Lake Superior Game

Class Description:

In this activity students are asked to assume roles of individuals who use Lake Superior and to make action choices appropriate to these roles. As a result of their choices, some will be identified as water abusers. Through this game, students will experience decisions relating to pollution, values, and economics in a dynamic setting. They will also become familiar with water cycles and geography of Lake Superior.

Total Time: 1 1/2 hour
Audience: 6-20 students, 4th grade through adult
Activity Level: Easy
Site: Indoors, Room 7 or 11

Outcomes

Upon completion of the Lake Superior Game evening activity students will be able to:

List five sources of pollutants entering Lake Superior.

Understand the positions of stake holders using resources in and around L. Superior.

Form some of their own values about L. Superior.

Minnesota Graduation Standards

The Lake Superior Game evening activity will provide students with guided practice, in an authentic setting, to support the following Graduations Standards. We have chosen one to three “major focus” standards per grade level. Due to the holistic nature of environmental education, several other standards, not listed here, are addressed as well.

H.S. Inquiry 4.6: Issue Analysis, (proc. 3,5,6b)

8th People and Culture G8.1: Current Issue Analysis, (dec.1,2) (proc.1a)
8th Read, View, Listen G8.1: Non-fiction, (proc.1acde) (Teacher note 2,3)

5th Sciences G5.1; Living and Non-living Systems, (dec. 3,4) (proc. 4) (tn 3)
5th Read, View, Listen: G5.1: Literal Comprehension, (proc. 1abc,2) (tn 3)

Wolf Ridge Curriculum Concepts

• The earth is essentially a closed system.
• Humans and the environment are interrelated.
• Every component of nature forms a cycle and is in constant change.
• Humans have a great ability to alter natural systems, and a responsibility to consider the effects of our actions.

Classroom Connections*

• Journal page download
• Pre-visit activities
• Post-visit activities
• Links to Lake Superior information and activities on the web

*requires Wolf Ridge password