Investigation 4: What is the relationship between the water cycle and watershed and their role in ecosystems?

Lesson 4.1 How does water move through the water cycle?

  • In this lesson, students explore the water cycle by creating a water cycle model. Students discuss what is happening as water is moving through the water cycle using descriptive language for each phase or process. Students deepen their understanding of how energy as heat from the sun and matter in the form of water move through the natural system.
  • By understanding the water cycle, students can understand how energy and matter in the form of heat and water play a role in the overall health of an ecosystem.

Lesson 4.2 Where is the water in my local water cycle?

  • In this lesson, students explore how much water is on earth and available to us. Students describe places in the natural environment where water can be found, create a water cycle web, and describe how water moves to and from each place. Students then make connections to the places water is found in their local water cycle and how that looks different from the water cycle overall.
  • By understanding the local water cycle, students can understand how energy and matter in the form of heat and water play a role in the overall health of the local ecosystem.

Lesson 4.3 What is a watershed?

  • In this lesson, students will explore what a watershed is by creating a watershed model and observing how water moves through the watershed. Students define the parts of a watershed and think about how the different parts interact. Students then develop their own local watershed model and think about the relationships between their watershed and the local water cycle.
  • By understanding a watershed, students can make connections between the watershed system and the local water cycle system and how they play a role in the overall health of the local ecosystem.

Lesson 4.4 Santa Fe Watershed Field Trip

  • The My Water, My Watershed field trip program is for students to study and explore hands on in the upper watershed, learning about the complex relationships between living things and their environment. During a one-hour pre-visit in the classroom by SFWA staff, students are introduced to the geography of the Santa Fe River and learn about parts of the local watershed through hands-on activities. During the full-day field visit, students use their observation, questioning, and data collection skills to explore the ponderosa pine forest and the Santa Fe River. In the one-hour post-visit, students review their experiences in the watershed, the overall health of the watershed, and reflect upon the water we use in our schools, homes, and community, and explore ideas for water conservation.

Lesson 4.5 Is our watershed a healthy ecosystem?

  • In this lesson, students will interpret their data from the upper watershed in order to understand if the watershed area is a healthy ecosystem.
  • By understanding how to interpret and analyze their data, students will get a deeper understanding of the overall health of local ecosystems.

Student Science Journal

Investigation 4 Handouts and Resources