Lesson Plans for Teachers

A teacher workshop was held in September 2009 at Cherry Valley Resort in Newark, Ohio.  At the workshop the research team presented the student knowledge gaps pertaining to stream and watershed.  These gaps were identified by comparing the expert influence diagram with the student's mental model.  The teachers sythesized the student's knowledge gaps into Five Essential Questions that they would address throughout the year by designing and implementing lessons that focused on these gaps.

These lesson plans are available below.  Some of the lesson plans have supplemental documents such as worksheets or additional information attached.  In other cases the supplemental documents may be provided as an additional PDF file.  If you have any questions regarding these lesson plans, you may contact the teacher who originally designed the lesson plan (their email address is provided at the end of the lesson plan) or you may contact Dr. Deborah Hersha at hersha.5@osu.edu.

Essential Question 1:  How do topography, elevation and/or gravity determine the flow/direction of stream?

Class:  AP Environmental Science
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  1-45 minute period

Files:  Lesson Plan: A Grave Mistake

Class:  Environmental Botany
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  3 days

Files:  Lesson Plan:  EduWebLab on Photosynthesis and Lake Profiles

Class:  Modeling a Watershed
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  1-45 minute period

Files:  Lesson Plan:  Modeling a Watershed

Class:  Environmental Botany
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  1-2 days

Files:  Lesson Plan:  Stream Profiles and their Relationship to Meanders

Stream order and Drainage Patterns

Eduweb Lab on Pollution Source

WaterWaterEverywhere Lesson

Introduction to Water

 

Essential Question 2:  How human activities influence stream?

Class:  AP Environmental Science
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  1-45 minute period

Files:  Lesson Plan:  Modeling a Watershed

Class:  AP Environmental Science
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  Two periods + for set up, ten days for data collection

Files:  Lesson Plan:  Phosphates, Nitrates and Eutrophication

Class:  Environmental Botany
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  1-2 days

Files:  Lesson Plan:  Production and Effects of Acid Rain

Class:  AP Environmental Science
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  2+ - 45 minute periods
 
Files:  Lesson Plan:  Stream Chemical Monitoring_DE
Chemical Monitoring
 
Class:  Environmental Science
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  1-2 days
 
Files:  Lesson Plan:  Tellico Dam Debate
Decision Making PROACT
 
Class:  Environmental Science
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  1-2 days

Files:  Lesson Plan:  Total Dissolved Solids and Total Suspended Solids

Eduweb Lab on Pollution Source

Production and Effects of Acid Rain

Phosphates, Nitrates and Algal Blooms

Endotherms and Exotherms

Case Study on Stream Improvements

Pigeon River Debate

Intro to Water Pollution Lesson - PowerPoint

Introduction to Water Pollution

Intro to Stream Monitor Notes - PowerPoint

Introduction to Stream Monitoring

 

Essential Question 3:  How do energy and/or nutrients flow in the watershed?

Class:  AP Environmental Science
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  4+ , 45 minute periods
 
Files:  Lesson Plan:  Stream Macroinvertebrate Survey
Macroinvertebrate Data Monitoring Sheet
Macroinvertebrate Identification
 

Stream Health

 

Essential Question 4:  What are various locations of niche/habitats/organisms found in streams/watersheds?

Class:  AP Environmental Science
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  2+ , 45 minute periods
 
Files:  Lesson Plan:  Assessing Stream Habitat Quality
 
Class:  AP Environmental Science
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  1+ , 45 minute period
 
Files:  Lesson Plan:  Stream Gradient
 
Class:  AP Environmental Science
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  2+ , 45 minute periods
 
Files:  Lesson Plan:  Stream Chemical Monitoring
Chemical Monitoring
 
Class:  Environmental Biology
Grade:  11-12
Timeframe:  4-5 days
 
Files:  Lesson Plan:  Stream Survey of Biotic and Abiotic Factors
Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Field Guide for Georgia Streams
West Virginia Stream Assessment Protocols
 

Essential Questions 5:  Final Reflection: Connectivity

Stream Health

 

Student Materials

Creek Habitat by Billy - PowerPoint

Rocky Fork Stream Study analysis and Report - PowerPoint

Science PowerPoint - PowerPoint

Stream Study and Presentations Pictures

TDS and TSS - PowerPoint