LESSON PLAN
WATERSHED WARRIORS
2025 | FOX River
3 CURRICULUMS
created for grade-specific learning
5 activities
that promote hands-on learning
free
educational resources for grades 3-12
Communities Healing Rivers
Rivers are Life films are excellent resources for learning about how to protect our world's rivers. These lesson plans are tailored to go along with the film Watershed Warriors. To make the largest educational impact with we created lesson plans that can be used in grades 3-12.
The lesson plans are available for educators to download for free. They include teacher guides, presentation materials, video questions, and various activities. The educational material is broken down into 3 lessons plans, each targeting a different grade range to ensure a compelling curriculum for students of all ages.
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Introduction
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Welcome
This lesson plan explores how various factors affect ecosystems & communities through activities, experiments, and solutions that inspire.
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Watershed Warriors
The Friends of the Fox River is dedicated to protecting the river and all living organisms affected by it. Through their work, the preservation of the locally beloved river has become a multi-generational campaign centered around hands-on education. Watch the film now.
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Grades 3-5
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Teacher Reference Document
This teacher reference document outlines the activities for the lesson and serves as a guide for planning and instruction.
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Pre-Documentary Mini Lesson
This mini-lesson slideshow is designed to prepare students for the documentary by introducing key concepts, sparking curiosity, and guiding discussion before viewing.
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Video Questions
These video questions are designed to guide students as they watch the film, helping them engage with key ideas, reflect on important themes, and connect the story to broader concepts.
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Mussels: Nature's Water Filter Creatures Activity
This activity helps students explore the amazing process mussels use to filter water through hands-on experiments and group discussions.
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Grades 6-8
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Teacher Document
This teacher document outlines the activities for the lesson and serves as a guide for planning and instruction.
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Pre-Documentary Mini Lesson
This mini-lesson slideshow is designed to prepare students for the documentary by introducing key concepts, sparking curiosity, and guiding discussion before viewing.
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Video Questions
These video questions are designed to guide students as they watch the film, helping them engage with key ideas, reflect on important themes, and connect the story to broader concepts.
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Make It Local
This activity helps students apply the lesson concepts to their own community by exploring their local waterways. It guides teachers in facilitating observations, discussions, and connections between the lesson and students’ surroundings.
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Mussels: Nature's Water Filter Creatures Activity
This activity helps students explore the amazing process mussels use to filter water through hands-on experiments and group discussions.
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Grades 9-12
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Teacher Document
This teacher document outlines the activities for the lesson and serves as a guide for planning and instruction.
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Video Questions
These video questions are designed to guide students as they watch film, helping them engage with key ideas, reflect on important themes, and connect the story to broader concepts.
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Make It Local
This activity helps students apply the lesson concepts to their own community by exploring their local waterways. It guides teachers in facilitating observations, discussions, and connections between the lesson and students’ surroundings.
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Mussels: Nature's Water Filter Creatures Activity
This activity helps students learn about the amazing process mussels use to filter water, conduct research, and explore how individuals and communities can create positive change.
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About the Film
Watershed Warriors tells the story of the people who deeply love the Fox River and their work to restore and protect it over generations.
Once declared the 7th most endangered river in the U.S., the Fox River has become a focal point for community education, conservation, and advocacy thanks to the efforts of Friends of the Fox River.
The film highlights leaders who have long cared for the river, and how they use hands-on education, monitoring, and community engagement to change both the river’s condition and the culture around river stewardship.
