CORE QUESTION: How effective are dam/water control projects?
OVERVIEW: The value of dam/water control projects as opposed
to the impact on environmental/human/historic-archeological
issues. In this lesson students will conduct independent
and cooperative research and discuss the impact of The
Three Gorges Project.
TIME REQUIRED: A minimum of 3 80 minute block periods.
SUGGESTED GRADE LEVEL: Grades 9 - 12
INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS:
- English: Short story or journaling on the issue of relocation.
- Music: Songs of the TVA.
- Social Studies: Destruction of historic-archeological artifacts. Displacement of peoples.
- Environmental Science: Endangered species involved in dam projects.
NEW JERSEY CORE CONTENT STANDARDS: 6.9.8, 6.9.9
STRATEGIES
Day 1:
The class will be divided into the following roles:
- Geographer
- Environmentalist (one plants, one animals)
- Electronics Expert (Power Plants)
- Historian
- Local Resident
- Businessman who ships goods on the river
- Chinese govermental leader
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF) member
- Artist who paints the landscapes of the Three Gorges
Students can work either in groups or individually depending on the size of the class. Students will be required
to research and present background on their topic. They can use the links provided and do research on the Internet
and in texts. Each student (or group) should prepare a 2-3 minute introduction to their perspective on the
building of the dam on the Yangtze. In addition, each group should prepare a 3 page paper based on their research
which should include either visuals or charts to document their findings.
Day 2:
Students should use a variety of sources to gather information. They should have a bibliography to document sources.
Teachers can choose to require primary and/or secondary source materials as part of their bibliography.
Day 3:
Simulation: Each group or student should present their introductory remarks. Following the introductory remarks, each group
should have 3 minutes to rebut arguments. Following the rebuttal students can have a question and answer period.
For the last 10 minutes of the activity, students should reflect, in writing, on the nature of water projects
and their impact on the international environment.
Extension Activities:
If there is time students can compare the building of the dam at the Yangtze with the construction of other major dam projects:
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Aswan High Dam
MATERIALS:
Computers, CD Player, Library Resources, Internet, Books or Paintings Related to Yangtze River
REFERENCES:
ASSESSMENT: (See presentation and research rubrics.)
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