Classroom Activity: Where in the World?

Wetlands are vitally important to people and wildlife around the world, yet they are disappearing at an alarming rate. Explore the global importance of wetlands in this interdisciplinary, multicultural activity.

| Materials | Preparation | Procedure | Evaluative Questions | Extensions |

Objective:

Students use geography and social studies skills to report on wetlands and cultures around the world.

Concept:

Wetlands are important to people of different cultures for many different uses.

Time:

One to three hours, plus research time.

Materials:

• World map mounted on a bulletin board
• string
• 5" x 7" index cards

Preparation:

Arrange library time and locate reference books to help students as they search for information.

Procedure:

1. Assign a continent to each pair of students. Students will work in cooperative groups to choose and report on a wetland within their assigned continent.
2. After completing their research, teams will record on an index card the following information about their chosen wetland: country, name of wetland, type of wetland, size of wetland (area), human uses, current threats.
3. Have students report on their wetland to the class. After a brief (five minutes) presentation, have them pin their cards to the bulletin board on either side of the map. Run a piece of string between each card and the location of the wetland on the large map.
4. If students can find pictures of their wetland in magazines or books, have them also mount these on the board.

Evaluative Questions:

Discuss the student reports as a class.

What is the most common human use of wetlands around the world?

What everyday products do we get from wetlands?

How are wetlands utilized differently by people living in different countries?

What is the value to humans of wetlands like Bosque del Apache NWR and WWT Welney?

Extensions:

• Community Action: Consider adopting a wetland area as a class. Record wildlife sightings, clean up litter and establish a bulletin board in your school or community to inform others of your activities. Initiate a campaign to help restore or protect the wetland. Work with your state's Fish and Wildlife Department or a local chapter of the National Audubon Society to enhance and restore a wetland, put up bird houses, etc.
• Repeat the Where in the World? activity for wetlands. Add to the classroom map wetlands of historic importance and their contributions to our modern culture. (Some suggestions: Nile River flood plain, Tigris-Euphrates confluence, Pantanal, Bengal Delta, Finland and Florida everglades.)
• What problems do wetlands create for human populations around the world? How do people of different cultures solve these problems?