Day 1

Science Framework: 5b

Social Studies Framework: 3a,d

Objective: The student will recognize the various rivers and tributaries related to the Pascagoula River and the regions in which they are located.

Materials: Mississippi Public Broadcasting documentary, The Singing River.

The Sun Herald newspaper series, Paradise in Peril, Part 1, A Priceless heritage, Stories: Behold a natural river; Treasure, UFOs and a river that can sing.

Legend of the Singing River (Adopted by the Pascagoula Kennel Club)

Map of the Pascagoula River (Teacher and Student Copy)

Procedures: The teacher will:

• Introduce the Pascagoula River unit by gaining the students attention with the Legend of the Singing River (provided).

• Discuss the location, description and relevance to the students

• Use the video to give a visual perspective for students.

• Discuss the waterways associated with the Mississippi watershed and the regions effected.
The students will:

• Listen to the Legend of the Singing River.

• Make personal connections to the Pascagoula River

• Watch the Mississippi Public Broadcasting documentary, The Singing River, on the Pascagoula River Basin (teacher may show those items needed for the day's lesson).

• Label the waterways of Mississippi and identify the regions effected by the Pascagoula River. (See map provided)

• Use map to label the rivers from the word bank and then list a region for each waterway.

Assessment: Teacher observation and class discussion. Grade map for completed waterways and regions and return with feedback.

Identify the region in which each waterway is located:

1. Okatibbee Creek

2. Chunky River

3. Chickasawhay River

4. Buckatunna

5. Leaf River

6. Okatoma Creek

7. Bowie River

8. Tallahala Creek

9. Black Creek

10. Red Creek

11. Pascagoula River

12. Escatawpa River

DAY 2

Language Arts: 13 a

Science Framework: 7b, 7c Social Studies Framework: 3c

Objective: The student will recognize endangered aquatic life associated with the Pascagoula River.

Materials: Mississippi Public Broadcasting documentary, The Singing River.

The Sun Herald newspaper series, Paradise in Peril, Part 1, A Priceless heritage, Stories: Behold, a natural river, Estuaries are the nursery for Gulf's seafood

Web Sites:

http://alabama.fws.gov/gs/sampling.html (Sturgeon identification)

http://www.parcplace.org/education/sparc/trip30.htm (Yellow blotched map turtle pictures)

Procedures:

The teacher will:

• Review the location, description and relevance to the students

•  Use the video to give a visual perspective for students.

• Discuss the process through which animals in the Pascagoula River may become extinct. The teacher will focus on the Gulf Sturgeon and the yellow blotched map turtle.

See websites for background information:

http://alabama.fws.gov/gs/sampling.html (Sturgeon identification)

http://www.parcplace.org/education/sparc/trip30.htm (Yellow blotched map turtle pictures)

The students will:

• Watch the Mississippi Public Broadcasting documentary, The Singing River (teacher may show those items needed for the day's lesson) and view website pictures.

• Create an endangered species poster drawing a picture of the endangered animal and listing three ways they could help prevent extinction.

Possible preventions: no littering, contact state representative for group clean-up, public awareness of problem, and assemble a group organization to help control the overgrowth of the river.

Assessment : Teacher observation and class discussion. Grade poster for the following criteria: picture and a minimum of three prevention techniques.

DAY 3

Language Arts: 1b, 5b

Science Framework: 7b, Social Studies Framework: 2d, 4b

Objective: Students will work in small groups to discuss environmental issues related to the Pascagoula River.

Materials:

Mississippi Public Broadcasting documentary, The Singing River.

The Sun Herald newspaper series, Paradise in Peril, Part 2, A River threatened, Stories: Industrial Drawdown how much is too much, Few counties regulate growth, Dispelling old stereotypes, Today's polluter has a thousand faces, Part 3, Preserving a treasure, Stories: - Preserving a treasure: As IP lands vanish.

Web Site: www.nature.org

Procedures:

The teacher will:

• Review previous material on the extinction of certain Pascagoula River animals.

• Use the video (provided) to give a visual perspective for students.

• Review the process of letter writing.

• Assist students when needed, encourage participation from each student.

• Mail letters to the Nature Conservancy office. Call 228-872-4273 (Sandi)

Alternate day activity: The Pascagoula River Basin Alliance representative Mr. Mengal will be happy to come and speak to your class on the Pascagoula River. His topics will include the importance of the river, aquatic life, use for migration, etc.
The student will:

• Watch the Mississippi Public Broadcasting documentary, The Singing River (teacher may show those items needed for the day's lesson).

• Share ideas with group members and compose a friendly letter to the Nature Conservancy (Ocean Springs office) to ask how students may become involved. Letter needs to be signed by all students in the group.

Assessment: Teacher observation of group activity. The group letter will be graded and returned with feedback.