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Curriculum/Activity Manuals
Acid Rain Teacher’s Guide by Lawrence Hall Science (LHS) Gems Grades 6-10
Covers acids, bases, pH, ecosystems, and the effects of acid rain
Children's Groundwater Festival Outreach Packet Grades 1-6
A packet of teacher materials, lesson plans, student worksheets and resources for
conducting water festivals
Classroom GEMS (Groundwater Education in Michigan Schools) - Elementary Grades K-6
Activities and resources for groundwater education
Engineering is Elementary – Water Filtration http://www.mos.org/eie/units.php Grades 1-6
Field Manual for Water Quality Monitoring by William Stapp Grades 7-12
Describes student data collection and analysis of nine water quality parameters;
sources of water pollution; how to solve water quality problems.
Groundwater Education in Michigan Schools (GEMS) Grades K-6
23 activity lesson plans, teacher background & student worksheets for water/groundwater
Hands-On Nature by Jenepher Lingelbach, Vermont Institute of Science Grades K-6
Information and activities for exploring the ponds, streams, and other outdoor
environments with children
Lake Effects: The Lake Superior Guide by the Lake Superior Center Grades K-12
Background information and activities about Lake Superior
Making Waves Grades K-12
A detailed “how-to” & useful tips for putting on a water festival
Making A Bigger Splash Grades K-6
A collection of Water Education and Festival Activities
Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum Unit Support– Water Quality Grades 6-8
9 lessons, video, CD, maps, posters, aerial photos. http://wupcenter.mtu.edu/education/ecosystem_curriculum_units/index.html
Michigan WISE (Waste Information Series for Education) Grades K-12
Background information,
and activities/lessons in units organized for grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12
Pond and Stream Safari: A Guide to the Ecology of Aquatic Invertebrates Grades 6-12
Excellent resource and activities for pond and stream studies
Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) Grades K-10
Activities to teach about all aspects of water through science, math, language arts, art, & music
Project WILD—Aquatic Grades K-12
Curriculum/activity guide that teaches about wildlife & water
River Cutters Teacher’s Guide by LHS GEMS Grades 6-9
Information and activities on erosion, geologic events, pollution, and human
effects on the environment
Rivers Curriculum Guide: Biology by Rivers Curriculum Project (RCP) Grades 9-12
Explores the diversity of plant and animal life along rivers; uses benthic
macroinvertebrates as the primary indicator of a river's health)
Rivers Curriculum Guide: Chemistry by RCP Grades 9-12
Describes the nine water-quality tests used to assess stream health; links
water-quality test procedures to basic chemical principles students study in class
Rivers Curriculum Guide: Earth Science by RCP Grades 9-12
Provides information and activities on how to use the physical features of a river to
discern important clues about a river's geological development)
Rivers Curriculum Guide: Geography by RCP Grades 9-12
Describes how the Earth's surface is occupied and organized using the five themes
of geography: location, place, movement, regions, and human-environment interactions
Science Book of Water by Neil Ardley Grades K-3
Contains variety of water experiments
Streamkeeper’s Field Guide Grades 7-12
Watershed inventory & stream monitoring methods
Water Precious Water by AIMS Activities Grades 2-6
Collection of elementary water activities
Watershed Science for Educators by Cornell Extension Grades 7-12
“How to” for designing a stream investigation including: selecting stations, using aerial
photos and topographic maps to delineate the watershed, collect and interpret data from
chemical, biological and physical stream assessments.
WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands Grades K-10
Activities to teach about all aspects of wetlands
Science Equipment
Sampling Kit for Streams, Ponds and Wetlands Grades K-10
Contains nets, magnifiers, tubs and other items for collecting and identifying aquatic organisms
Dripial Pursuit Grades 6-12
Patterned after “Trivial Pursuit” using water-related words
Stencils for Storm Drain Stenciling Grades 6-12
Enviroscape All ages
2 x 2 ft tabletop model that demonstrates non-point sources of pollution:
sediment, fertilizers, road salt, used motor oil, etc.
Groundwater Flow Model All ages
Tabletop model of where groundwater is found; shows how groundwater can be
polluted by landfills, underground storage tanks, and other sources using dye;
illustrates connection between surface and groundwater
"Investigating Groundwater: The Fruitvale Experience" Grades 7-10
A hands-on classroom activity that demonstrates the effects of groundwater
contamination; students test 40 samples of "well water" & map a groundwater
contamination plume
Puddle Pictures Grades 1-5
Patterned after "Pictionary" using water-related words
Stream Ecology Leaf Pack Experiment Kit by lame Company Grades 6-12
Contains materials to conduct a variety of experiments on the role of leaves in
streams, and how to assess habitat and water quality for stream macroinvertebrates
Stream Macroinvertebrate Flashcards Grades 6-12
Set of 18 laminated color illustrations of major stream/pond macroinvertebrates
Waste Hierarchy: Where Is Away?" Grades 7-12
Hands-on classroom activities address the four levels of waste treatment practices:
landfills, incineration, reuse/recycle, and source reduction
LaMotte Water Chemistry Test Kits : DO, pH, P, N, turbidity, iron, copper Grades 7-12
Audio Cassette Tapes
Excuse Me Sir, That's My Aquifer 30 min. Grades K-6
Songs about groundwater
Frogs & Toads of Michigan 13 min. Grades 3-12
Contains songs/calls of Michigan’s 13 species of frogs & toads
Nature Nuts 58 min. Grades K-6
Science & ecology songs including "Romp in the Swamp", "Garbage Man",
"Recycle Blues", "Don't Throw It Away."
Videos
After the Rain by U.S. EPA & Weather Channel . 29 min. Grades 6-12
Explores importance of water, the pressures our cities are placing on this precious
resource, and ways to protect local drinking water supplies.
Aquatic Invertebrates and Water Quality 7 min. Grades 6-12
Role of stream macroinvertebrates in the aquatic ecosystem and how they are used
as water quality indicators
Down the Drain 30 min., 3,2,1 Contact Series Grades 4-8
Good lesson on the water properties and the water cycle-- also talks about water
usage, pollution, and treatment
Headwaters: The Lifeline of a River (28 min) Sponsored by Rouge River Watershed Grades 6-12
Council and SE Michigan Water Quality Board. Introduces issues of headwater protection.
It's Found Underground 31 min. Grades 3-5
Describes the water cycle, water table, permeability, and groundwater contamination
Life of the <Great> Lakes 58 min. Grades 5-12
Story of the world's greatest freshwater fishery
Michigan's Drinking Water--- Safe, Reliable, and Abundant 10 min. Grades 3-9
Municipal treatment and delivery
Michigan's Great Lakes Coastal Zone - Part 1: Threatened and Endangered Species Grades 4-9
22 min. Discusses the peregrine falcon, eagle, trumpeter swan, and osprey
Michigan's Great Lakes Coastal Zone- Part 2: Agriculture, Recreation, Fishing Grades 4-9
17 min. Discusses the unique coastal zones of the Great Lakes and how
they are used for agriculture, recreation, and fishing
Michigan's Great Lakes Coastal Zone - Part 3: Commercial Shipping, Industrial Grades 4-9
Development, Habitat Restoration 20 min.
Discusses how industry in Michigan has impacted natural habitats and how the damage
is being corrected now; shows the restoration of a wetland
Our Valuable Wetlands Resource by Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council 27 min. Grades 7-12
Focuses on how to identify the basic types of wetlands in the Great Lakes Basin,
and the values of wetlands
Rise and Fall of the Great Lakes 12 min. Produced by Canadian Film Board. Grades 6-12
Satire on the origins and current fate of the Great Lakes.
SOS for American Streams by Izaak Walton League 28 min. Grades 5-12
Water quality monitoring techniques
Thousand Friends of Frogs 10 min. Grades 4-12
Minnesota news reports about the students who found the deformed frogs and brought the
frog deformity issue to national attention. Students express their concerns and Minnesota
Water Pollution Control scientists explain their research efforts to understand the problem.
Torch Lake: An Area of Concern 18 min. Grades 7-12
Explanation of Torch Lake as a superfund site, good area history lesson
We All Live Downstream Grades 7-12
Identifies point and non-point sources of water pollution in a watershed, with special
emphasis on the Tualatin River in Oregon
The Wealth of Wetlands 23 min. Grades 9-12
Value of wetlands from different property owners' perspectives; restoration methods
Children’s Books
Come Back, Salmonby Molly Cone Grades 1-6
How a group of dedicated kids adoptedPidgeon Creek and brought it back to life
A Drop of Water by Walter Wick Grades 6-12
Spectacular photos, simple text about evaporation, condensation, capillary
attraction and surface tension
Flush: Treating Wastewater by Karen Mueller Coombs Grades 6-9
A history of waste Disposal, water treatment operations, lots of pictures, good examples
Follow the Water from Brook to Ocean by Author Dorros Grades K-4
Explores water's journey, how it shapes the earth, and why it is important to keep it clean
Henry Goes Underground by Patricia Chilton-Stringham Grades K-3
Understanding groundwater
Lake Superior by Ann Armbruster Grades 2-5
History of Lake Superior
Letting Swift River Go by Jane Yolen Grades K-4
Discusses the destruction of homes to create a reservoir for a large city
The Magic School Bus: At the Waterworks : Water treatment by Joanna Cole Grades K -4
The Magic School Bus: Wet All Over by Joanna Cole Grades K-4
Marshes & Swamps by Gail Gibbons Grades K-4 Information on marshes swamps and their importance to nature
McElligot’s Pool by Dr. Seuss Grades K-3
A child patiently waits to catch a fish despite all of the reasons why fish might not be there...
A New True Book: Water Pollution by Darlene R. Stille Grades 4-6
How we use water and how pollution affects lakes and oceans
A New True Book: Wetlands by Emilie U. Lepthien and Joan Kalbacken Grades 4-6
Defines different types of wetlands, where they're found, wildlife uses, pollution, and laws
Oil Spill! by Melvin Berger Grades K-4
Discusses how oil spills occur, how they are cleaned up, and how they can be
prevented; specifically the Exxon-Valdez spill
One Small Square: Pond by Donald M. Silver Grades K-4
Visiting a pond from a child’s perspective
Paddle-To-The-Sea by Holling C. Holling Grades K-4
A toy wooden canoe’s journey from Lake Superior to the Atlantic Ocean
Peter's Place by Sally Grindley Grades K-3
Peter tries to help animals in an oil spill
The Rainstick: A Fable by Sandra Chisholm Robinson Grades 2-6
A fable about a West African boy’s quest for rain; includes instructions for making rain sticks
The Salamander Room by Anne Mazer Grades Pre-4
Describes a salamander's habitat in a fun way
A fun, colorful beginning book about water
Water by Francois Michel Grades K-6
An amazing pop-up, pull-tab, lift-the-flap guide to all aspects Water--groundwater,
streams, floods, drinking water, and more
Water Dance by Thomas Locker Grades K-4
Poems and Pictures about water
Where the River Begins by Thomas Locker Grades K-4
Two boys follow a river to its beginning
Reference Books:
Aquatic Entomology by W. Patrick McCafferty Grades 6-12
Illustrated guide to aquatic insects and their relatives.
How to Know the Aquatic Insects by Dennis Lehmkuhl Grades 6-12
Provides a key to Aquatic Insect Orders and Families, morphology of insects, and
use of aquatic insects as pollution indicators.
Great Lakes: An Environmental Atlas and Resource Book by U.S. EPA Grades 5-12
Outstanding compilation of information and maps about the Great Lakes
Water Quality Indicators Guide: Surface Water USDA Grades 7-12
Examines agricultural related nonpoint source pollution, how to identify pollutants,
and recommends best management practices (BMPs) to reduce or eliminate pollution
Classroom Posters:
Eat Or Be Eaten At The Wetland Cafe Grades K-2
Perfect for laminating as a placemat, for a daily reminder of food chains; EPA & TVA
The Water Cycle: Nature's Recycling System Grades 4-9
USDA & Water Environment Federation
Where Land Meets Water: Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Grades 4-9
Great Lakes Commission http://www.glc.org/basin/pubs/wlmw.html
Great Lakes Basin Map (and maps of each Great Lake) Grades 6-12
Michigan Sea Grant http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/store |
