Technology-Connected Lesson Plan

Title: Disappearing Wetlands Grade Levels: Grades 8th - 12th Curriculum Areas:  Science Measurable Objectives:  TLW use online resources to gather information on Louisiana wetlands.  TLW use online resources to better understand the function of wetlands regarding storm surge and flood protection.  TLW create a publication highlighting how wetlands reduce storm surge and why wetlands need to be restored and protected. LA Content Standards:  {SCI.8.SE.50} Illustrate possible point and non-point source contributions to pollution and natural or human-induced pathways of a pollutant in an ecosystem  {SCI.11-12.SE.10} Ecological Systems and Interactions Analyze the effect of an invasive species on the biodiversity within ecosystems  {SCI.11-12.SE.8} Ecological Systems and Interactions Explain how species in an ecosystem interact and link in a complex web Technology Standards:  Technology Productivity Tools (Resource Access and Utilization Foundation Skill) Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity. Students use productivity tools to work collaboratively in developing technology-rich, authentic, student-centered products.  Technology Communication Tools (Communication Foundation Skill)  Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts and other audiences.  Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate and present information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.

1 Technology Connection:  Computer w/Internet Access  Video – “Hurricane on the Bayou”  Online Resources National Geographic Magazine – Gone with the Water http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature5/? fs=www3.nationalgeographic.com U.S. Geological Survey – LA Coastal Wetlands “Resource at Risk” http://marine.usgs.gov/fact- sheets/LAwetlands/lawetlands.html Science Magazine – Louisiana’s Vanishing Wetlands: Going, Going…. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/289/5486/1860 ?ck=nck Efforts to Rebuild Wetlands – NPR.org http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php? storyId=94377307  Microsoft Publisher and/or Microsoft PowerPoint Procedures:  Students will watch the video, “Hurricane on the Bayou.” During the video encourage students to take notes about the different types of wetlands (freshwater and saltwater marshes, and freshwater swamps). They should also include information about what plants and animals are covered in the video.  After the video, discuss the following; What plants and animals did students see in the film? Ask the students to think about the types of plants and animals that might live in these habitats. Review with students what adaptations different plants and animals have that help them live in either marshes or swamps.  Discuss with students that wetlands, like all ecosystems, are complicated natural systems. They perform some very important functions, such as filtering pollutants, reducing flood damage, and preventing soil erosion. Explain that the students will build their own models to demonstrate how wetlands protect areas from hurricane storm surges.  Discuss with students that most wetlands are shallow basins that collect water and slow its rate of flow. This slowing process helps reduce flooding and also helps prevent soil 2 erosion. In many coastal areas, wetlands are drained and filled in, and houses or marinas are built along the water. Without a wetland buffer, these developed areas are often subject to severe flooding and erosion, especially during violent storms.  Ask the following questions: - What would happen to habitat if it was hit by a storm surge with the wetlands in place? What happened to the soil/sand mixture along the edge of the land? - What would happen to habitat if it was hit bay a storm surge without any wetland protection? What happened to the habitat? What happened to the sand/soil mixture along the edge of the land? - Why is the storm surge reduced when wetlands are in place?  Students will use the following sites to gather further information on the wetlands in Louisiana. National Geographic Magazine – Gone with the Water http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0410/feature5/? fs=www3.nationalgeographic.com U.S. Geological Survey – LA Coastal Wetlands “Resource at Risk” http://marine.usgs.gov/fact- sheets/LAwetlands/lawetlands.html Science Magazine – Louisiana’s Vanishing Wetlands: Going, Going…. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/289/5486/1860 ?ck=nck Efforts to Rebuild Wetlands – NPR.org http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php? storyId=94377307  Students will use their research information to create posters or brochures using either Publisher or PowerPoint that explains how wetlands reduce storm surge. These projects should also include information on why wetlands need to be restored and protected. Additionally, students could create commercials (skits or video) with these same messages.  Allow students to share their publications with their classmates.

3 Materials:  Pencil and paper Assessment:  Completed posters and/or brochures on Louisiana wetlands Teacher’s Name:  Kathy Prine School:  C.M. Fagan