This entertaining and playful video takes students on a journey with Nature Cat and his friends as they explore where streams begin and end.
The video can be shared directly to Google Classroom, and there are vocabulary and story element worksheets available in Spanish and English.
Teaching Tips
Positives
This video uses humor and engaging graphics to increase student interest as they learn about the stream.
Although the video is only in English, the supporting materials in Spanish can be useful for students learning English.
Additional Prerequisites
The first minute of this video is an introduction to the Nature Cat show.
It may be helpful to pre-teach vocabulary to some students, such as ocean, stream, snow, and river.
Be prepared to explain other sources of streams, such as springs or how streams can begin in warmer locations.
Differentiation
Consider pausing the video at certain points to have students participate in a turn-and-talk about questions such as "Where do you think the stream begins?" in order to activate prior knowledge.
Pause the video at 7:30 to explain Bunny's comment "It sure is colder up here" to ensure students understand the connection between elevation and temperature.
Consider using the story elements or vocabulary sheets provided to demonstrate understanding of new vocabulary or to map out the story elements.
To incorporate an art component, have students draw a diagram or picture showing where the stream begins and where it ends, including a mountain, stream, river, and ocean (including labels when appropriate).
After watching this video, allow students to use this game-like interactive map to follow a "raindrop" through waterways on a topographical map.
Scientist Notes
This is a cute video where a group of animal friends discover where streams start and end. It is simple, yet entertaining, upbeat, and engaging. Additionally, the video encourages curiosity about nature and the world in general. The information they present is accurate. A few worksheets are provided along with education standards. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS2: Earth's Systems
2-ESS2-2 Develop a model to represent the shapes and kinds of land and bodies of water in an area.
LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes
K-LS1-1 Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
2-LS4-1 Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
3-LS4-3 Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 1: Developing Questions and Planning Inquiries
D1.4.K-2 Make connections between supporting questions and compelling questions.
Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
Speaking & Listening (K-12)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.4 Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.2 Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.2 Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
