River Cutters: Outline

 
Below is a summary outline of the steps of doing the investigation. While the River Cutters guide offers a summary of the project in the back, we found that having a handy outline of the actual investigation steps would have been very useful for us rather than having to constantly refer back to the guide. This outline specifically focuses on the first session of exploration and the fourth session regarding dams and toxic waste. We would recommend such an outline for all of the sessions.

Session 1: Getting ready: BEFORE the day of the activity

Steps to prepare diatomaceous earth (DE):

1. 12 cups of water in tub
2. Put on dust mask
3. 13 cups of DE
4. Mix till all is wet
5. Test consistency- tilt tub and pour extra water on “earth”, if water soaks in=need more DE, you want water to run off and collect at bottom of tilt

TEACHER- Self test

1. Prepare blue water
2. Set Slope- wood block under one end, hands firmly on both sides, bang down on table rested end  (about 5 times). (This is very loud.)
3. Remove block allow to settle
4. Set dripper system so that water will drip on top of slope
5. Sponge out excess water

·         Teachers could prepare slopes for students before class or carpet for noise control, though students  will need to know how to do this themselves for the projects during the rest of the unit.

Session 1: Class Time

1. Model how to use dripper system
2. Demonstrate how to re-slope
3. Have students form groups of 4-5 each
   
4. Appoint crew roles: Time keeper, Water watcher, Leader, Recorder etc.
5. Students are told not to interfere with water flow
6. Students do a 5 minute flow at 2 drips/second
7. Discussion, etc.
8. Show them how to collect excess water
9. Clean up

Session 4: Getting ready: BEFORE the day of the activity

• Can lengthen river running time from 5 minutes to 10 minutes, creates better features 

1. Cut acetate for dams 3X5”, p.50
2. Soak 4-6 cotton swabs, dry over night, cut in half                          

·         Can plant the swabs before class to have students “find” them surprisingly

Session 4: Day of Activity BEFORE class:

1. Set Slope- wood block under one end, hands firmly on both sides, bang down on table rested end  (about 5 times)
2. Remove block allow to settle
3. Set dripper system so that water will drip on top of slope
4. Sponge out excess water                                   

·         Have group discussions away from the river tubs to lessen distractions

Session 4: Class-time

1. Explain time frame for river runs (minutes to years)
2. Role addition: Leader becomes the Flag placer
3. Flags must be placed on sides of river and MUST NOT disrupt flow
4. Teacher circulates and monitors
5. End river flow
6. Introduce dam features, p.52-53
7. Introduce toxic swabs and drill methods, p.53

·         Explain 5 minutes = 50 years now…

 

STUDENTS

1. Students run rivers
2. Draw and write about changes and observations
3. Clean up