Rock Cycle and Rock Identification
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.
Rock Cycle/Rock Identification Key Handouts
Attached are the Rock cycle and rock identification key handouts that go with the Rock Cycle and Rock Identification Curriculum
Satellite Photo of the St. Louis River Estuary
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.
Snow Investigations
Students will observe and investigate the properties of snow and snowflakes as a means to learning about states of matter.
Subnivean Zone and Temperatures
Students will discover the insulating effect of snow and understand that temperature varies according to snow depth. Students will also learn what the subnivean zone is and how it helps animals survive the winter.
Sum of the Rivers
Students will see maps of Lake Superior and the St. Louis River to compare the sizes. Students will then each draw a portion of either the St. Louis River or a river near their school that flows into the St. Louis River or Lake Superior. They will make connections that every part of the river can impact the health of the rest of the river and of Lake Superior.
The Brownstone Quarries of Bayfield County
Attached is a two part PDF of Tom Gerstenberger's book "The Brownstone Quarries of Bayfield County"
Thermo-What??
Students will learn about temperature and temperature changes using the Lake Superior thermocline. Concepts and vocabulary covered are: water column, thermocline, metalimnion, epilimnion, hypolimnion, lake turnover, dimictic, and lake stratification.
Thompson Reservoir Investigation Lesson
Attached is a lesson plan and worksheet for investigating Thompson Reservoir. This will prepare students for a more detailed chemistry investigation by gathering a physical inventory of the Reservoir and a chance to experience a virtual overview of the upstream watershed. The lesson also introduces the study of sediments. Use the curricula titled "Google Earth Tour of the St. Louis River" for the virtual tour. Sediment core is optional.
Web Directory: Lake Superior Watershed Research Project
An incomplete list of sources for student research projects.
