The Watershed Project

ile studying the Gaia mythology and as ENTER THE EARTH is being introduced, the assigning of watershed habitats for research areas will be introduced. Three types of watershed habitats- headwaters, wetlands, and rivermouth- will be presented. The environment closest to the proximity of the school will be extended to surrounding wetlands areas. Students will become aquainted with the habitats, organisms and animals in it, and the negative impacts from humans. Their guiding question once learning about their habitat would be, ”What can be done to help improve conditions?”

WAY OF WATER and PROJECT BASED INSTRUCTION

Research areas will be with the goal of creating an action plan for improvement of their chosen watershed habitat. The steps will be to identify one particular problem and coming up with a plan for it. Further research on it will follow. Finally, students will design an action plan that addresses the problem, carry it out, and present results.

THE OTTER PROJECT

While studying WAY OF WATER, the character Gaia appeals to Miho, the main protagonist for help. She feels the marine ecosystem needs her help. In line with this idea, the areas of research for this project extend from the Watershed Project and closer to the sea and deeper ocean environment. One of the areas-agricultural runoff and other contaminants such as plastic debris pave the way for a look at things that affect a keystone animal- the sea otter.

WAY OF WATER and PROJECT BASED INSTRUCTION

The research areas are for this project are indicators of global warming contributors. Research areas include the following: ocean acidification, algae blooms, dead zones, and disruptions in the food web. The research culminates in a research report, presentation, and seeks to address how these problems affect the sea otter in particular. Solutions to improve the problem are also included.

GLOBAL WARMING PROJECT

During the study of ISLANDS, the importance of noticing the things we do that contribute to global warming is a parallel investigative focus. In this fictional future of a world devastated by the effects of global warming, it is important that students see the ramifications of our lack of control on reducing carbon emissions. It is a world wide problem.

ISLANDS and PROJECT BASED INSTRUCTION

Students will examine the worldwide effects on a number of issues that reveal global warming effects. Some of these are problems such as agriculture impacts, weather related disaster occurrences, ecosystem disruptions, and water resource threats.

Other research areas on this project are the following: causes of climate change controlled by changes to the stability of the earth’s chemistry (greenhouse effect), electric power use, carbon dioxide & our economy, increased global population, heat waves, health ailments from pollution and disease, weather changes such as hurricanes, flood, and drought, the world’s food supply vulnerability, and deforestation. The Atlas For Climate Change will be a main source.

The research culminates with a short story that provides a scientific basis that explains the fictional future in Jacob Sackin’s novel.

THE ORGANIC vs. FOOD MANUFACTURING PROJECT

As an examination of farming practices is seen in ENTER THE EARTH, the need to have students explore the differences between large farming companies and organic farms is presented. The family in the novel is pitted against the large scale production of a company attempting to come in and devastate the community for the sake of mass food production at local environmental expense.

ENTER THE EARTH and PROJECT BASED INSTRUCTION

Research areas in this unit surround the organic farm industry, nutrition and the fast food industry, the use and health effects of pesticides, and sustainable communities. Students work in project teams to develop newsletters, children’s stories, or informational brochures.

Links below showcases student work produced on these research topics.

English 2 Projects