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NYS Content Area Standard

MST
Standard 4/Physical Setting
Key Idea #2 Many phenomena that we observe on earth involve interactions among components of air, water and earth

NATIONAL STANDARDS
  • Science: Earth & Space Sciences
  • Life Skills: Working with Others
  • Language Arts: Writing
Title: Water Droplet Travel Guide (Where does the Rain go?)

Grade Level: 6-8th Science

Author: Sandra Bureau, Indian Lake CSD

Email: bureaus@ilcsd.org
Adirondack Curriculum Content Area
_√_ Natural History
___ Human History
___ Culture & the Arts
___ Government & Civics
___ Economy
___ Health, Recreation & Life Skills

Investigative Question or Issue: Where does the rain go?

Challenge:
 
In teams organized with the help of your teacher, produce a travel guide for a drop of water entering our local watershed from the atmosphere. You may choose any location in our watershed as the point of impact for the water droplet.

Context for this Challenge:
This challenge is intended as a culminating experience after students have studied the topic of watersheds; what they are and how to map them.

Directions: Organize teams, provide resources, and hand out Student Directions along with the Product Quality Checklist. Allow 5 class days for completion of the challenge.

Quality Standards:  

  • Travel guide completed within time parameters
  • Travel guide no larger than two pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
  • Travel guide is colorful and creative in the spirit of a travel guide. It includes narratives, graphics like a map that would allow the water droplet to "find" its way and pictures
  • Travel guide is neat and easy to read. Standards of proper English are met.
  • Travel guide accurately describes the water cycle of the droplet. The processes of precipitation, evaporation, condensation, runoff, soaking in and absorption are accurately and appropriately described as they apply to the droplet
  • Travel guide indicates at least two possible paths of travel through the watershed for the droplet
  • Travel guide accurately identifies major features in our landscape
  • Travel guide contains graphics at least one of which illustrates the water cycle for the water droplet
  • Planning sheet and work schedule is completed on time and shows a division of tasks and a realistic work schedule
  • Work journal contains entries every day that are an accurate reflection of student activity and contribution as a productive team member
Adapted for the Adirondack Curriculum Project from the work of Education By Design TM and Leading EDGE, LLC ©ACP 2002

   Product Quality
Checklist
Date: ________                                                                     Class Period: ________
Product Author(s):

 

Droplet Travel Guide 
Evaluator Name(s)
 
 Observed Standard/Criteria
Possible
Points
Rating
   Form    
 
 Travel guide no larger than two pieces of 8 1/2" x 11" paper.
   
 
 Travel guide is colorful and creative in the spirit of a travel guide. 
   
 
 Travel guide is neat and easy to read. Standards of proper English are met.
   
 
Travel guide includes narratives, graphics like a map that would allow the water droplet to "find" its way and pictures
   
  Process
   

Travel guide completed within time parameters



Planning sheet and work schedule is completed
on time and shows a division of tasks and a realistic work schedule




Work journal contains entries every day that are an accurate reflection of student activity and contribution as a productive team member.



Content



Accurately reflects the water cycle and uses the following terms: evaporation, condensation, runoff, precipitation and absorption



Travel guide indicates at least two possible paths of travel through the watershed for the droplet



Travel guide accurately identifies major features in our landscape



Travel guide contains graphics at least one of which illustrates the water cycle for the water droplet



Above & Beyond


 
TOTALS
   



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