Lesson Plan
Curated OER

China's Three Gorges Dam

For Teachers 8th - 10th
A very well-done resource includes an informational reading passage describing the controversy and impact of China's Three Gorges Dam. It also includes eight guided reading questions, a pros/cons arguments chart, and a creative writing...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Treasures and Travels

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners review basic information about the Three Gorges Dam. They discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks of the dam and write an editorial either for or against the it.
Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

Cost/Benefit Analysis: Three Gorges Dam

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers, in groups, take various roles in evaluating the costs/benefits of the Three Gorges Dam project on the Yangtze River in China.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Three Gorges: Should Nature or Technology Reign?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine the construction of the Three Gorges Dam in China. In this Three Gorges Dam lesson, students research Internet sources pertaining to the dam. Students discuss the geography and culture of East China as they prepare for...
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Debating the Three Gorges Dam Project: Power to the People or Environmental Catastrophe?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the controversy behind the building of the Three Gorges Dam in China. One group of the class researches the government's stance on building the dam. Another section of the class represents an environmental group who...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Yangtze River: Lifeline of China

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students locate the Yangtze river on a map, and label major cities and landmarks. Students identify and interpret the diversity of the people living along the Yangtze. Students explain the pros and cons of the Three Gorges Dam project.
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

Take Me to the River

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students learn about a different way of life.  In this river and dams lesson, students discuss  the Hoover Dam.  Students then view pictures of the Hoover Dam, discuss the impact of dams, and compare life before and after...
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,...
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

Controlling the Flow of the Colorado River: A Study of Dams

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students research and map the Colorado River and its dams and predict the effects of a dam on an area. They suggest reasons a dam would be built and compare the Colorado River system with other major river systems within the US and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A River Through Time

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore how construction of a dam on the Gila River affected the lifestyle of Pima Indians. In this social studies lesson, students locate the Gila River and the Coolidge Dam. Students record dates on a timeline and discuss how...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Taming the Mighty Dragon

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Pupils incorporate the five themes of geography to study the Yangtze river region. They analyze the possible effects of the three rivers gorge damn project on this area and role play a float the entire length of this dangerous river...
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

What's Holding Up the Water?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students read about the history and locate dams in Arizona. In this Arizona dams lesson plan, students write a summary about what they read focusing on word choice, ideas, conventions, and geography content.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Looking At Dams

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Learners examine the importance of dam projects in the Kansas-Lower Republican River Basin. Students create and experiment with a model of an earthern dam.
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.