Project Lakefront

Abstract

According to an article in the Smithsonian magazine, "Roughly 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by water, but less than four percent is covered by lakes." The fact that lake water seems more precious than gold is an idea that most of us don't comprehend. Through the teaching of this lesson, students will gain a better understanding of human use, impact, and relationship with lakes. This project is the examination of municipalities located on freshwater lakes. Specifically, this project will have students research the ways societies, cultures, economies, and governments interact with the lake and shoreline. This project will encompass all aspects of social studies, as well as work on skills like collaboration, research, opinion-based writing and supporting opinions with evidence. The project is broken up into four parts that deepen their knowledge and understanding as it goes on. At first introducing some examples of cities with lakefront, then some creative lessons in the middle to further the students interest and creativity in the topic, and finally ending with a student-led research project. This lesson was created to be a jumping-off point, meant for educators to make their own leaps of discovery and learning.