This downloadable and printable map shows students the rivers and lakes throughout the state of Oregon.
Students viewing the map will learn the names of important rivers and lakes and see how topography affects where lakes form and where rivers flow.
Teaching Tips
Positives
The article following the map uses primarily every-day language, making it easier for students to read independently.
There are other map options easily available for further geographical study of Oregon.
Additional Prerequisites
Students should know how to read a map and understand that there are different types of maps, including political, physical, etc.
Multilingual learners may need the terms river and lake defined prior to viewing the map.
Differentiation
Students can talk about the importance of rivers and lakes in creating habitats for animals, and then the importance of preserving habitats to maintain biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions.
Science students can discuss where the lake and river water comes from, what regulates the water storage and release, and the impacts that climate change could have on these rivers and lakes.
Students can choose a river or lake to do a closer study. Students can make their own map, create a replica of the habitat it provides, or make a map of important ecosystem services provided by their lake or river.
Younger students can have a printed version of the map and color it in, then have a discussion about the importance of water.
Students can use the map to locate and possibly visit a lake or river near their school or home.
Scientist Notes
This is a map showing the notable lakes and rivers in Oregon. This resource is recommended for teaching.
Standards
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
ESS2: Earth's Systems
4-ESS2-1 Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.
College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Standards
Dimension 2: Geography
D2.Geo.2.3-5 Use maps, satellite images, photographs, and other representations to explain relationships between the locations of places and regions and their environmental characteristics.