Lesson Title: Watersheds Course: Science 8

Designers: Maytlind Mallo Learning Outcomes/Intentions

Formal Unit Outcome(s): WS8.1: Analyze the impact of natural and human-induced changes to the characteristics and distribution of water in local, regional, and national ecosystems.

Understandings: No matter where you live, you live in a

watershed Watersheds are necessary to support the

habitats of plants and animals, and to provide drinking water for humans and wildlife

Essential Question/s: How do watersheds assist in water management and planning?What should others know about their local water supply and how it is managed?

Knowledge:d. Apply the concept of systems as a tool for

interpreting the structure and interactions of water systems by constructing representations of systems.

Skills:Students will be able to: • communicate how watersheds relate to water management and planning • explain how human and nature factors can change the water table

“I can . . .” statements:I can understand and identify what the term watershed meansI can identify factors that affect local water quality

Assessment EvidenceFormative Assessments (Assessment for Learning):

- KWL chart (sample blank copy and sample answers)- Water shed diagram - Note students’ ability to read and interpret the cross section of a watershed (graphic text), and to

extrapolate that into a verbal explanation of “watershed.” Use this information to inform instruction and plan guided practice. (copy of diagrams attached at bottom, one with blanks and one filled in)

In Explore and Explain:- Check for students understandings and provide oral feedback when needed

Summative Assessments (Assessment of Learning):Have students demonstrate their understanding through an oral/visual/written presentation on watersheds at the end of the activity that continues on in Water Lesson 2 - Watersheds

SAFETYNo safety concerns within this lesson

MaterialsMarkers, post-it notes, paper, access to the internet (preferably laptop/tablet)

Learning PlanEngage: Whole Group  ➔  Introducing Watersheds.Have students create a KWL chart of what they already know about watersheds and the water cycle and what they want to know more about (sample KWL chart attached to end of lesson)Ask the following: Where does the water that we use every day come from?

- Water comes from a watershed and display cross-section diagram (photos attached at the end of lesson). Students examine the diagram and list what they see. Discuss what the components of the diagram mean, (e.g., different types of arrows). In a Think-Pair-Share, students talk about what a watershed is.

- Volunteers share with the class. Reach a consensus, record and write/type the definition at the front of the room.

Watershed information http://www.canadiangeographic.com/watersheds/map/?path=english/watershed101 http://www.southsaskriverstewards.ca/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Watershed_Map_of_Saskatchewan.pdf (Watershed Map of SK)

- Have students locate what watershed they are in- Have students fill in the watershed model diagram as they work throughout this lesson and the next

(Lesson 2)Explore & Explain: Model Planning Discuss the role of models in science

- noting that unlike the water cycle model, the model that they will be creating is for active demonstration and that reliable results.

Ask what makes a “good” model, (e.g., it has to function), and how models help you see what you might not otherwise be able to observe firsthand.

- Have students brainstorm and sketch potential watershed models that they could create

Reflection

Answer key for kwl & diagrams

Answer KeyName: Date:

Topic:

KWL Chart

What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned- Watersheds are

everywhere- They involve water- They involve the water

cycle- They can be polluted-

- What watershed do we live in?

- What watersheds are close to the area where we live?

- Are there watersheds in other provinces and countries?

- How are they polluted?- How do they work?- What are the

boundaries?- Are they fresh or salt

water?- Do they come in all

shapes and sizes?- Are there different types

of watersheds?- Where does water flow?- How can we protect our

watersheds?- What is a watershed

permit?

- There are 2 types of watersheds, open and closed

- Open watershed drains into the ocean

- Closed watershed can escape only by evaporating or seeping into the earth

- Most watersheds in Canada are open

- Watersheds are sensitive to pollution and land use

- Industrial pollution, agricultural runoff, erosion and logging, untreated sewers can impact a watershed

- Pollution that happens in one watershed, affects all the others downstream

- Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes

- In Regina, we are in the Upper Qu’Appelle-Wascana watershed

- In Carievale, Sk, we are in the Lower Souris watershed

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Name: Date:

Topic:

What I Know What I Want to Know What I Learned-

Watershed Fill in the Blank: Answer Key

Watershed Fill in the Blank: Blank Copy