SIERRA NEVADA JOURNEYS VIRTUAL CLASSROOM

WEEK 2 - WATERSHEDS

This unit was developed with the Next Generation Science Standards in mind and includes Social Emotional Learning competencies. Also, it was designed with fifth grade standards and competencies in mind. However, it can be used for third-through-sixth graders.

These activities are listed in their recommended order. This order will help to deepen student understanding by building on concepts from activity to activity. However, they were also designed to provide students with enough information that they will make sense on their own.

Download Watersheds Teacher’s Guide with suggestions for differentiation of lessons and additional notes. If you are using Google Classroom, consider using kamiapp.com to easily integrate activity pages which are created as PDF Fillable Forms.

Download Teacher's Guide

Why is Water So Important?

This quick, two-minute video introduces students to the scarcity of clean, fresh, accessible water on Earth. Students then brainstorm why it is important to keep water clean.

This activity introduces students to the scarcity of clean, fresh, accessible water on Earth. A hands-on demonstration helps students visualize this idea. Students then brainstorm why it is important to keep water clean.

Download Why is Water So Important Activity Page
Spanish Why is Water So Important Activity Page

Building a Watershed Model

This hands-on model building activity provides students an opportunity to construct the definition of a watershed, while observing how water travels within one.

Download Building a Watershed Model Activity Page
Spanish Building a Watershed Model Activity Page

Exploring Your Watershed

This activity guides student to interact directly with a map of their watershed. Guiding questions help students to understand how water flows throughout the watershed. You’ll find three options for watershed maps depending on your region in Northern California or Northern Nevada.

Click on Image to Download Sacramento Watershed Map:

sacramento Activity Sheets:

Sacramento River Watershed Activity Page
Spanish Sacramento River Watershed Activity Page

CLICK ON THE IMAGE to download truckee watershed map:

Click on Image to Download Carson Watershed Map:

This activity is a hands-on, in-field experience for students to learn about the organisms that live in the watershed and how scientists test the health of the watershed. Students will collect, draw and identify macroinvertebrates from a fresh water source near them. They will then use the data to draw conclusions about the health of the watershed. The activity page allows students a space to engage with the lesson by answering prompts during a new hands-on experience. It includes: journaling space, an organizational chart for what they've collected, and scaffolded questions to ignite critical thinking.

INSTRUCTIONS (AT NEARBY WATER SOURCE):

Download Instructions for Tiniest Residents of the Watershed
Spanish Instructions for Tiniest Residents of the Watershed

INSTRUCTIONS (AT HOME):

Download Instructions for Tiniest Residents of the Watershed - At Home Version
Spanish Instructions for Tiniest Residents of the Watershed - At Home Version

ACTIVITY PAGE:

Download Tiniest Residents of the Watershed Activity Page
Spanish Tiniest Residents of the Watershed Activity Page

TINIEST RESIDENTS OF THE WATERSHED SUPPORTING VIDEOS

Click the images to watch a video of each of the macroinvertebrates that you’ve studied.

Water, Water Everywhere

This 3.5-minute video introduces the term "watershed” where students observe a storm drain and learn where water goes once it enters the storm drain. Students think about how they can prevent pollution from entering storm drains near their home.

The worksheet includes space for students to determine the storm drain pathway, to sketch a storm drain near their home, and to brainstorm ways they can prevent pollution from entering storm drains.

Download Water, Water Everywhere Activity Page
Spanish Water, Water Everywhere Activity Page
Download Water, Water, Everywhere Answer Key

Stormwater Inventory Mapping

In this activity, students learn about where water goes when it rains near their home. Students are guided to go outside to map the storm drains, gutters, puddles, pavement, and vegetation that they see around their homes.

Download Stormwater Inventory Mapping Activity Page
Spanish Stormwater Inventory Mapping Activity Page

Urban Runoff Game

This activity introduces the concept of "urban runoff." Students play a game that teaches them about common pollutants that contribute to urban runoff, and then brainstorm ways in which they can reduce urban runoff near their homes.

ACTIVITY PAGE AND ANSWER KEY:

Download Urban Runoff Activity Page
Spanish Urban Runoff Activity Page
Download Urban Runoff Activity Page Answer Key
Spanish Urban Runoff Activity Page Answer Key

GAME CARDS AND GAMEBOARD:

Download Urban Runoff Game Cards
Spanish Urban Runoff Game Cards
Download Urban Runoff Gameboard

Point and Nonpoint Pollution Game

Families play a game to learn the difference between point and nonpoint water pollution sources.

Download Point and Nonpoint Pollution Activity Page
Spanish Point and Nonpoint Pollution Activity Page

Stormwater Pollution Solutions

This presentation introduces a variety of pollution solutions that can be used to reduce urban runoff. After learning about the solutions, students are challenged to go outside to map where these solutions could be implemented around their homes.

This activity introduces students to four pollution solutions that can be used to reduce urban runoff. After reading about the solutions, students are challenged to go outside of their home to map their home and outdoor space and figure out where they could implement some of the pollution solutions.

Download Stormwater Pollution Solutions Activity Page
Spanish Stormwater Pollution Solutions Acitivity Page

Soak It Up City

This activity provides instructions for a demonstration to show how water becomes polluted and how green spaces can reduce pollution.

Download Soak It Up City Activity Page
Spanish Soak It Up City Activity Page

How much water are you using?

This math-focused activity challenges students to calculate their daily water usage. Reflection questions guide them to think of ways they can reduce their water usage.

Download How Much Water Are You Using Activity Page
Spanish How Much Water Are You Using Activity Page

After You Flush

Students will learn about the wastewater treatment process by viewing an engaging presentation (below) about the Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant in Elk Grove. Using the information in the slides, students complete a graphic organizer and answer reflection questions.

Download After You Flush Instruction Page
Spanish After You Flush Instruction Page
Download After You Flush Graphic Organizer

Wastewater Treatment Demonstration

Students will learn how water is cleaned as it passes through natural filtration media like gravel and soil. This represents a basic “wastewater treatment” process, as well as showing how stormwater is filtered through soil and plants before entering the watershed.

Download Water Treatment Demonstration Activity Page
Spanish Water Treatment Demonstration Activity Page

SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITY

Painting with Watercolors and Salt

This art-based activity introduces students to the concept that water and salt create a physical reaction when combined.

Download Painting With Watercolors and Salt Activity Page
Spanish Painting With Watercolors and Salt Activity Page

Four Ways to Practice Active Listening

These four simple activities are fun ways to practice active listening skills: Back-to-Back Drawing, Collaborative Storytelling, Oracle, and Zen Counting. Pick one or try them all.

Download Four Ways to Practice Active Listening Activity Page
Spanish Four Ways to Practice Active Listening Activity Page

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