Streams and rivers Teacher Resources

Students explore the differences between lentic and lotic ecosystems. In this ecology lesson students study the water systems in Pennsylvania.

Middle schoolers take samples from local freshwater sources and examine them for macroinvertebrate life. They take samples from both shallow and deep freshwater environments, measure temperatures, and classify organisms found in their...

Students examine the value of ecosystems. They read and analyze an article, evaluate ecosystem services, research the benefits of biomonitors, and design a public service announcement.

Students study a variety of global wetland habitats, their similarities and differences. They examine the variety of life that such wetlands support and determine that many animals and plants are adapted to life in wetlands, that...

Students discover how wetlands filter out contaminants before they can reach other bodies of water. In groups, they design and build a model of a stormwater wetland. They test the water quality and inform their classmates about the...

Young scholars participate in a simulation to investigate the impact of the wetland environment on the migration of birds. They discuss the patterns of migration they took and why they avoided certain wetlands.

Students explore the lives of bgeahvers. They identify the physical and behavioral adaptations that help beavers survive in their environment. Students compare and contrast how beavers influence the ecology of both forest and aquatic...

Students study the geologic history of terrain, soils, and drainage patterns. They recognize ecological processes that determine the dynamic nature of habitats. They investigate the influence of human activity on the landscape.

Fourth graders study the impact of the wetland environment on the migration of birds. They make a list of the important reasons on a large piece of paper to be posted in the classroom and point out the biggest wetland in the state (The...

Students have trout in their classroom and complete journaling, checklists, temperature checking, and ammonia level recording. In this trout lesson plan, take weekly observation records of their trout.

For this estuaries worksheet, students answer short answer questions about estuaries where they live. Students complete 9 short answer questions.

In this environmental science worksheet, learners complete a crossword puzzle with 26 questions about human impact on the environment.

Young scholars examine water data for up to a month and perform tests on the samples.

Students conduct a visual survey to discover information about local land use and water quality; document their findings by mapping and profiling the water body; and use this initial investigation to raise questions about local land use.

Students study the sources for the water they use. They determine their town's major water supply and how many gallons per day does the population use.

Second graders investigate the agriculture of rice by reading a study guide.  In this food making lesson, 2nd graders read about the irrigation of rice fields used for harvesting.  Students write three sentences about the rice...

Students experience the effects of pollution and erosion on a model of a watershed and explore ways to change the outcome.

Learn about stream and river ecosystems. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.

In this unit, students will try to improve stream quality and reduce human impacts by taking action.This Advanced Water Quality unit is packaged into three smaller parts: Part 1: Stream Habitat Assessment; Part 2: Macroinvertebrate...

Protecting Shorelines & Streambanks - Naturally explains the critical importance of healthy shorelines for preventing soil erosion and filtering out pollutants. It looks specifically at riparian areas, such as those in Alberta, which...

Children will learn about riparian areas and their importance in maintaining balanced ecosystems in lands adjoining lakes, streams and rivers, as they play these colourful, interactive games.

The Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society, also known as 'Cows and Fish', has produced this colourful pamphlet to teach about riparian areas, what they are, how they attract wildlife, their importance for fish, and how to assess...

Learn what riparian areas are, why they are important for the health of standing and moving fresh water, how to assess their health, and how to take care of them.

Riparian soils occur along the edges of a lake, stream or river. Pictures and diagrams in this fact sheet explain the importance of and composition of riparian soils.