Overview to each Level
This unit focuses on how seasonal changes affect water properties. Students will have an opportunity to explore the sensorial properties of water through guided discovery. Within the child's community, efforts have been made to explore seasonal uses of water. Selected reading materials will be included in each lesson. Frequently, the activities as the kindergarten level have been developed to complement, reinforce, and extend some of the activities presented at the previous level. Attempts have been made to address the importance of water quantity and quality in the northern Colorado region both historically and contemporarily. Recreation, agriculture, industry, municipal, and personal use of water is included where appropriate. The contributions of children with diverse backgrounds will be valued throughout the curriculum. Parent involvement is encouraged throughout the unit in extension activities to permit more in- depth investigation. A parent letter is also provided as an introduction to this unit.
One component of this unit will be to observe and monitor a puddle. For this purpose, suggested activities are provided in the Adopt a Puddle section.
LEVEL ONE
Students will have an opportunity to explore the properties and states of water through guided discovery within the close environment context (self, classroom, schoolyard and home). Selected reading materials will be included in each lesson. Frequently, the activities in level one have been developed to complement, reinforce, and extend some of the activities presented in previous levels. Attempts have been made to address the importance of water quantity and quality in the northern Colorado region both historically and contemporarily. Recreation, agriculture, industry, municipal, and personal use of water is included where appropriate. The contributions of children with diverse backgrounds will be valued throughout the curriculum. Parent involvement is encouraged throughout the unit in extension activities to permit more in-depth investigation. A parent letter is also provided as an introduction to this unit.
One component of this unit will be to observe and monitor a pond. For this purpose, suggested activities are provided in the Adopt- a-Pond section.
LEVEL TWO
Students will have an opportunity to explore the properties and states of water through guided discovery. Selected reading materials will be included in each lesson. Frequently, the activities in level two have been developed to complement, reinforce, and extend some of the activities presented in previous levels. The use of a student water journal is introduced at this level. Attempts have been made to address the importance of water quantity and quality in the northern Colorado region both historically and contemporarily. Recreational, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and personal use of water is included where appropriate. The contributions of children with diverse backgrounds will be valued throughout the curriculum. Parent involvement is encouraged throughout the unit through extension activities to permit more in-depth investigation. A parent letter is also provided as an introduction to this unit.
One component of this unit will be to observe and monitor a stream or irrigation ditch. For this purpose, suggested activities are provided in the Adopt-a-Ditch section.
LEVEL THREE
Students will have an opportunity to explore the water in the soil, surface and atmosphere ecosystems through guided discovery. They will be exploring the hydrologic cycle, key components of which include evaporation, condensation, precipitation, sublimation, deposition, and collection. Selected reading materials will be included in each lesson. Frequently, the activities in level three have been developed to complement, reinforce, and extend some of the activities presented in previous levels. Attempts have been made to address the importance of water quantity and quality in the northern Colorado region both historically an contemporarily. Recreation, agriculture, industry, municipal, and personal use of water is included where appropriate. The contributions of children with diverse backgrounds will be valued throughout the curriculum. Parent involvement is encourage throughout the unit in extension activities to permit more in-depth investigation. A parent letter is also provided as an introduction to this unit.
One component of this unit will be to observe and monitor a lake or reservoir. For this purpose, suggested activities are provided in the Adopt-A-Lake section.
Grade four materials will have key components of water uses by municipalities, industry, agriculture, wildlife, and recreation. In addition, the materials of this level will have an historical overview of different water users including Native Americans, explorers, trappers, miners, ranchers, and farmers.
A featured component of this level will be to observe and monitor a specific reservoir with a commitment to improving the reservoir system through a cooperative effort of collaboration with the owners. This activity is identified as Adopt-A-Reservoir.
LEVEL FIVE
Grade five materials are designed to focus on watersheds in the State of Colorado and specifically on the South Platte River Watershed. Emphasis is on the South Platte River area in Adams, Morgan, and Weld Counties. In addition, there will be a continued historical overview in relation to population centers, flood control, water diversion projects, and futures projections.
A featured component of this level will be to observe and monitor a specific watershed with a commitment to water quality improvement within the watershed. This will be accomplished through the ADOPT-A-WATERSHED and the continued collaborative interaction of the WATER BUDDY program established at level four.
LEVEL SIX
Grade six materials are designed to focus on river systems. Precipitation, topography, water storage, aquifers and wetlands are all components of river systems. In addition, agricultural irrigation systems and municipal water delivery and water treatment are important considerations of this level.
WATER BUDDIES will be an approach to sharing the ADOPT-A-RIVER program. Water quality and wise use will be the commitment of students actively involved at this level six.
Grade seven materials will have key components of water uses by supply systems and water movement. In addition, the materials of this level will have an historical overview of different water users, an emphasis on water careers and water safety.
A featured component of this level will be to observe and monitor a specific water system with a commitment to improving the water system through a cooperative effort. This activity is identified as Adopt-A-System.
LEVEL EIGHT
Grade eight materials will have key components of water conservation in groundwater. The focus is on better usage of groundwater. Both quantity and quality of groundwater is essential for increasing demands. In addition, the materials of this level will focus on water management by appropriation administered by Water Conservation Districts.
A featured component of this level will be to observe, monitor, and improve groundwater wells. The participants will commit to improving the groundwater and promote the value of groundwater to the community. This activity is identified as Adopt-A-Water Conservancy District.
Grade nine materials will have key components of water conservation. The focus is on supply and demand of available water. Competition for quantity and quality of water is essential with increasing demands. In addition, the materials of this level will focus on water choices and water legal systems and water courts.
A featured component of this level will be to observe, monitor, and improve water systems. The participants will commit to improving water choices based on public opinion and public action. This activity is identified as Adopt-A-Water Law.
LEVEL TEN
Grade ten materials will have key components of water conservation. The focus is on supply and demand of available water. Competition for quantity and quality of water is essential with increasing demands. In addition, the materials of this level will focus on watersheds, stream features and groundwater sampling and testing.
A featured component of this level will be to observe, monitor, and improve water systems. The participants will commit to improving water choices based on public opinion and public action. This activity is identified as Adopt-A-Water Storm Drain System.
LEVEL ELEVEN
Grade eleven materials will have key components of testing for groundwater quantity and water quality. The focus is on supply and demand of available groundwater. Competition for quantity and quality of water is essential with increasing demands. In addition, the materials of this level will focus on watersheds, stream features, sampling and testing groundwater systems.
A featured component of this level will be to observe, monitor, and improve groundwater systems. The participants will commit to improving water choices based on public opinion and public action. This activity is identified as Adopt-A-Community Water System.
LEVEL TWELVE
Grade twelve materials will have key components of wise water use. The focus is on supply and demand of available water. Competition for quantity and quality of water is essential with increasing demands. In addition, the materials of this level will focus on water quality, stream aquatics and water use problem simulation and water litigation.
A featured component of this level will be to observe, monitor, and improve water systems. The participants will commit to improving water choices based on public opinion and public action. This activity is identified as Adopt-A-Water Project System.