Growing Native Curriculum

The Growing Native Education Guide provides educators with practical, user-friendly lessons and stewardship activities that can be easily integrated into their existing curricula or programs. 

The lessons are correlated to the North American Association for Environmental Education Guidelines for Learning and state academic standards for state residing in the Potomac Basin. Additionally, lessons are presented in a clear and concise format with local background information. The guide also presents educators with additional resources specific to the Potomac River watershed so educators will have local information at their fingertips to enhance their programs.

This education guide stands apart from existing environmental education curricula because it is localized to the Potomac River watershed. This will nurture students' sense of place, allow them to be aware of pertinent issued to the health of the watershed, and aid students in becoming steward for their local environment. The Growing Native Education Guide is a valuable resource for teachers to engage their students in a meaningful watershed experience.

The guide is divided into four main sections: Each section includes lessons that are cross-discipline, interactive and in-depth targeting grades 4 through 8. Educators are encouraged to adapt the lessons to meet their age groups and subject matter.

Introduction

Section 1: Our Potomac River Watershed

• Lesson 1.1 Watershed 101 Students identify major physiographic regions and subwatersheds
  • Student Pages 1.1.1, 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4, 1.1.5, 1.1.6, 1.1.7, 1.1.8, 1.1.9, 1.1.10, 1.1.11
  • Teacher Pages 1.1.1, 1.1.2
• Lesson 1.2 Drawing Potomac Watershed Boundaries Students use maps to investigate the relationship between natural and physical boundaries
  • Student Pages 1.2.1, 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.2.4, 1.2.5, 1.2.6, 1.2.7, 1.2.8, 1.2.9, 1.2.10
  • Teacher Pages 1.2.1
• Lesson 1.3 Natural Resources & the Economy Students use research and presentation skills to learn about various natural resources in the watershed
  • Student Pages 1.3.1, 1.3.2, 1.3.3, 1.3.4, 1.3.5
  • Teacher Pages None
• Lesson 1.4 Balancing Recreation & Natural Resources Students hold a mock public meeting to identify recreations opportunities in the Potomac watershed
  • Student Pages 1.4.1, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 1.4.5
  • Teacher Pages None
• Lesson 1.5 Historical Snapshot of the Potomac River Students research historical sites in the watershed
  • Student Pages 1.5.1, 1.5.2, 1.5.3, 1.5.4, 1.5.5, 1.5.6, 1.5.7, 1.5.8, 1.5.9, 1.5.10, 1.5.11
  • Teacher Pages None

Section 2: Understanding Our Forests

• Lesson 2.1 Trees Inside Out Students investigate the basic anatomy of tree
  • Student Pages 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4, 2.1.5
  • Teacher Pages 2.1.1, 2.1.2
• Lesson 2.2 Tree Characteristics Students learn to recognize and identify trees
  • Student Pages 2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6
  • Teacher Pages 2.2.1
• Lesson 2.3 Healthy Trees, Healthy Forests Students investigate the basic anatomy of tree
  • Student Pages 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 2.3.3, 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.3.6, 2.3.7, 2.3.8, 2.3.9
  • Teacher Pages 2.3.1
• Lesson 2.4 Streamside Forests Link Land & Water Students learn about riparian forests
  • Student Pages 2.4.1, 2.4.2, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 2.4.5
  • Teacher Pages 2.4.1, 2.4.2, 2.4.3
• Lesson 2.5 Restoring our Native Forests Students learn the importance of a balanced ecosystem
  • Student Pages 2.5.1, 2.5.2, 2.5.3, 2.5.4
  • Teacher Pages 2.5.1, 2.5.2

Section 3: Improving Our Potomac's Water Quality

• Lesson 3.1 Water Is Life Students learn about the importance of fresh water to humans
  • Student Pages 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.1.3, 3.1,4, 3.1.5
  • Teacher Pages 3.1.1
• Lesson 3.2 We All Live Downstream Students investigate point source pollution
  • Student Pages 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.3, 3.2.4
  • Teacher Pages 3.2.1
• Lesson 3.3 Restoring the River Students investigate the effects of water pollution and dams on fish
  • Student Pages 3.3.1, 3.3.2, 3.3.3, 3.3.4 (deleted, see note below), 3.3.5, 3.3.6, 3.3.7, 3.3.8
  • Teacher Pages 3.3.1, 3.3.2 (note: this page was mislabeled in the print version as a student page for Section 3, Llesson 3, but is the teacher's guide for lesson 3, student page 5).
• Lesson 3.4 Cleaning Up Our Act Students learn about best management practices
  • Student Pages 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 3.4.3, 3.4.4, 3.4.5
  • Teacher Pages 3.4.1
• Lesson 3.5 Planning for a Healthy Potomac Students learn the importance of a balanced ecosystem
  • Student Pages 3.5.1, 3.5.2, 3.5.3, 3.5.4, 3.5.5, 3.5.6, 3.5.7
  • Teacher Pages 3.5.1

Section 4: Becoming Stewards of Our Environment

• Activity 1 Growing Native Seed Collection Lead your class in a seed collection activity
  • Handouts 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.3, 4.1.4, 4.1.5
• Activity 2 Establishing a Grow-Out Station Students can create a native tree nursery
  • Handouts 4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3
• Activity 3 Plant-A-Seed Provide students with relevant experiences related to their watershed
  • Handouts 4.3.1, 4.3.2, 4.3.3, 4.3.4, 4.3.5, 4.3.6, 4.3.7, 4.3.8, 4.3.9, 4.3.10, Notes

End Material

Creating the Growing Native Education Guide has been a collaborative process among Potomac Conservancy staff, formal and nonformal teachers, and state and local organizations within the Potomac Basin. In 2007, Potomac Conservancy will feature teacher workshops throughout the Potomac River Watershed to present the curriculum. Please contact the Growing Native Project Director coordinator@growingnative.org for more information.