Hands in the River
A Classrooms Unleashed Program
for Fifth Grade Students
Students become environmental scientists in this hands-on program, working to understand the health of the local rivers that are part of the Sacramento River watershed. In addition to a field study at a local natural area, we provide in-classroom lessons as part of our Hands in the River program.
All of our lessons are backward designed from Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core for fifth grade. In addition to the Sierra Nevada Journeys-led lessons, classroom teachers will be provided with 3-4 easy-to-use learning experiences to reinforce concepts and vocabulary, as well as pre- and post-assessments.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
classroom lesson: WATERSHEds AND POLLUTION
Students work in groups to construct a model that demonstrates how a watershed works, develop a definition for “watershed,” and draw parts of a watershed. As a team, they will determine how water flows and where it’s stored in the Sacramento River watershed.
Your environmental scientists will analyze the multiple types of data collected on the field day in order to assess the health of the watershed. Then, they will discover how storm drains and stormwater runoff connect to their watershed. Finally, they will learn about different types of green infrastructure that reduce stormwater runoff and water pollution, using what they learn to design a more watershed-friendly school campus.
OUtdoors at a Local Nature Area: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTISTS IN THE FIELD
This field study held at William B. Pond Recreation Area, has your environmental scientists exploring, assessing, and collecting data about the health of their watershed. Students will have opportunities to explore and share observations of the river, collect macroinvertebrates for study, and discuss how to use the data to assess the health of the watershed system.
TEACHER INFORMATION
NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS
5-ESS3-1: SEP: Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information; DCI: Human Impacts on Earth Systems; CC: Systems and System Models
3-5 ETS1-2: SEP: Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions; DCI: Developing Possible Solutions; CC: Influence of Science, Engineering, and Technology on Society and the Natural World.
COMMON CORE
RI.5.9, W.5.9, SL 5.1 A-D