Water Habitats
Level:
Curriculum Framework: Science
Curriculum Design: Content based, inquiry & exploration, critical & creative thinking.
Search Topic: “Water Habitats”
Objectives: Students will be able to:
1) List 3 forms of water habitats.
2) Describe the types of animals that live in the different types of water and what
unique features about that body of water enable them to survive.
3) Demonstrate awareness of human impact on water habitats.
Questions to Research:
1) What are the basic characteristics of an ocean, pond/lake and rivers? (is the water
flowing or still, does it typically freeze in cold weather is it salty? Etc.)
2) What are some elements these bodies of water have in common? What are some
differences?
3) List at least 4 organisms that can be found in each category (oceans, ponds/lake
and rivers).
4) Why is it that most of these animals are found specifically in one type of water
body? Why would most pond animals not survive life in an ocean?
Extend your thinking…
1) What impact do humans have on these bodies of water?
2) Hypothesize the possibly that a shark could survive in a river and Rainbow Trout
(river fish) could survive in the ocean, whom would you predict would survive
best? What about the colors, size or other unique features would allow/disallow
success in a different water habitat?
Helpful Sites for Researching:
-Missouri Botanical Garden
General information about ponds, lakes, oceans, rivers.
http://mbgnet.mobot.org/fresh/lakes/pond.htm
-Microscopy UK
This website contains images and lists of organisms that can be found in a pond.
http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/index.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/pond/
-Museum of Science
This website has information on the physical characteristics of an ocean.
http://www.mos.org/oceans/planet/features.html
-NWOCA
This website has information on ocean animals.
http://www.nwoca.org/~hol_www/OceanAnimals.html
-Nevada Department of Wildlife
This site explains the life cycle of the Rainbow Trout, a river fish.
http://www.ndow.org/ed/trout/lifecycle.shtm
-School of Ocean and Earth Science Technology
This website gives brief insight on causes and prevention suggestions for pollution.
http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/ASK/waterpol3.html
Assessment/Evaluation:
Students will have met the goals and objectives if they are able to use the computer
program of their choice to develop a grid outlining the characteristics of the water
habitats. Students will also be assessed on their ability to extend their thinking and
develop a poster or pamphlet advocating change. Content of the page, as well as
creativity and realism will be considered. The below rubric may be used:
Content
Student gave basic or no
idea of water problem and
ways to help (1pt.)
Creativity
Student used minimal or no
pictures, color or design (1
pt.)
Student did not use logical
problem (1pt.)
Level of Reality
Student gave thorough
description of problem and
several ideas of how to help
(2pts.)
Students utilized pictures,
color and design fully
(2pts.)
Issue/Problem is clearly
researched based or current
issue in our world (2pts.)
Homework:
Students will develop a public relations ad promoting change to slow damage to public
water lands. Take the perspective of a group of fishermen, concerned locals, etc. and
create a poster (using computer program of students’ choice) highlighting the problems
the area is facing and what individuals can do to stop harming the water. See above rubric
for expectations.
Students will create a chart using Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Word that will contain the
following information on oceans, ponds/lakes, rivers:
Does the water freeze in winter months?
Organisms typically found?
Salty or fresh?
Moving or still water?
Random Fact.
Developed by:
Megan Curley
The University of Dayton
Class of 2006
Email: megan.curley@ndvs.org