Meet Minnesota Graduation Standards
through Service-Learning Projects

Link to multiple resources designed to help Minnesota teachers align water quality projects with Minnesota Graduation Standards.

Environmental Resource Guide (ERG) Resources
The ERG Nonpoint Source Pollution Prevention Curriculum was developed by the Tennessee Valley Authority with funding from the U.S. EPA. Order the Environmental Resource Guide (ERG). From the "environmentalshop.com" page, go to "Public Education." (NOTE: Order the "Nonpoint" curriculum, not the one on air quality.)

• Browse the Water Quality Curriculum grid to see which ERG activities best support each Graduation Standards Learning Area.
• Access a list of ERG activities with suggested modifications needed to meet specific Graduation Standards. Alignment of ERG with Minnesota Graduation Standards
• Training - The ERG is available free through workshops. (Twin Cities metro area only.) Contact: cairn@tc.umn.edu

Graduation Standards Assessment Tasks
All the assessment tasks listed below reside on-line at the Department of Children, Families & Learning Minnesota Electronic Curriculum Repository (MECR). Log in to the MECR site. Then, under desired Learning Area, go to the appropriate grade level, and look for the title you seek.

Assessment tasks may bundle together or stand alone.

Intermediate Level (Grades 4-5) Draft Tasks:

• Scientific Applications; Living & Non-Living Systems: "Water Quality Exploration" - Students diagram, model, and draw healthy ecosystems, then conduct biological, chemical, and physical tests of water quality.
• Inquiry, Media; Observation & Investigation: "Water Quality Field Research" - Students investigate the health of area waterbodies through models, field observations, and interviews. Student report findings to the public.
• People and Cultures (Social Studies); Geography and Citizenship (Partial): "Water Quality Service Project" - Students plan and organize service-learning projects to protect their watershed.
• (Write and Speak; Writing; and Speaking): Notes to adapt existing Minnesota Electronic Curriculum Repository Assessment Tasks to focus on water quality protection.

Middle Level (Grades 6-8) Draft Tasks:

• Inquiry (Research Skills); Direct Observation: "Water Quality Reconnaissance" - Students research how people's actions affect the health of area waterbodies. Methods may include surveys, interviews, and on-site observation.
• Inquiry (Research Skills); Accessing Information: "Gathering Useful Water Quality Information" - Students use electronic, printed, and human resources to research questions related to water quality protection.
• Inquiry (Research Skills); Controlled Experiments: "Water Quality Investigation" - Students set up experimental designs to test hypotheses about the health of area waterbodies. Students collect and process chemical, biological, or physical samples.

Brought to You By... Resources listed on this page developed with funding from the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council, Environmental Services. The Design Team:

• Jan Hatle, Elementary School Teacher, Bloomington Public Schools (Retired)
• Rich Cairn, Watershed Resources Youth Stewardship Project
• Susan Cairn, Watershed Resources Youth Stewardship Project
• Teachers of the Minnehaha Creek, Rice Creek, and Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed Districts

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