1. QuestionA watershed is an area of land that drains to a particular river, lake, bay or other body of water. Watersheds are sometimes called “basins” or “drainage basins.”

We all live in a watershed. Some watersheds, like that of your local stream or creek, are small. Others, like the Chesapeake Bay watershed, are very large.

Human activity can affect the quality of the water that drains into the bodies of water around them.

Think about the essential question:

1 2 3 654 Next

How does human activity in your neighborhood impact the water quality of the watershed in which you live?

Watersheds

Image Source: Chesapeake Bay Program

2. Information Sources

Use these digital resources to learn more about Maryland watershed areas and how environmental issues impact the Chesapeake Bay watershed:

The Chesapeake Bay Program website: A website providing information about Chesapeake Bay wildlife, watershed, and restoration

The Chesapeake Bay Program: Learn the issues affecting water quality and the Chesapeake Bay.

US Geological Survey: Watersheds: Learn all about watersheds in this text based article. What are they? Where are they found? What purpose do they serve?

NBC Learn video report : Chesapeake Bay watersheds and pollution in Baltimore’s urban streams

A Natural Focus with Laurie Sanders: What Is a Watershed?: A Discovery Education video about watersheds

Surf Your Watershed: Find out which watershed you live in by typing in your zip code

Ten Things You Can Do to Make a Difference in Your Watershed: EPA website about water and environment

1 2 3 654 Next

Image Source: Chesapeake Bay Foundation

3. Student Activity

Think about how human activity in your community can affect the quality of the water in your watershed. Use this table and the digital resources on the previous slide to think and write about the effects that human activity may have on the quality of water in your watershed community.

1 2 3 654 Next

Image Source: Chesapeake Bay Program

4. Assessment Activity

Think about what you’ve learned concerning watershed areas. Compare the human actions presented and pick one that you think may have the strongest impact on the quality of water in your watershed.

You may choose to:Write a brief constructed, informative response with an accompanying Voki to present your response ORCreate a short video PSA explaining your choice.

In your response, be sure to describe: What the human action is What is the effect of the action on the

watershed Two suggestions to fix the problem in

the short term and long term

1 2 3 654 Next

Select the images to receive tutorials on creating Vokis and Flip cam videos from the BCPS Office of Instructional Technology

Assessment rubric suggestions for grading:

Video productionVoki

5. Enrichment Activities

Try these sites for more interactive Bay experiences.

MPT Bayville interactive website: An interactive site that informs students and families about the Chesapeake Bay.

Chesapeake Bay Field Scope: Field Scope is a National Geographic tool for exploring, sharing, and analyzing real-world data sets, including observations from students and scientists studying the world around them.

1 2 3 654 Next

Image Source: Purvation

6. Teacher Support Materials

Next Generation Science StandardsMS-ESS3 Earth and Human ActivityMS-ESS3.cC: Human Impacts on Earth SystemsMS-ESS3-3. Apply scientific principles to design a method for monitoring and minimizing a human impact on the environment. Common Core State Standards Reading: 1. Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.Writing: 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

Standards for the 21st Century Learner 1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g. textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning.2.1.3 Use strategies to draw conclusions from information and apply knowledge to curricular areas, real-world situations, and further investigations.

Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students3.0: Use a variety of technologies for learning and collaboration.

Time Frame: 1-2 class periods

Differentiation: Students may use Voki or make a video PSA

instead of written response.

Learning Styles: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Tactile, Reflective, Active, Global Understanding

Notes to the teacher:Gold Stars denote a high lexileSilver Stars denote lower lexile

Last updated: July 2013Created by Anna Conner linked to email address,

BCPS Slam Dunk Research Model, Copyright 2013, Baltimore County Public Schools, MD, all rights reserved. The models may be used for educational, non-profit school use only. All other uses, transmissions, and duplications are prohibited unless permission is granted expressly. This lesson is based on Jamie McKenzie’s Slam Dunk Lesson module.

1 2 3 654