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Colorado River Project1. The Colorado: Running near empty Video2. Map of major US rivers3. NPR Radio about Colorado River4. University of Arizona history of the Colorado River water rights - Great site for your research!6. National Geographic Maps: Allows you to design a map7. Colorado River Map
International River
Introduction:
This is a follow-up activity to the Colorado River project. In that activity we focused on the complex issues created when a significant river flows through seven states eventually reaching Mexico. In this activity our class will examine several rivers found outside North America that flow between two or more countries. You will be working in a group examining one of these rivers.
Your homework assignment: Each member of the group must come in with two articles about your river to share with your group. The next day in class we will work in our river groups and share/discuss the articles.
Information to be collected:
Length of river, where it originates, countries it flows through, significant tributaries, uses (commercial, agriculture, hydroelectric, etc.).
Emphasize the following:
Are there issues (disputes) between countries that share the river? Are any of these disputes about water usage?
Are there laws that govern water usage between the countries?
Describe the cultural and historical importance of the river.
What are the Parallels and differences between your river and the Colorado River?
End product: Our class will examine the critical and complex issues related to water usage along rivers that flow between countries.
Your group will lead a short discussion about the information you discovered about your international river. A map of your river will be projected on the smart board while you lead an informal discussion about your river.
15 points
Critical analysis of the river and its issues that is supported by pertinent details; evidence of analysis with reflection and insight and ability to make connections to the Colorado and to real world issues.
12 points
Some degree of critical analysis of the river and its issues. Some evidence of analysis but could have more insight. Not enough connection made to the Colorado or to real world issues.
9 points
Lots of facts about the river. Very little connection to the Colorado. Effort made but missing the global insight.
3 points
Very superficial understanding with discussion mostly presenting facts about the river with little insight or connections to real world issues.. Effort clearly missing.