Wetlands Activities: Wetland Metaphors

Lesson 7

Unit:

Wetlands

Lesson:

Wetland Metaphors

Instructional Goal:

Students will metaphorically relate functions of wetlands to everyday life objects

Materials:

Pillow case, bag or box; at least one object for groups of four students; possible objects: sponge, small pillow, soap, eggbeater or mixer, small doll cradle, strainer, coffee filter, antacid tablets, cards with pictures of other objects you can think of

(a zoo could represent wildlife diversity; a vegetable garden could represent the abundance of food available; a resort could represent the idea of a resting place for migrating waterfowl)

TEKS:

2.2E,F 2.3A,B 2.10B

Procedure:

Review all that has been learned about wetlands, refer to word wall.

Bring out "Mystery Metaphor Container". Tell students the things in the container have something to do with a wetland. Divide them into groups of four. Each group will need a representative to draw an object, then as a group they must figure out how it could represent what a wetland does or is.

Have the designated student reach in and pull out an object. Each group works as a team to describe the relationships between their object and the wetland.

Each group will report to class.

Ask student to summarize the major roles that wetlands perform for wildlife habitat. List other ways wetlands are important to humans. Why do humans convert wetlands to other uses? Ask them to tell their feelings or attitudes about wetlands and other ecosystems now. Have they changed?

Respond in journals to the activity.

Assessment:

Have students list three reasons why wetlands are important and list some animals that spend part or all of their lives there.

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