The lessons encourage students to take meaningful action to correct problems and restore damaged water sites. They learn mapping skills and go on a field trip during which they apply these skills and ask questions about water quality based on their observations. Finally, they begin the portfolio that they will keep throughout the unit. A collaborative approach is emphasized. Students learn information needed to investigate water quality issues in Lesson Three, Student-Directed Lessons .
Students accept responsibility for teaching each other while the teacher serves as facilitator.
Students undertake a second field trip in Lesson Four, Data Collection Field Trip. Working with a resource professional, students collect and analyze data and compare it to data collected by students in earlier grades, as well as students in their grade through time. They will also compare it to data collected throughout the state. A Water Quality Symposium. A guest resource specialist helps students make connections between their findings as they use a variety of audiovisual aids to convey what they have learned at a Water Quality Symposium.