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