module, students begin by building a three-dimensional model of an island out of clay, then use water droppers to see how water runs off the model and where the water goes. Students identify watershed boundaries, and then make a map of their island. Once they can identify watersheds, students participate in a role play scenario centered on a community that has experienced a devastating flood. Students play the parts of affected townspeople and various experts who try to understand the effects of the flood and develop solutions to prevent damage from similar floods in the future. This unit focuses on accounts and citizenship performances.

Watersheds teacher material (download) and student materials (download)

Solutions & Suspensions (Middle and High School Level)

This module focuses on how water transports other substances. The module explores the differences between solutions and suspensions. Students learn the microscopic structure of each and how materials in solution and suspension behave differently in different parts of the water cycle. By the end of the module, students will be able to explain why polluted water does not make polluted rain, how ocean water could be made drinkable, and why landfills can lead to contaminated groundwater. This unit focuses on inquiry and accounts performances.

Solutions & Suspensions teacher & student materials:

Teacher Notes (download)

Poster & Card (download)

Solutions & Suspensions Student Unit (download)

Water Contamination Scenario (Middle and High School Level)

This module focuses on citizenship practices of evaluating information about an issue and making a decision.  Students adopt the role of an “Environmental Protection Department” team that needs to help a community where contaminated sediments are endangering human and ecosystem health.  The contaminated sediments are tailings that washed down a river from an upstream mining site and got stuck behind a dam. They are now leaching into the community water supply.  The students engage in a web quest where they decide which information sources to explore and to trust.  During the web quest, students both use and develop their understanding of water in environmental systems.  Then, they need to weigh evidence that they collect to come to a scientific decision about the problem and create an action plan to help the community.

Unit is currently being developed.