Watershed Curriculum

Watershed Curriculum Introduction:

This curriculum is designed for grades 3-5 to help students develop a better understanding of the importance of Hawai‘i’s watersheds as a natural resource. They will learn about plants and their function in ecosystems. Students will learn about the role trees play in the water cycle (cloud capture, evaporation, transpiration, erosion, and aquifer recharge). They will learn where their water comes from (forest to tap). They will learn and explore the Hawaiians’ management of watershed resources through the ahupua‘a system. They will learn about the threats to our forested watersheds including invasive species and human activities. Each lesson is accompanies by a PowerPoint and activity that takes one class period.

 

---

 

Lesson 1: Plants – Students will review plants parts and the life cycle. They will observe at least two different types of plants, drawing them and identifying their differences. They can use their imagination and name their plants.

• LET’S LEARN ABOUT PLANTS! Lesson 1 of 4 in the Watershed Curriculum (11 interactive min presentation)
• Lesson 1 – Plants PowerPoint
• Lesson 1_Plants Classroom Activity

• • • Plants Word Scramble
      • Answer Key Plants Word Scramble
    • Plants Word Search
      • Answer Key Plants Word Search
    • Plants Crossword
      • Answer Key Plants Crossword

---

Lesson 2: Watersheds – Students will make a model of a watershed. They will observe how surface water flow is determined by the shape of the land. Students will visually observe the physical characteristics of a watershed, and investigate the impacts of human land use decisions.

• LET’S LEARN ABOUT WATERSHEDS! Lesson 2 of 4 in the Watershed Curriculum (11 min interactive presentation)
• Lesson 2 – Watershed PowerPoint
• Lesson 2 – Watersheds Activity

• • Watershed Cross Word
    • Answer Key Watershed Crossword
  • Watershed Word Scramble
    • Answer Key Watershed  Word Scramble
  • Watershed Word Search
    • Answer Key Watershed Word Search

---

Lesson 3: Hawaiian Land Divisions – Students will participate in their own ahupua‘a system by
preparing for a voyage. They will determine what supplies they may need and in which region of the ahupua’a they should go to gather their supplies.

• LET’S LEARN ABOUT HAWAIIAN LAND DIVISIONS! Lesson 3 of 4 in the Watershed Curriculum. (8 minute interactive presentation)
• Lesson 3 -Hawaiian Land Divisions PowerPoint
• Lesson 3 – Hawaiian Land Divisions Activity

• •  Land Divisions Word Search
    • Answer Key Land Divisions Word Search
  • Land Divisions Word Scramble
    • Answer Key Land Divisions Word Scramble
  • Land Divisions Crossword
    • Answer Key Land Divisions Crossword 

---

Lesson 4: Threats – Students will choose an invasive species in Hawai‘i using the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council website. They will find out how the species was introduced. Students will deduce what harm it causes (health, environment, economy, quality of life), what layer/s in the forests it invades, how it impacts the watershed, and what are possible solutions to solve the problem.

• LET’S LEARN ABOUT WATERSHED THREATS! Lesson 4 of 4 in the Watershed Curriculum. (20 minute interactive presentation)
• Lesson 4 – Threats PowerPoint
• Lesson 4 – Threats Activity

• • Threats Crossword
    • Answer Key Threats Crossword
  • Threats Word Scramble
    • Answer Key Threats Word Scramble
  • Threats Word Search
    • Answer Key Threats Word Search

---