Acid Rain Lesson Plan

 

Purpose/Rationale:

 

The purpose of this lesson is for students to investigate different levels of pH in water sources following the 5-E learning model.  Afterwards students will mimic the effect of acid rain on an ecosystem, this will allow them explain the dependence of a clean water supply for an ecosystem. 

 

SOLs:

 

LS. 1  The student will plan and conduct investigations in which models are constructed             to illustrate and explain phenomena; variables are defined dependent variables, independent variables, and constants are identified; variables are controlled to test           hypotheses, and trials are repeated; continuous line graphs are constructed,        interpreted, and used to make predictions; interpretations from a set of data are evaluated and defended; and an understanding of the nature of science is      developed and reinforced.

LS.7     The student will investigate and understand that organisms within an ecosystem are dependent on one another and on nonliving components of the environment. Key concepts include complex relationships within terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

LS.10   The student will investigate and understand how organisms adapt to biotic and abiotic factors in an ecosystem. Key concepts include differences between ecosystems and biomes.

LS.12   The student will investigate and understand the relationships between ecosystem dynamics and human activity. Key concepts include population disturbances and factors that threaten or enhance species survival; and environmental issues (water supply, air quality, energy production, and waste management).

 

 

 

 

Materials and Resources:

 

Activity Sheet                                 Gloves                                Bottom of a milk jug

LabPro pH Probe                         Vinegar                                Dirt

Computer                                      Beakers                              Grass

Distilled water                              Chalk                                   

Rain water                                    Begonia                               

 

 

 

 

Safety:

 

Safety goggles and gloves must be worn at times when students are using vinegar.

Procedures:

 

Engage:

    1.     The teacher will engage the students in learning about pH by demonstrating the   discrepant event “Chalk Eating”.

   

Explore:

    2.     Students will explore differences in pH that may be found in rain water and acid             water. 

 

Explain:

    3.     Students will graph the change in pH of the rain water, distilled water or rain      water with vinegar added.  Students will share their results with the class by re-         creating their graph on the board and discussing their results.  Students will             discuss how the pH of water may have an effect on a landscape.

 

Elaborate:

    4.     Students will extend their understanding of pH of water and the environment by mimicking the affects of acid rain on a landscape.

 

Evaluate:

      5.   Students will provide the following evidence for understanding of acid rain/pH.

 

 

Performance Criteria

Evidence

Points

Students should explore and graph the pH difference between that of rain water and acid rain.

Completion of “Chalk Eating” and “Water pH portion of the activity sheet.

 

Students should explain the affects of acid rain on the environment.

Completion of “Acid Rain” portion of the activity sheet.

 

Students should discuss potential causes of acid rain.

Completion of “Acid Rain” portion of the activity sheet.

 

 

2 = completes activity and explanation without mistakes

1 = completes activity but offers incomplete explanation.

0 = does not complete activity or explanation