Keywords: water cycle, aquifer, buffer strips, ground water, infiltrate, watershed, pollution, erosion; Lesson Plan Grade Level: 5-6; Total Time Required: advance work to prepare stream tables, 2 class periods; Setting: regular classroom, activity may be done outside in good weather
Goals
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the water cycle.
- Students will understand how vegetation and other land covers slow soil erosion and protect against sedimentation.
- Students will understand that water flowing through the ground is cleaned as it travels.
Materials needed
- prepared stream trays - one filled with sod
- one filled with sand
- one filled with gravel
- one filled with loose soil
- one filled with soil that has a loose vegetation cover
- water
- water containers with a sprinkle spout
- containers to catch the runoff
State Standards Addressed : PA Science and Technology 3.1.4B, 3.2.4C, 4.1.4E, 4.2.4A
Teaching Model: Hands-on
Subjects Covered : Science
Topics Covered : water cycle, run-off, pollution, natural cleaning of water
Methods
- Begin with a review of the water cycle, water uses and sources.
- Discuss the vocab with the use of visuals.
- Divide the class into 5 groups.
- Assign each group to a prepared stream table tray.
- Gather the class around each tray and predict what might happen as water is added.
- Have the students assigned to the tray add water with the sprinkle spout.
- Observe what happens in the tray and with the water collected as runoff.
- Record observations.
- Continue until water has been added to each tray and observations have been made for each.
Evaluation
Students will write a paragraph describing the differences in the stream trays and in the runoff collected. Paragraphs should also include which set-up the student feels is healthiest for the environment and why.
Literature Cited
Sharpe, William E., and Sanford S. Smith. Incredible Water With the Water Lion, 4-H Water Project Unit 2. University Park, Pa.: Center for Water Stewardship, The Pennsylvania State University.
Swistock, Bryan, and Sanford S. Smith (2001). From the Woods: Watersheds. University Park, Pa.: The Pennsylvania State University
Author
Deborah Filson, Highland Park Area Elementary School, Mifflin County School District, Grade 5