Rainwater Runoff: Geometry Lesson
Lesson Plan
1 hour 40 minutesGradesK, 1, 2Social Studies, Mathematics, Visual and Performing Arts
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Written by Lisa Greenwood
About this lesson
In this lesson, students test water absorption to model runoff in urban areas, then imagine being a landscape architect and design a rain garden to mitigate flooding.
Inquire: Students share what they know about rainwater and where it goes after it rains.
Investigate: Students test the absorption of water on everyday surfaces and discuss how this relates to the problem of rainwater runoff.
Inspire: Students design a rain garden using geometric shapes and write about what they learned.
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Suggestions
- This lesson can be taught during a unit on geometry or in conjunction with studying weather.
- This lesson explores a green career and allows students to understand the role of a landscape architect.
- This lesson highlights the importance of having nature in cities and how simple green solutions can be effective.
- Suggested pacing: The Investigate and Inspire sections can each be taught over two days or shared between math and art classes.
Prerequisites
- Students should have a grade-appropriate understanding of shape names for this lesson.
- Before teaching this lesson, look through the rain garden design options and decide which best suits your students.
- Gather the following materials for the rain garden design project: construction paper, glue sticks, scissors, and printouts from the Student Document (optional).
- Gather the following materials for the experiment prior to the lesson: aluminum foil, cotton balls, construction paper, plastic sandwich bags, paper towels, wax paper, sponges, eye droppers, and plastic trays.
- Decide if you will print the images of rain gardens for students to look at in small groups, or if you will project the images from the Teacher Slideshow. Images for students to look at in groups can be found in the Student Document.
Differentiation
- As an extension, students can go on a walk to look for rain gardens in their neighborhood.
- If students are not familiar with the different states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas) when discussing the experiment, talk about the properties of water as a liquid.
- Students who need extra support creating their rain garden design can be given a reference image. Images of rain gardens can be found in the Student Document.
- When working with advanced students, allow them to cut squares and rectangles using the graph paper provided. They can count how many little squares fill each shape. (2.G.A.2)
- During the experiment, the whole class can observe as the materials are tested in front of them or under a document camera.
- In the Inspire section, students can write their responses on sticky notes and place them on a KWL class chart.
From the scientist review
Flash flooding is an increasingly severe threat under climate change, especially for urban landscapes. This lesson will help students understand what makes cities so vulnerable and actions that can be taken to mitigate the risk of flooding. This lesson has passed our scientific quality assessment.
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About the teacher writer
Lisa Greenwood
K-2 Teacher
Lisa Greenwood holds a Master's Degree in Childhood Education from CUNY Hunter College. She has nine years of experience teaching all subjects, including STEM, for grades K–5. Lisa holds New York State Professional Certificates in Childhood Education and Special Education.
