LabLearner—The Science of Learning
LabLearner—The Science of Learning

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Watersheds

Investigation 1 – PreLab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Investigation 1

ZERO-IN

The italicized font represents information to be shared orally or physically completed with the students at this time.

The non-italicized font represents additional information included supporting the teacher’s understanding of the content being introduced within the CELL.

ASK WHY

Remind students that they are part of a watershed, and everything they do on the surface affects the water in their creeks and rivers, thus affecting the water they drink and the water for all living creatures within them.

BRANCH OUT

Remind students that watershed coordinators monitor industrial pollution, habitat destruction, and excessive diversion within local watersheds. They then develop and lead efforts to keep the local watershed and its ecosystems healthy for years to come.

GET FOCUSED

Inform students that the Investigation is designed to help them to answer the following Focus Question:

  • How do the abiotic factors of water velocity and discharge affect a watershed? Water velocity is the distance water travels per time. Discharge is the volume of water that flows into an area per time. As water velocity increases, discharge increases. Increases in water velocity and discharge from headwaters of a watershed may lead to flooding downstream.

Note: This question is located in students’ SDRs at the beginning and end of the Investigation.

Note: This is a succinct response to the Focus Question and is placed here for your reference at this time. A fully developed response to the Focus Question can be found on the PostLab page.

GO DEEPER

As a class, read the Background(s) in the Investigation. Have students read the information aloud or silently to themselves. When students have finished, discuss the following concepts as a class:

  • One of the abiotic (non-living) factors that is important to the structure and function of watersheds is water velocity.
  • Velocity is distance per time and is usually measured in meters per second (m/s).
  • A second abiotic factor that affects watersheds is discharge.
  • The discharge of a stream or river is the amount (volume) of water that passes a point in a certain amount of time.
  • When scientists measure water velocity, they cannot measure it directly. Instead, they measure a distance on a stream and determine the amount of time that it takes an object to travel (float) that distance.

Note: These concepts are integrated into the Background(s) and are used to deepen students’ comprehension of the big ideas.

 

LEARN THE LabLearner LINGO

The following list includes Key Terms that are introduced in the Investigation Background(s). They should be used, as appropriate, by teachers and students during everyday classroom discourse.

  • Watershed
  • Velocity
  • Discharge

Note: Definitions to these terms can be found on the Introduction page to the CELL.

Note: Additional words may be bolded within the Background(s). These words are not Key Terms and are strictly emphasized for exposure at this time.

SET FOR SUCCESS

  • Direct students to complete the Recall section in their SDRs. Student answers will vary.
  • What is velocity?
  • What happens when water velocity in a stream increases?
  • What could make water velocity increase?
  • Play the video below. Stop to ask students questions or answer students’ questions when necessary. Remind students to follow along with their SDRs and make any notes that they think might be helpful.
  • After the video, direct students to divide into their lab groups to discuss their strategy for the lab. For example, they may assign certain group members to perform specific functions during the lab.

Note: The purpose of the video is to allow students to anticipate the laboratory experience they will soon encounter. Students should leave this PreLab session with a firm idea of what to expect and how to perform in the lab.

Note: Homework is posted below the video.

 

HOMEWORK

Tell students that they should review the Investigation in preparation for the Lab.