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Lesson Plans & Activities

Peer-reviewed, classroom-ready NGSS-aligned lesson plans, activities, data puzzles, virtual field trips, and design challenges covering environmental hazards, climate change, mental health, Earth systems, community resilience, and more.  

Lesson Plans & Activities

Cartoon graphic of two people talking and the text "Conversation Guides"
Conversation Guide: Our Relationship with Water

This structured conversation guide is a great way to begin a dialogue about shared experiences with water in your community!

 In this conversation, participants will explore their shared watershed and local ecosystems, and connect with neighbors through their common and unique experiences with water in the region. We hope individuals, families, and communities will share their memories and stories about water and come together to imagine a future they want for their communities.
Lesson
Middle School
High School
University/College
Out-of-school/Non-formal
We are Water with birds and a sun: connecting communities
Cartoon graphic of two people talking and the text "Conversation Guides"
Guía de Conversación: Nuestra Relación con el Agua | Conversation Guide: Our Relationship with Water

This structured conversation guide is a great way to begin a dialogue about shared experiences with water in your community!

 En esta conversación, los participantes van a discutir su cuenca compartida y conectar a través de sus experiencias únicas y compartidas sobre el agua en la región. Esperamos que los participantes compartan sus recuerdos e historias sobre el agua y que se junten para imaginar el futuro que quieren para sus comunidades.
Lesson
Middle School
High School
University/College
Out-of-school/Non-formal
We are Water with birds and a sun: connecting communities
Cartoon graphic of a camera with the text "Stop Motion Animation Workshop"
Stop Motion Animation

Learn how to create a short (<1 minute) stop-motion animation of a story!

 This short sequence of tutorials is designed to be completed in two sessions. Each part is about 1.5 – 2 hours long. You may want to leave time between sessions for students to make their pieces. Depending on how intricate their story is, they may need more time for cutting out shapes, making “characters,” etc.
Lesson
STEAM Activity
Action Project
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
University/College
Out-of-school/Non-formal
We are Water with birds and a sun: connecting communities
Aerial view of a Waffle Garden which includes segments of gardens dedicated to different plants as well as roads
Waffle Garden Take & Make Kit

This Take & Make Kit will help you understand ancient Indigenous agricultural techniques, including science and math skills that are still effective in modern times!

 Indigenous peoples of the American Southwest, including the Diné (Navajo), A:shiwi (Zuni), Zia Pueblo, and Laguna Pueblo, have been using a time-tested agricultural method known as a waffle garden to successfully grow crops in the semi-arid environment for generations. In this activity student's will reflect upon and learn about Indigenous relationships with water and the land to help them understand diverse methods of using water in dry climates.
STEAM Activity
Action Project
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Out-of-school/Non-formal
We are Water with birds and a sun: connecting communities
Aerial view of a Waffle Garden which includes segments of gardens dedicated to different plants as well as roads
Un jardín de forma de wafle | Waffle Garden Take & Make Kit

This Take & Make Kit will help you understand ancient Indigenous agricultural techniques, including science and math skills that are still effective in modern times!

 La gente indígena del suroeste de los Estados Unidos, incluyendo los Diné (Navajo), A:shiwi (Zuni), Zia Pueblo y Laguna Pueblo, han utilizado durante generaciones un método agrícola de probada eficacia conocido como Un jardín de forma de wafle para cultivar con éxito en el entorno semiárido. En esta actividad, los estudiantes reflexionarán y aprenderán sobre las relaciones indígenas con el agua y la tierra para ayudarlos a comprender diversos métodos de uso del agua en climas secos.
STEAM Activity
Action Project
Elementary School
Middle School
High School
Out-of-school/Non-formal
We are Water with birds and a sun: connecting communities
Cartoon graphic of a young girl and boy with a magnifying glass and books and the text "BE A WATER HISTORIAN! Created for ages 13 and up"
Be a Water Historian Take & Make Kit

This Take & Make Kit will help you become a water historian so you can share recorded stories with people in your community and elsewhere in the Four Corners region through the We are Water project!

 Everyone has a story to tell. Recording stories from your family, friends, and people in your community is an important part of understanding history in your town. In this activity, students learn how to be a good interviewer so that they can help preserve amazing stories from their community!
eBook
Middle School
High School
University/College
Out-of-school/Non-formal
We are Water with birds and a sun: connecting communities
Cartoon graphic of a young girl and boy with a magnifying glass and books and the text "Sé un/a Historiador/a del Agua Creado para niños y adolescentes de 13 años en adelante"
Sé un/a Historiador/a del Agua | Be a Water Historian Take & Make Kit

This Take & Make Kit will help you become a water historian so you can share recorded stories with people in your community and elsewhere in the Four Corners region through the We are Water project!

 Toda persona tiene una historia que contar. Registrar las historias de tus familiares y amigos y las personas de tu comunidad es fundamental para conocer la historia de tu pueblo. Esta actividad le enseña a ser un/a buen/a entrevistador/a.
eBook
Middle School
High School
University/College
Out-of-school/Non-formal
We are Water with birds and a sun: connecting communities
Cartoon graphic of a young girl and boy with a magnifying glass and books and the text "TÓ DANIIDLĮ́ NILĮ́  BE A WATER HISTORIAN! Táá kwe’é nihi naalstoos bá hooghanígíí bił ndeelnish Created for ages 13 and up"
Tó daniidlį' nilį' | Be a Water Historian Take & Make Kit

This Take & Make Kit will help you become a water historian so you can share recorded stories with people in your community and elsewhere in the Four Corners region through the We are Water project!

 Everyone has a story to tell. Recording stories from your family, friends, and people in your community is an important part of understanding history in your town. In this activity, students learn how to be a good interviewer so that they can help preserve amazing stories from their community!
eBook
Middle School
High School
University/College
Out-of-school/Non-formal
We are Water with birds and a sun: connecting communities
Grand Canyon National Park with image of canyon with red and orange rocks, and a winding blue river, and some green trees in the foreground.
We are Water Kahoot Trivia - Expert Level

Answer some fun trivia questions about the science of water and the geography of the Four Corners Region! Pick a level where you want to start and see how far you can go!

 Challenge your students with expert level trivia from We are Water about the science of water and the geography of the Four Corners Region.
Game
Middle School
High School
University/College
Out-of-school/Non-formal
We are Water with birds and a sun: connecting communities
Illustration of two people high-fiving in a work environment

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