North Carolina Curriculum-Based Interdisciplinary Activities
For Students and Educators
Information About the Activities
The Troubled Waters Educators' Resource Web Site provides students with interdisciplinary activities presented in diverse formats, from research assignments and field trips to creative writing and role-playing. The activities engage the student in discovery-based experiences that build observation, interpretation, analysis and problem-solving skills. Each activity is packaged to include:
Concise overviews and instructions for teacher and student-directed interdisciplinary activities. You will find:
Additional Suggestions for Teaching
We suggest that students receive opportunities to understand Troubled Waters issues, research, perspectives and solutions through interdisciplinary, inquiry and problem-solving methods. Troubled Waters education is a combination of science and environmental studies, economics, sociology, technology, history, language arts and more. The study and understanding of Troubled Waters requires knowledge of natural systems, as well as municipal, political and human dynamics. Altogether, the subject matter is very complex.
Before beginning an activity, enlist the participation of the media specialist and librarian so that they can assemble the recommended materials on the Web site, as well as recommend additional resources for use.
Recruit speakers at least one week in advance. Assign the task to students so that they can enhance their phone communication abilities and develop organizational skills. Remember that this guide aims to promote hands-on, self-discovery experiences that empower students to construct their own knowledge.
Students may enjoy keeping a class journal of each activity and their reactions to the information and experiences they gain from them.
Your class or school may be interested in the design and development of your own Troubled Waters Web site to share curriculum experiences with other students throughout the Southeastern United States. Chat rooms can be set up in which students and teachers can "talk" to agencies, universities, organizations or other schools about their experiments, field studies, etc.