habitats healthy land equals healthy water...this teacher’s guide is to be used in conjunction...

Healthy Land Equals Healthy Water

Southwest Florida Water Management District

Balancing Water Needs … Protecting Natural Systems


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WelcometoHabitats!Thisteacher’sguideistobeusedinconjunctionwiththeHabitats Student Guide.Thepurposeoftheprogramistoeducatestudents,residentsandvisitorsabouthabitatsandlandresourcesandtoencourageprotectionofFlorida’snaturalresources. Habitats isforstudentsingrades6–8andcorrelatedtotheNextGenerationSunshineStateStandardsandtheCommonCoreStateStandards.Itincludesavarietyofinformation,questions,activities,gamesandwebsitestoexplore.Inaddition,wehaveincludedaHabitatsChallenge,whichcontainsitemssimilartothosestudentscouldexpecttofindontheFloridaComprehensiveAssessmentTest(FCAT). ManyotherfreematerialsareavailablefromtheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrict(SWFWMD)andcanbeorderedonlineatwww.WaterMatters.org/publications/.Wealsoofferwaterresourcesworkshopsforteachers.Foradditionalinformation,pleasecontacttheCommunicationsSectionofthePublicAffairsBureauat(352)796-7211or,inFlorida,at1-800-423-1476,ext.4757.VisitourwebsiteatWaterMatters.org.

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Unit1 ....................................................................... Page4

Unit2 ........................................................................... Page6

Unit3 ....................................................... Page9

Unit4 ................................................................................ Page12

Unit5 .................................................................................. Page15

Unit6 ............................................. Page18

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) does not discriminate on the basis of disability. This nondiscrimination policy involves every aspect of the District’s functions, including access to and participation in the District’s programs and activities. Anyone requiring reasonable accommodation as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the District’s Human Resources Bureau Chief, 2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604-6899; telephone (352) 796-7211 or 1-800-423-1476 (FL only), ext. 4702; TDD 1-800-231-6103 (FL only); or email [email protected].


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DuringthecourseofstudyingHabitats,yourstudentswilllearnabouthabitatsandtheimportantroleoflandresourcesinsouthwestFlorida.TheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrict(SWFWMD)istheregionalagencyresponsibleformanagingwaterresourcesandmaintainingabalancebetweenthewaterneedsofcurrentandfutureuserswithoutdamagingtheenvironment.Thefutureofournaturalresourcesdependsonallofusworkingtogethertoensurethatweareabletoliveinahealthyenvironment. Asateacher,youhaveaveryimportantroleinpreparingstudentstotakeontheresponsibilityofbeingstewardsofthelandandournaturalwaterresources.ByeducatingyourstudentsabouttheprotectionofFlorida’swater,youhelpensurethattheyareresponsiblecitizensactivelyinvolvedinmaintainingacleanandhealthyenvironment.Inturn,theywilltakeontheroleofpreparingthenextgenerationtocontinuethisimportantmission. ThefollowingtipsareprovidedtohelpyouguideyourstudentsthroughtheHabitats program.Besuretoreadtheentirebookletandteacher’sguideinpreparationforusewithyourstudents.

For Each Unit:

• ReadanddiscusswithyourstudentsthematerialpresentedintheHabitats Student Guide.

• HavestudentscompletetheCommunitiesactivitiesattheendofeachunitintheHabitats Student Guideanddiscusstheresults.

• MakecopiesoftheHabitatActivitiesfoundinthisteacher’sguide.

• DistributetheHabitatActivitiesandhavestudentscompletetheassignments.Answersareonpage20ofthisteacher’sguide.

Other Activities:

• Asaclass,reviewthevocabularylistedonpage13oftheHabitats Student Guide.

• Encouragestudentstolearnmoreabouthabitatsandournaturalresourcesbyreadingnewspapers,magazinesandbooksandbyusingtheInternettovisitwebsites.

• Havestudentscompletetheactivitiespresentedontheinsidecoverandpages8and11oftheHabitats Student Guide.Answersareonpage20ofthisteacher’sguide.

• MakecopiesandadministertheHabitatsChallengeonpages22–24ofthis teacher’sguide.


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Unit1

Habitat Activity: Boost Your Nature Vocabulary

Directions:Tohelpyoulearnmoreabouthabitatsandlandresources,itisimportantthatyoubecomefamiliarwithnewvocabulary.Sofar,youhavelearnedthatahabitatisaplacewhereaplantoranimalnaturallygrowsorlives.Youhavealsolearnedthatanecosystemisacommunityofplantsandanimalsthatnaturallygrowandlivetogether.Aspeciesreferstoaspecifickindofplantoranimal.Readthefollowingexamplesusingthesenaturewordsandselectthecorrectwordthatmatcheseachdescription.Writethewordontheblankline.Thenchallengeyourselfbyansweringthequestionsthatfollow.

habitat ecosystem species

________________ avarietyofpalmtrees,wadingbirds,insectsandothercreatures livinginaswamp

________________ amangrovetreethatgrowsinanestuary

________________ anopenland,shallowwaterofapond,oraswamp

________________ aFloridapantherthatlivesnearafreshwaterwetlandarea

Howwouldyoudescribethedifferencebetweenahabitatandanecosystem? ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Nameseveralspeciesthatyouthinkmaybeconsideredthreatenedorendangered. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ Describeafeweventsthatcouldcauseahabitattochange. ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________


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Unit1

Habitat Activity: My Home Community

Directions:It’stimetobecomemoreacquaintedwithyourneighborhoodecosystem!Measureanareaofapproximately20feetaroundtheoutsideofyourhomeandconsiderthisareayourcommunity.Studytheareaandrecordyourobservationsbelow.

My Home Community

Thepeoplewholivehereinclude ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

Theanimalsthatlivehereinclude ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

Theplantsthatlivehereinclude ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

Iwoulddescribethishabitatas ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________

Twoeventsthatcouldchangethequalityofmyhomecommunityare:

1.________________________________________________________________________________

2._______________________________________________________________________________

Twowaystoprotectthequalityofmyhomecommunityare:

1.________________________________________________________________________________

2.________________________________________________________________________________

Ithinkitisimportanttoprotectmyhomecommunitybecause ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________


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Unit2

Habitat Activity:Habitats Depend on the Hydrologic Cycle

Directions:Thehydrologiccycle,orwatercycle,isaprocessinwhichwaterrecyclesitselfoverandoveragain.Thesunservesastheenergysourcethatcauseswatertomovecontinuouslythroughseveralphases.Studythephasesdescribedonthechartbelow.Thenusetheinformationtolabelthedifferentphasesintheillustrationofthehydrologiccycle.

The Hydrologic Cycle

solarenergy energyprovidedbythesunforthenever-endingwatercycle

evaporation vaporcreatedwhenthesunheatswaterinlakes,streams, rivers,oceans,puddles,etc.

transpiration vaporcreatedwhenplants,treesandanimalsgiveoffmoisture

condensation tinydropletsofwaterformedwhenwatervaporrisesintothe airandcools

precipitation moisturereleasedfromcloudsintheformofrain,snow,hail,etc.

percolation downwardmovementofwaterthroughtheground

1

26

4

3

5


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Unit2

Habitat Activity: Name That Habitat

Directions:Inthisunityouhavelearnedaboutavarietyofwaterhabitats.Studythephotosanddefinitionsbelowofwaterhabitatsthatcanbefoundinourarea.Writethecorrectnameofthewaterhabitatundereachphoto.

EstuaryAnestuaryisapartiallyenclosedbodyofwaterformedwherefreshwaterfromriversandstreamsflowsintotheocean,mixingwithsaltyseawater.Manyanimalandplantspeciesreproduceinthisspecialkindofenvironment.

WetlandsWetlandsareareasoflandcoveredbywaterallorpartoftheyear.Theymaycontaineitherfreshorsaltwaterandprovidehabitatforavarietyofplantsandanimals.Wetlandshelpimproveourwaterquality,storewaterandprotectusfromfloods.

LakeAlakeisalargebodyoffreshwaterthatmaybenaturalorconstructedandissurroundedbyland.Theplantsthatgrowunderwaterprovidefoodfortheanimalsthatliveinthishabitat.

Now try to name a few plants and animals that may be found in each type of habitat described above.

wetlands estuary lake

Estuary

______________________

______________________

______________________

Wetlands

______________________

______________________

______________________

Lake

______________________

______________________

______________________


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Habitats: Healthy Lands Equals Healthy Water

TampaBay,SarasotaBayandCharlotteHarborarethelargestestuariesthatliewithinthegeographicalboundariesoftheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrict.Likeinotherestuaries,theyaretransitionalzonesbetweenfreshandsaltwater.Themarinelifeinanestuarymustadapttotheconstantchangesofwaterinordertosurvive.Trythisexperimenttolearnmoreaboutafewofthedifferencesbetweensaltwaterandfreshwatermeetsandgraduallymixeswithfreshwater.

Materials m twoclearplasticcups(10oz.) m twoslicesofrawpotato m salt m tablespoon m measuringcup m water m foodcoloring m knife m ruler

Activity 1. Measurethediameterofthetopofeachcup. 2. Cuttwo1-inchslicesofpotatothatwillfitin thecup. 3. Filleachcupwith8ouncesofwater. 4. Add3tablespoonsofsalttothefirstcup. 5. Addfoodcoloringtothewaterinthe secondcup. 6. Placeonesliceofpotatoineachcup. 7. Recordyourobservations. 8. Add2moretablespoonsofsalttothefirst cupandstir. 9. Recordyourobservations.10. Removethepotatofromthesecondcup.11. Veryslowly,poursomeofthecolored waterfromthesecondcupontopofthe potatointhefirstcup.12. Recordyourobservations.13. Gentlystirthewater.14. Recordyourobservations.15. Writeasummarydescribingwhatyou learnedbyconductingtheexperiment.

Brackish ObservationsRecord Steps Observations

Step No. 7

Step No. 9

Step No. 12

Step No. 14

Summary:


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Unit3

Habitat Activity: Meet a Few of Florida’s Symbols

Directions:

TheFloridaLegislaturehasadoptedmanystatesymbolstorepresentouruniqueenvironment.Readaboutafewofthembelow.Thencompletetheactivities.

State Tree: Sabal Palm

Thesabalpalmgrowsinallkindsofsoilsandmaybefoundthroughoutourstate.Youhavemostlikelyseenmanyofthemnearyourhome.ThesabalpalmwasanimportanttreeinearlyFloridahistory.Settlersusedthetreeforfoodandshelter.Youngbudsontheleaveswereusedforfood,thetrunkswereusedtobuildfortsandhomes,andtheleaveswereusedformakingroofs.Thesabalpalmisalsocalledthecabbagepalmorpalmetto.

State Flower: Orange Blossom

Theorangeblossomisoneofthemostfragrantflowers.ThewhiteflowersontheorangetreescanbeseenandsmelledduringorangeblossomtimethroughoutcentralandsouthFlorida.FloridaisthelargestproducerofcitrusfruitsintheUnitedStates.

State Marine Mammal:West Indian Manatee

Themanateeisanendangeredspeciesthatmaybefoundinbothfreshandsaltwater.Inwinter,manateesgatheratwarmfreshwaterareas,includingCrystalRiver,HomosassaRiver,TampaBayandFortMyers.TheyspendsummersinFlorida’scoastaloffshorehabitats.Theyeatawidevarietyofaquaticplants,includingseagrassesandmangroves.Themanateeisalsocalled“seacow”becauseitgrazesonaquaticplants.


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State Bird: Northern Mockingbird

ThisgrayandwhitemockingbirdlivesinFloridathroughouttheyear.Thenorthernmockingbirdhasareputationforsingingalot.Itisalsoconsideredanexpertatimitatingothercallsfrombirds.ItiseasytounderstandwhytheLatinnameformockingbirdmeans“mimicofmanytongues.”

Florida Symbol Quiz

TrueorFalse?TF 1. Themockingbirdisalsoknownastheseacow.TF 2. Manateescanbefoundinfreshwaterandsaltwater environments.TF 3. Earlysettlersusedthesabalpalmforfoodandshelter.TF 4. MockingbirdsspendonlywintersinFlorida.TF 5. ManateeinLatinmeans“mimicofmanytongues.”

Describetheimportantrolewaterplaysinthelivesofeachsymboldescribedabove.

ConductresearchtofindtwomoreFloridastatesymbols.Inwhatwaysdotheyrepresentourstate?


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Unit3

Habitat Activity: An Ecotourist’s Guide to Manners

Directions:EcotourismhasbecomeverypopularinFlorida.Insteadofvisitingtheusualtouristattractions,manypeoplewanttoexperiencenaturalareas.Floridaisfortunatetohavesuchawidevarietyofnaturalhabitatstoenjoy.Asyoutourafewofthewonderfulwildernessareas,pleaseremembertobeawelcomevisitorandmindyourecotourismmanners.Readthefollowingsimplerules.Discusswhyfollowingeachruleisimportantforprotectingthequalityoftheenvironment.Thenaddtwoofyourownrulesandtellwhytheyareimportant.

• Besuretostayonthetrails. • Avoidpickingtheplants. • Trytoremaingentleandcalm. • Neverteaseorpestertheanimals. • Alwaysleavethenaturalenvironment undisturbed.

Add two of your own rules below.

•__________________________________ •__________________________________

Nowimaginethatyouareinchargeofcreatingasignfortheentranceofanaturepark.Youwanttoencouragevisitorstoenjoytheirexperience,butyoualsowanttomakesuretheywillfollowtherules.Usethespacebelowtodevelopabriefmessageorsloganthatcouldbepostednexttotheentrance.


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Unit4

Habitat Activity: New Residents’ Environmental Fair

Directions:Youhavelearnedthatnaturalandhumanactivitiescanhaveanimpactonouraquatichabitats.Aspeoplecontinuetomovetoourstate,itisimportantthattheyappreciateandprotectourpreciousnaturalresources.Pretendthatanenvironmentalfairisgoingtobeheldfornewresidentsinyourneighborhood.Youhavebeenassignedtosetupahabitatsbooththathelpsnewresidentslearnmoreaboutenvironmentalissuesinthearea.Usetheformbelowtoplanyourbooth.Whenyoufinish,shareyourplanswithclassmates.DecidewhichboothscouldpossiblybecomepartofaREALenvironmentalfair!

Whatisthenameofyourbooth?

Whatisthemessageyouwanttoteach?

Whatmaterialswillyouneedtodevelopthebooth?

Howmuchwilltheboothcost?

Howlongdoyouthinkitwilltaketocreatethebooth?

Whatwillyourrolebeduringtheenvironmentalfair?

Whatwillvisitorsdoatyourbooth?

Willvisitorsreceiveanythingwhentheyvisit(pamphlets,posters,etc.)?

Howwillyouknowifyourboothissuccessful?


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Unit4

Habitat Activity: Create a Habitat Play

Directions:Usewhatyouhavelearnedabouthabitatstoteachothersabouttheimportanceofprotectingourwildlands.Writeashortscriptthatcouldbeusedtoperformaplayorpuppetshowforkids.Yourcharactersmightincludepeople,plantsoranimals.Usethefollowingplayaboutprotectingwetlandstogiveyouideasfordevelopingyourown.Youmaywanttoperformthisonetoo!

Why Do We Need Wetlands?

Opossum, Alligator and Snake

Opossum:ThismeetingoftheSouthwestFloridaBranchoftheRoyalOrderofFloridianAnimalsisnowinsession.SecretarySnake,willyoupleasecallroll.

Snake:Certainly.Opossum?

Opossum:Present.

Snake:Alligator?

Alligator:Present.

Snake:Frog?Frog?Frog?

Alligator:Um...Frogisabsent.

Snake:OK,then.Let’ssssee...Duck?Duck?Duck?

Alligator:Ah,Duckisn’thereeither.

Snake:Allright.Dragonfly,areyouhere?

Alligator:Actually,you’renotgoingtofindmanyofthewetlandcreaturesheretoday.

Opossum:Why,Alligator?Hastherebeenadisasterinthewetland?

Alligator:Well,yes.It’sawful!Yousee,lastweekthebulldozerscameandfilledinourwetland.Then,acoupleofdayslater,dozensofpeoplecameandbeganbuildingahotelforhumans.

Snake:Whythosehumansss...Ioughtabitethem!


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Alligator:Yousee,withoutawetlandenvironment,allofthewetlandcreatureshadtomoveoutandgoinsearchofnewwetlandhomes.

Opossum:Well,theydidn’thavetodothat.MybabyandIcould’vesharedourtreebranchwiththem.

Alligator:No,Opossum.Yousee,wetlandanimalsneedtoliveinareasoflandthatarefilledwithwatermostoftheyear.Ourwetlandfriendscan’tliveindryplacesliketrees.

Snake:OK,I’llorganizearebellion.Tomorroweveningwegoaroundandbiteeveryhumanwessssee!

Alligator:Snake,I’msadaboutthedestructionofthewetlandstoo,butthey’renotbeingdestroyedbecausethehumansaremean.Theyarejustthinkingabouttheirhotel—notus.Yousee,theydon’trealizehowimportantwetlandsaretousanimals.Evenscarier,theydon’trealizehowimportantwetlandsaretothem!

Opossum:Don’tbesilly!Wetlandsaren’timportanttohumans!

Alligator:Actually,theyareveryimportanttohumans.Asamatteroffact,they’resoimportant,they’resometimescalled“nature’skidneys.”Thisisbecausewetlandshelpfilteroutharmfulsubstancesfromrainwaterbeforethesubstancescandodamagetotheenvironment—justlikeourkidneysdoforus.

Snake:Butwhatdotheyhavetofilteroutfromrainwater?

Alligator:Greases,oilsandotherpollutantsthatarefoundonpavement.Yousee,whenrainwaterflowsoverroadsandparkinglots,itpicksuptheseharmfulsubstancesandcarriesthemintorivers,lakesandstreams.Thesoilsandplantsinawetlandhelpfilteroutmanyofthesepollutantsbeforetheyeverreachthesewaterbodies.Wetlandsalsoactasspongesandabsorbexcesswater.Thishelpsprotecthumansfromfloods.

Opossum:Waitaminute!I’veheardthattheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrictbuyslandandprotectsit.Dotheybuywetlands?

Alligator:Yes,theydo.Andasamatteroffact,thewatermanagementdistrictevenallowspeopletocanoe,walk,bikeandhikethroughtheselandssotheycanappreciatethewonderofwetlands.

Snake:Wow!Wetlandssssareveryimportanttoplantssss,animalssssANDhumanssss!Doyouthinkthesesssstudentscouldhelpusspreadthewonderfulwordofwetlandssss?

Opossum:OK,kids.Onthecountofthree,let’ssingthewetlandssong.

Alligator:[Tothetuneof“ThisLandIsMadeForYouandMe”]Thisswampisyourland,thisswampismyland.FromtheWeekiWacheetoCaptivaIsland.From(nameofschool)totheWithlacoochee.Thisswampwasmadeforyouandme!


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Unit5

Habitat Activity: Give the Birds a Helping Hand

Hereisyouropportunitytobeabirdwatcherandprovideawateringholeforthirstybirdsinyourneighborhood.Justlikealllivingcreatures,birdsneedclean,freshwaterinordertosurvive.WhenmigratingbirdslandinFlorida,theydeserveafreshdrinkofourhealthywater.Followtheinstructionsbelowandyouaresuretoattractavarietyofbirdspecies.Ifyouwanttolearnmoreaboutbirds,besuretovisittheAudubonSocietyatwww.audubon.org,whichalsoprovideslinkstoAudubonchaptersinFlorida.

Materials: • Ashallowconcreteorterra-cottadish

• Atreestumporsmalltableforholdingthedish

• Freshwater

• Abirdbookforidentifyingvisitors

Directions: 1. Setthedishafewfeetoffthegroundonastumporsmalltablenearabushthatisclose enoughtoprovidecoverandalandingplace.

2. Fillthedishwithcleanwater.

3. Ifatallpossible,keepcatsindoorsorlocateyourbirdfeederinaplacethatdoesnot providecoverforcatstowaitinambushforbirds.

4. Waitpatientlyandsoonthebirdswillarrive.

5. Useabirdbooktoidentifynewvisitors.

6. Remembertokeepthewatercleanifyouwantthebirdstoreturn.


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Observations:

Whatkindsofbirdsvisited?

Howlongdidtheystay?

Didyouseethesamebirdsreturn?Ifso,howoften?

Doyouthinkthequalityofthewaterinthebirdbathisbetterthanthewaterinapond?Why?

Whatotherobservationscanyoudescribe?


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Unit5

Habitat Activity: Controlled Burning Helps Habitats

Directions:Youhavelearnedinthisunitthatitisveryimportanttomanagelandeffectivelyinordertoprotectournaturalecosystems.Onewaytodothisisbycontrolledburningofasectionofland.Controlledburninghelpstomaintainplantandanimalcommunitiesandreducesthethreatofpropertydamagefromwildfires.Imaginethatyouarearadioannouncer.Thereisgoingtobeacontrolledburnsinyourlisteningarea.Writea30-secondradioannouncementthattellscitizensabouttheupcomingevent.Inadditiontolettingthemknowwhenandwheretheeventwilltakeplace,besuretoincludeadescriptionofacontrolledburnandexplainthebenefitsofthisactivitytoplantandanimalcommunities.YoumayalsoletyourlistenersknowthattheycanreceiveadditionalinformationaboutcontrolledburningbycontactingthePubicAffairsBureauoftheSouthwestFloridaWaterManagementDistrictat1-800-423-1476,ext.4757.

Titleofannouncement:_____________________________________________________________

Script:____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________


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Unit6

Habitat Activity: Be a Habitat Steward

Directions:Takethefollowingsurveytofindoutifyouarepracticinggoodstewardshipofournaturalresources.Foreachquestion,answerYesorNo.

YesNo

_____ ____ Doyoureadabouttheenvironmentinnewspapers,magazinesorbooks?

_____ ____ Doyouvisitnaturecenters?

_____ ____ Doyouvolunteertohelphabitatenvironmentsinyourcommunity?

_____ ____ Doyousharewithothershowhealthyhabitatshelpthewaterresources?

_____ ____ Doyoudoyourbesttoconservewaterandothernaturalresourcesin ordertokeephabitatscleanandhealthy?

HowmanyquestionsdidyouanswerYes?____

HowmanyquestionsdidyouanswerNo?____

IfyouansweredYestoallthequestions,youaretakingontheresponsibilityforprotectingourhabitatsandwaterresources.ForeachquestionthatyouansweredNo,describehowyoucouldimprovethesituation.Canyouthinkofotherquestionsthatcouldbeincludedinthissurvey?Remember,it’suptoallofustoprotectournaturalresources.

___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________


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Unit6

Habitat Activity: Become a Wildlife Reviewer

Directions:Becomeawildlifewebsitereviewer!Visitafewofthewebsiteslistedbelowandthencompletethereview.

LearnaboutthehabitsofpanthersbycheckingouttheFloridaPantherNetatwww.panther.state.fl.us

Learnaboutendangeredanimalsandmeetthepeoplewhoworktoprotectthematwww.thewildones.org

Findoutaboutprotectingmanateesbyvisitingwww.savethemanatee.org

Wildlife Website Review

Nameofwebsite:_____________________________________________________________________

Dateofvisit:__________________________________________________________________________Directions:Circleoneforeachquestion.A=Excellent,B=AboveAverage,C=Average,D=BelowAverage

A B C DWhatoverallgradewouldyougivethissite? A B C DWastheinformationpresentedinaninterestingway? A B C DDidyoulearnmoreabouthabitats?

Whatdidyoulikethemostaboutthissite?_______________________________________________Whatdidyouliketheleastaboutthissite?_______________________________________________

Whatdidyoulearnaboutwaterresourcesandtheirconnectiontowildlife? __________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________

Wouldyourecommendthissitetoafriend?______________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________Anyadditionalcomments?_____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________


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Unit 1: Habitats and EcosystemsHabitat Activity: Boost Your Nature VocabularyAnswers:ecosystem,species,habitat,speciesUnit 2: Florida’s Water HabitatsHabitat Activity: Habitats Depend on the Hydrologic CycleAnswers:1-evaporation,2-condensation,3-precipitation,4-transpiration,5-percolation, 6-solarenergyHabitat Activity: Name That Habitat Answers:wetlands,estuary,lakeHabitat Activity: A Brackish ExperimentBeforebeginningthisactivity,makesureyourstudentsunderstandtheconceptofbrackishwater.Studentsshoulddemonstratetheirunderstandingaboutthedensityofwater.Unit 3: What’s Connected to a Habitat?Habitat Activity: Meet a Few of Florida’s SymbolsAnswers:1-F,2-T,3-T,4-F,5-F

Habitats Quiz (see inside cover of Student Guide)

1.T 3.T 5.T 7.T 9.T2.F 4.F 6.T 8.F 10.F

Wetlands Concept Map (see page 8 of Student Guide)Answers may vary. Some acceptable responses are shown below.

Wetlands are found throughout Florida.Wetlands act as sponges.Water levels change in wetlands.Wetlands provide habitat for plants and animals.Wetlands are breeding and nursery areas.Wetlands need to be protected.Wetlands are natural water cleansers.Wetlands trap pollutants.Wetlands are always changing.

Habitat Crossword Puzzle (see page 11 of Student Guide)

1.manatee 5.choices 9.aquatic 13.marsh 17.drought2.erosion 6.estuary 10. wetland 14.wasteland 18.spring3.mangrove 7.soak 11. address 15.water 19.niche4.endangered 8.lake 12. contamination 16.replenish

Wetlan

ds tra

p poll

utants

.

Wetlands are found throughout Florida.

Wetlands

Wetlands act

as sponges.

Water levels change

in wetlands.W

etlands are naturalwater cleansers.

Wetlands need to

be protected.

Wetlands are breeding and nursery areas.

Wetlan

ds pr

ovide

habit

at

for pl

ants

and a

nimals

.


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(pages22–24)ItemsincludedintheHabitatsChallengearesimilartothosepresentedontheFloridaComprehensiveAssessmentTest(FCAT).

Answers to multiple-choice items: 1-b,2-d,3-c,4-a,5-b,6-d,7-b,8-b,9-a,10-d

Answers to extended-response items:

Question 1. Responseswillvary.Studentsshouldbeabletodemonstratean understandingofhowgovernmentagencies,privateorganizationsand businesseshelptoprotectnaturalareasasdescribedinUnit5.

Score 2 points if. . . Theresponseindicatesthatthestudenthasathoroughunderstanding ofhowgovernmentagencies,privateorganizationsandbusinesseshelp toprotectnaturalareasasdescribedinUnit5.

Score 1 point if. . . Theresponseindicatesthatthestudenthasapartialunderstandingof howgovernmentagencies,privateorganizationsandbusinesseshelpto protectnaturalareasasdescribedinUnit5.

Score 0 points if. . . Theresponseisinaccurate,confusedorirrelevant.

Question 2. Responseswillvary.Studentsshouldbeabletoassimilateinformation aboutanindividual’ssenseofownershipandresponsibilityregarding habitatprotection.

Score 2 points if. . . Theresponseindicatesthatthestudentwasabletocorrectlyassimilate informationaboutanindividual’ssenseofownershipandresponsibility regardinghabitatprotection.

Score 1 point if. . . Theresponseindicatesthatthestudentwasabletopartiallyassimilate informationaboutanindividual’ssenseofownershipandresponsibility regardinghabitatprotection.

Score 0 points if. . . Theresponseisinaccurate,confusedorirrelevant.


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Directions:Thisisyouropportunitytodemonstratewhatyouhavelearnedabouthabitats.ItisalsoanopportunityforyoutopracticeansweringquestionssimilartothosefoundontheFCAT.Doyourbestandmeetthechallenge!

For each multiple-choice item, select the best answer.

1. In this program, you have learned a lot about habitats. What is a habitat?

a. alivingcommunityofplantsandanimalsandtheirrelationshipwiththeenvironment aroundthem b. aplacewhereananimalorplantlives c. agroupofplantsoranimalsthataregeneticallysimilarandreproducewitheachother d. alloftheabove

2. Which of the following water habitats exist in our area?

a. estuaries b. lakes,pondsandwetlands c. riversandsprings d. alloftheabove

3. Which one below does NOT belong in a list of facts about wetlands?

a. Wetlandscancontaineitherfreshwaterorsaltwater. b. Wetlandshelptofilteroutpollutants. c. Wetlandsareareasthatarewetfortheentireyear. d. Wetlandsprovidehabitatforavarietyofplantsandanimals.

4. Florida is fortunate to have a high level of biological diversity, which is also known as biodiversity. What does this mean?

a. Floridahasanenvironmentthatsupportsawidevarietyofplantsandanimals. b. Floridahasashortgeologicpastwithnaturalfeaturesthatarefairlynew. c. Floridaismadeupofmainlydryareas. d. Floridahasanenvironmentthatsupportsonlyafewspeciesofplantsandanimals.

5. Exotic species do not occur naturally and can cause a lot of damage to wetlands. Which of the following is an example of an exotic species harmful in Florida?

a. Floridapanther b. melaleucatree c. gophertortoise d. alligator


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6. The Green Swamp is an important wetland area with four major rivers that begin here. What else is true about this area?

a. Itprovidesfloodprotectionandnaturaltreatmentofrunoffwater. b. Itsitsconsiderablylowerthansurroundinglands. c. Mostofthepreserveisopentothepublicforrecreationalactivities. d. Bothaandc.

7. Controlled burning may be used to manage sections of land. What is the purpose of this activity?

a. Toreducethepopulationofanimals. b. Tomaintaingoodwildlifehabitatandtopreventwildfiresfromdestroyinghomes. c. Todestroyallthetreesinanarea. d. Tomakecertainthathomeswillnotbebuiltinaparticulararea.

8. Choose the BEST reason for protecting the health and well-being of our habitats.

a. Sothatthequalityofhabitatscandecrease. b. Sothathabitatswillcontinuetoexist. c. Sothatthenumberofhabitatscanbereduced. d. Sothatfewerplantsandanimalswillexist.

9. Stewardship plays a very important role in protecting natural resources. What is stewardship?

a. asenseofownershipinandresponsibilityforourlandandnaturalresources b. anavoidanceofresponsibilityfortakingcareofournaturalresources c. asenseofownershipofacanoeorothertypeofboat d. asenseofresponsibilityforreducingournaturalresources

10. The future of our habitats depends on which of the following?

a. businesses b. farmers c. citizens d. alloftheabove


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Manypeopleareworkinghardtoprotectaquatichabitats.Describeafewwaysin whichgovernmentagencies,privateorganizationsandbusinessesarehelpingto preserveandrestorenaturalareas.

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Asastewardofyourcommunity,listseveralwaystohelpprotecthabitatsnearyour home.Also,explainhowhealthyhabitatsaffectthequalityofourwaterresources. SupportyouranswerwithdetailsandinformationyoulearnedfromHabitats.

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COM rev 12-2012


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Activities in Habitats Healthy Land Equals Healthy Water address the following Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for grades 6–8:

Common Core State Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects

Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies

Reading: Key Ideas and DetailsRST.6-8.2: Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the

text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science

SC.6.E.6.2: Recognize that there are a variety of different landforms on Earth’s surface such as coastlines, dunes, rivers, mountains, glaciers, deltas, and lakes and relate these landforms as they apply to Florida.

SC.6.N.3.3: Give several examples of scientific laws.SC.7.L.17.1: Explain and illustrate the roles of and relationships among producers, consumers, and

decomposers in the process of energy transfer in a food web.SC.7.L.17.2: Compare and contrast the relationships among organisms such asSC.7.L.17.3: Describe and investigate various limiting factors in the local ecosystem and their impact on

native populations, including food, shelter, water, space, disease, parasitism, predation, and nesting sites.

SC.8.L.18.3: Construct a scientific model of the carbon cycle to show how matter and energy are continuously transferred within and between organisms and their physical environment.

SC.8.L.18.4: Cite evidence that living systems follow the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy.

habitats healthy land equals healthy water...this teacher’s guide is to be used in conjunction...

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