Grand Rapids Revitalization Project
Provided by: Grand Valley State University|Published on: December 18, 2024
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Biology, Geography
Authors: Groundswell Stewardship Initiative
Region: Southwest Michigan
Languages: English
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- In this collection of six lessons and two extension activities, students will research the Grand River Revitalization and Restoration Project, understanding the positives and negatives associated with the project's proposals.
- Students will understand the impact of the project on the local economy, neighborhood access to the river, and native and non-native species populations.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- The range of activities allows students to practice a multitude of skills while learning about the Grand River Restoration Project.
- The activities are designed in a way that allows students to come to their own conclusions about the restoration project rather than telling them what to think.
Prerequisites
- In the overview document, the link for Grand Rapids Destination Asset Study 2016 under Resources is broken.
- The link for the Grand Rapids Bus Route Map in Lessons 1.3 and 1.4 is broken. Students will need to use the other maps provided.
- Teachers should note that clicking links or videos in the slideshow will open links within that tab, thus closing the slideshow. Teachers will need to right click and open the links in a different tab.
- Some of the activities require students to have internet access but also provide alternatives.
Differentiation & Implementation
- If students can't go to the Grand River and teachers want to use the story map, younger students or students with low reading stamina may benefit from seeing just a few excerpts of this story map and relevant pictures or videos, as reading the whole resource may overwhelm them.
- To engage the community, teachers can invite community members to serve as judges for student presentations in Activity 1.3.
- Students can make personal connections to the river by sharing their own experiences with recreation or businesses on the river.
- When discussing the impact of the dam on sturgeon and sea lamprey, students can incorporate what they know about climate change and how it impacts native and non-native species.
- Teachers can have students demonstrate their understanding of both the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Grand River Restoration and Revitalization Project by answering the question, "How will the Grand River Restoration and Revitalization Project address one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals? Provide evidence from the lessons to support your answer." If students are unfamiliar with the SDGs, teachers can find helpful resources using this guide.
This resource contains multiple lesson plans that explore the Grand River Revitalization & Restoration Project. In these lessons, students will learn about the river's history, economics, community access, and wildlife. Students will consider what benefits will come from revitalizing the river and understand how humans can impact the river and, therefore, the environment around them. Two lessons focus on two fish species in the river, one of which is a native species and the other an invasive species. Again, students will learn and discuss how humans and our activity can affect these species. The information presented is accurate, and this resource is recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
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