When a Town Runs Dry

Provided by: Global Oneness Project |Published on: November 24, 2021

Lesson Plans

9101112

Scientist Reviewed ↗

Synopsis

This short film from the Global Oneness Project shows how a fifteen-year drought has changed Stratford, a farming town in California.
The resource also includes a lesson plan that offers a variety of thought-provoking discussion questions and writing prompts that would be appropriate to use in science, English, and geography courses.

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Subjects: Science, Geography

Authors: Joris Debeij

Region: California

Languages: English

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Teaching Materials

Positives

The video shows how the drought has effected three Stratford residents: a white farmer, a Latino high school football coach, and an immigrant from Yemen who owns a grocery store.
Many elements of the lesson plan, though designed for high school students, are suitable for younger students.

Prerequisites

The lesson plan offers some background information on the California drought that should be shared with students prior to viewing the video.
The film was produced in 2016, but the drought has persisted in California.

Differentiation & Implementation

History and science classes can compare and contrast the Dust Bowl of the 1930s with the current drought in California. Students could research what caused the Dust Bowl and what measures were taken to restore the land.
Science classes can learn more about the important role of groundwater by reading this article from The National Environmental Education Foundation.
English and journalism classes can conduct interviews with people who grew up in the local community to find out how local climate and societal conditions have changed since they were children. Students could then bolster the information collected during the interviews with data about local climate change.
Other resources on this topic include this interactive unit on drought, this firsthand account of living through a drought in California, and this resource on how drought is connected to climate change.

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Resource Type and Format

About the Partner Provider

Global Oneness Project

The Global Oneness Project is a free multimedia platform offering multicultural stories and accompanying lesson plans as pedagogical tools to inspire growing minds. Their award-winning collection of films, photo essays, and articles explores cultural, social, and environmental issues from around the world with a humanistic lens. Aligned to National and Common Core Standards, their curriculum content contains an interdisciplinary approach to learning and facilitates the development of critical thinking, inquiry, and empathy.

Scientist Reviewed

This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.

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When a Town Runs Dry

Synopsis

Teaching Materials

About the Partner Provider

Scientist Reviewed

Related Teaching Resources