This is a dam in Iowa. When my husband showed me this picture I didn’t even realize at first that it was a dam. Very attractively done, in my opinion.
This got us talking about the pros and cons of dams. Dams prevent many problems, but they also cause many problems.
Authentic Learning – These ideas can be used at any grade level. With younger students there will be more group produced work.
Read: Gather and read information from several sources. (Good authentic lessons don’t rely on just one source…Why not?)
Write: Take notes about what you are reading.
Math: How many dams are in our country? Create a graph showing numbers for the last decade/century.
Geography: Where are they dams. Create a map. Do they tend to be in one part of the country or all over?
Science: What problems do they prevent and why? What problems do they cause and why? Write a report. Create a poster or tri-board. Write a pamphlet.
Opinion: What do you think? What should we do about current dams/future dams.
Really Authentic Learning: This research may take your students in another direction – water usage, water shortages, conservation…
