Stowe Watershed Curriculum
Authors:
Jonathen Bysura--3rd Grade, 5th Grade
Sarah Hanson--Sp. Educ, Kind., 2nd Grade
Rebecca Meyer--Headstart, 1st Grade, 3rd Grade
Lessons were revised by Bruce Monson and Nate
Meyer.
Head
Start
Lesson
2: What is Water?
The goal of this lesson is for students to gain an understanding
of water and the importance of water for life. Students will
explore the outdoors for signs of water.
|

Students present the results of their lake study during a watershed
festival. |
Lesson
3: Water Cycles
The goal of this lesson is to introduce students to the water
cycle. Students will also simulate (through body motions)
the movement of water as an introduction to water the water
cycle.
Lesson
4: Water Discovery
The goal of this lesson is to provide students an opportunity
to explore outdoors and search for various signs of water.

Kindergarten
Lesson
1: Who Uses Water?
The goal of this lesson is for students to understand that
plants and animals use water.
Lesson
2: Forms Of Water
Students will learn that water can be found in different forms.
Lesson
3: What Floats in Water?
Students will learn about the properties of objects in water
and find out what types of objects will float and what things
will sink.
First
Grade
Lesson
3: Water Facts
The goal of this lesson is to allow students an opportunity
to discuss in cooperative groups various facts about water.
Lesson
4: Water Cycle
The goal of this lesson is to have students act out the movement
of water within the water cycle.
Lesson
6: What is a Watershed?
The goal of this lesson is to introduce students to the concept
of watershed through their understanding that "water
runs down hill." Students will also create their own
"watershed."
Lesson 7: Habitat: Water
Students will study the water component of a habitat, focusing
on the prevention of water pollution as a way of taking care
the Stowe woods.
Lesson 10: Watershed Revisited
The goal of this lesson is for students to review the concept
of watershed and gain a more comprehensive understanding of
the concept.
Lesson
14:Water Insects
The goal of this lesson is to provide students an opportunity
to explore outdoors and search for various signs of water.
Lesson
16: Water Pollution
The goal of this lesson is for students to examine different
sources of water pollution found near the school property
during winter months.
Lesson
17: Soil & Erosion
The goal of this lesson is for students to explore soil types
and discover how vegetation affects movement of water over
land surfaces.
Second
Grade
Lesson
1: Introduction to the World of Freshwater
The goal of this lesson is for students to understand that
plants, animals (and people) use freshwater water.
Lesson
2: Habitat: Water
Students will study the water component of a habitat, focusing
on the prevention of water pollution as a way of taking care
the nearby woods or park.
Lesson
2a: Oceans Versus Lakes
The goal of this lesson is for students to learn about the
general characteristics of lakes and oceans
Lesson 3: The Water Cycle and Clouds
Students will learn how the water cycle works to supply water
to the Earth.
Lesson
4: The Journey Through a Watershed
Building on prior knowledge from previous lessons, student
will see what makes up a watershed.
Third
Grade
Lesson
1: Geology-Erosion: Part III
For third grade students to understand erosion and the impact
that wetlands have on our watershed.
Lesson 2: Topographic Maps
The goal of this lesson is for students to begin to understand
and begin to read topographic maps
Lesson
3: Building a Watershed: Part I
The goal of this lesson is for students to learn how to build
models of watersheds, and understand how watersheds work.
Lesson
4: Building a Watershed: Part II
The goal of this lesson is for students to learn how to build
models of watersheds, and understand how watersheds work.
Lesson 5: Building
a Watershed: Part III
The goal of this lesson is for students to learn how to build
models of watersheds, and understand how watersheds work.
Fourth
Grade
Lesson
7: The Stowe Watershed
Students will continue their exploration of watersheds. Students
will examine the school property and recognize that their
school is in a watershed.
Lesson
8: The Stowe Watershed Mapping Project
Students will continue their exploration of watersheds. Students
will use information they recorded the previous week regarding
the movement of water on the school property and use it to
create a map of the area and designate what they identified
as the movement of water.
Lesson
9: Watershed Mapping Activities
Students will continue their exploration of watersheds. Students
will identify local streams and waterways near the school
using maps (topographic, if available) and mark the boundaries
of the watershed.
Lesson
10: River Impacts
Through interpretation of maps, students observe how development
can affect a watershed.
Lesson
14: Cultural History along the St. Louis River
The goal of this lesson is for students to gain an historical
understanding of the cultural history found in northeastern
Minnesota that influenced the local watershed.
Lesson 20:
River Ecology
The goal of this lesson is for students to investigate a nearby
stream using sampling techniques.
Fourth/Fifth
Grade
Lesson
15: Water Conservation
The goal of this lesson is for students to examine water consumption
and efficiency in their daily lives and at school.