Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rollin' on the River: The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers take a close look at the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation system. They study how the Army Corps of Engineers built and monitor the system. Learners discover how a lock and a dam work, and study three benefits of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Biggest Dam in the World

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars recognize that the Three Gorges Dam is now being constructed in China on the upper Yangtze River. They build a dam in an empty fish tankusing common materials they have at home or can easily find, such as twigs and leaves,...
Lesson Plan
Global Oneness Project

Reclaiming Rivers

For Students 9th - 12th Standards
Robert Hass's article "Rivers and Stories" underscores the importance of rivers in the development of civilization and the importance of reclaiming supposedly dead rivers and implementing policies that protect river health. Groups...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Gallery Walk Questions on Rivers

For Students 9th - Higher Ed
A Gallery Walk is a technique that allows small groups to visit different stations, where they examine and discuss materials about an overarching topic. Questions about rivers and fluvial processes are available in this resource;...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ecological Impact of River Dams

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students investigate their environment by completing an in-class experiment.  For this ecological lesson, students define the roles of dams and how electricity is created by them.  Students utilize plastic jugs, sand and tap...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

River Planning

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students use a model to conduct an experiment involving dam construction. Based on their observations, they draw conclusions about social, economic, and and environmental issues and make a decision concerning dam location. As a group,...
Worksheet
Curated OER

The Hudson's Ups and Downs-Hudson River Activity

For Students 4th - 6th
In this Hudson River worksheet, learners read a short passage about the river, compare graphs of water levels at different locations, label high and low tides on a graph and interpret, and answer comprehension questions based on several...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dynamic River Model

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Learners develop the concepts of flood stage, levees, floodplain, and the dynamics of river flooding. They construct river models and test various flow rates and volumes. This lesson has an excellent experiment for students to do.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Tri-County" Project--Rivers Lakes Reservoirs

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Learners examine data about the rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in the state of Nebraska. An understanding of the political implications of boundaries is developed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Pros and Cons of Dams

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students investigate the use of dams on rivers in order to manage water uses in particular the Flathead River and Lake. They make presentations about dam management and write a persuasive paper on the issue. If possible they visit the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Generating Power

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students construct a working model of a turbine and explain how water generates power. By the end of the lesson, they list the effects of Kingsley Dam on people, plans, and animals -- both positive and negative.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wildlife Sampling

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders discuss water issues and its affect on salmon population. They recreate a sampling river with fish (cheddar) and scoop them to tag them (which means they exchange them for pretzel fish.) They complete a spreadsheet to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Two Ways About It

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students take an imaginary hike in two opposite directions along a lake. They view and interpret satellite images and discuss the pros and cons of hydroelectric dams.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

No One's a Winner!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Pupils create two-dimensional maps showing the affects of a dam on those living both above and below the dam. Students discover the importance of educating the public before the construction of a dam.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Locating the Salt Front

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students use Hudson River salinity data to create a line graph that shows the location of the salt front, and use math skills to explore how this location varies over time. They use the graph to estimate the location of the salt front...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

On the Trail of the Blue Crab

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders read the article "Blue Claw," discuss crab migration, and look at a map of the Hudson River. They complete a worksheet where they must use subtraction to determine the distance migrating crabs travel.Web links, article, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wildlife in Arkansas

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify three species of wildlife in Arkansas. They discuss the environment in which the whitetail deer, raccoon, and beaver live in. They identify the footprints of each animal and discuss how the animals are harvested...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Importance of Water

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students complete a KWL chart on what they comprehend about water. They complete a water activity determining how much usable water is available, and they determine the water usage in their households. Students take notes on water and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Geography: Water, Water Everywhere

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students discuss flooding and its causes. They view a Powerpoint presentation about floods and prevention methods. After creating a model with clay and pans, they investigate river behavior in various terrains with different amounts of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Snow vs. Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students fill three cups with snow. They record the height of snow in each cup, and allow the snow to melt. Students measure the height of the water in each glass or cup, and record their results on the worksheet. They answer questions...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Tri-County" Project--Water Cycle

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students analyze the parts of the water cycle through research and experimentation. Particular attention is paid to the processes of evaporation and condensation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Interpreting Aerial Photographs

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students interpret aerial photographs. They view aerial photographs or satellite-produced images to locate and identify physical and human features. They study satellite images and label their images for bodies of water, clouds,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Flood Control Project

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the reasons why dams were built in Nebraska. They identify factors that need to be considered when building a dam. They create a dam of their own.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cool, Clear Water - Or Is It?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students use a problem solving method to offer a solution to one of the water quality problems within the Kansas Lower Republican River Basin. Groups research a problem area, then produce a skit, poem, song or story to illustrate the...