Utilizing the Lake Superior watershed and the St. Louis River as a foundation for learning
Attached is a short lesson with data and graphs (for students to compare since the X axis aligns). This is data from the Nemadji River for river flow as well as corresponding rainfall. This will compare baseline data with the flood data from 2012. Includes worksheet to guide students through the analysis.
Attached is a slideshow that compares the Faxon Creek Watershed with the St. Louis River Watershed as well as activities: make a snowflake and draw a watershed! The second part of this curricula includes two Google Earth Tours: one of Faxon Creek and another of the St. Louis River. The lesson plan includes the recipe and materials needed for the lesson.
The curriculum attached is actually a list of websites you can find useful for you and your students. Some of the websites will give you access to data that you can give to your students, other websites (like the WI DNR EEK!! website) provides information that your students can use (and is age appropriate for elementary/middle school). Other websites provide great kits or other resources.
The curriculum contains great outdoor activities for students of all ages.
Students will understand that the shore line of Lake Superior used to be longer in the past. Students will understand the geology changes the lay out of the land over time.
Students will explore folklore and then write their own pourquoi tale. There are two curricula that are very similar. One has a section where students can create illustrations.
The unit plan attached will guide students through the rock cycle (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock formations), identification of common rocks of these types, and guide students into understanding the importance of brownstone. There are a lot of resources for this: "The Brownstone Quarries of Bayfield County" by Tom Gerstenberger (two parts), rock identification key, rock cycle, and (attached here as well) Survivor Buildings of the Great Chicago Fire. LSNERR has a rock collection kit and "You're a Rock!" Game kit.
Attached are the Rock cycle and rock identification key handouts that go with the Rock Cycle and Rock Identification Curriculum
Students will learn about the differences between saltwater and freshwater, where they are found, what water is in Lake Superior and the animals of both types of water.
This is a current satellite photo of the St. Louis River Estuary. This is a great tool to aid your students in finding their place in the watershed.