The Chesapeake Bay watershed
What is a Watershed?
Grades 3-5
You may have heard someone say, “Maryland is home to one of the greatest and largest watersheds in the United States, the Chesapeake Bay.” What does the term watershed mean? And why is it important to us? In this lesson, we will address the answers to these questions.
Teacher's Guide and Related Standards
I can define a watershed and explain its importance to us.
- What makes the Chesapeake Bay an estuary?
- Why are the Chesapeake Bay and watersheds important to us?
Video Clip
- What characteristics make the Chesapeake Bay so unique?
- Why is the Chesapeake Bay considered an estuary?
- Why are the Chesapeake Bay and watersheds important to us?
Vocabulary
Supplemental Enrichment Activities
Make Your Own Watershed Models
Students can develop their own watershed models using the provided directions and resources.
Students should review the activity from the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation. Have them discuss water pollution issues in Maryland, the ways farmers protect the water in the Chesapeake Bay, and the steps they can take at home to protect the water that flows into the Bay.
Have students go through the interactive and list characteristics of a watershed and its surrounding features.
Career Connections
