Today’s Walking Classroom podcast focuses on the Continental Divide, also known as the Great Divide. Any water that runs down to the west of the Continental Divide flows into the Pacific Ocean, and any water that runs down to the east of the Continental Divide flows into the Atlantic Ocean. The Continental Divide begins in Alaska, weaves through Canada, into the western part of the US, down through Central America and then into South America.
Character Value: Influence
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Common Core
L–Language | SL–Speaking and Listening | RI–Reading: Informational | RL–Reading: Literature | W–Writing | RH–6-8 Literacy in History/Social Studies | RST–6-8 Literacy in Science & Technical Subjects Elementary School:RI.3.1, RI.3.2, RI.3.3, SL.3.1, SL.3.4
RI.4.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, SL.4.1, SL.4.4
RI.5.1, RI.5.2, RI.5.3, SL.5.1, SL.5.4
Middle School:
RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.3, SL.6.1, SL.6.4
RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.3, SL.7.1, SL.7.4
RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.3, SL.8.1, SL.8.4
RST.6-8.4
Next Generation Science Standards
PS–Physical Science | LS–Life Science | ESS–Earth and Space Science | ETS–Engineering, Technology and the Application of Science Elementary School: 4-ESS2-1, 4-ESS2-2, 5-ESS2-1Middle School: MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS2-3
Supplemental Resource Links and Downloads
Quiz: (Make sure you're already logged into your Gmail account, then click to copy this Google form to your Google Drive. Quiz keys are here.)
Continental Divide Google Quiz
Slide Deck:
Continental Divide Slide Deck
Discusses freshwater and its importance on the earth.
Trace the Continental Divide and learn more about the cities along it with this interactive map from the Continental Divide Trail Coalition.
Trace a river from its source to its end in this cross-curricular activity from Arizona State University.
Test knowledge of the Continental Divide by unscrambling the words and phrases.
Make a model river and simulate water flow in this hands-on activity from Science Buddies.
See More Podcasts in Subject Area: Science
See More Themed Groupings that Contain this Podcast: Geology, Westward Ho