Lesson summary
Students investigate one of Australia’s most important and long running issues about how to best manage the Murray Darling Basin. Their research addresses the question ‘Food basket or basket case.’ They will need to find evidence that will indicate what the future holds for this region or provide a sound argument with references that there isn’t enough information to answer the question.
Learning intentions:
Students will...
- examine a controversial issue, seeing if the evidence available supports some of the proposed solutions
- distinguish between opinion and evidence
- extrapolate from past change in this region and predict future change depending on management strategies
- form their own opinions about future solutions for this region.
Lesson guides and printables
Lesson details
Curriculum mapping
Australian Curriculum content descriptions:
Year 9 Science:
- People can use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they should accept claims, explanations or predictions (ACSHE160)
- Critically analyse the validity of information in secondary sources and evaluate the approaches used to solve problems (ACSIS172)
Year 9 English:
- Use comprehension strategies to compare and contrast information within and between texts, identifying and analysing embedded perspectives, and evaluating supporting evidence (ACELY1754)
Year 10 Science:
- Global systems, including the carbon cycle, rely on interactions involving the biosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere (ACSSU189)
- People can use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they should accept claims, explanations or predictions (ACSHE194)
- Critically analyse the validity of information in secondary sources and evaluate the approaches used to solve problems (ACSIS206)
Year 10 English:
- Use comprehension strategies to compare and contrast information within and between texts, identifying and analysing embedded perspectives, and evaluating supporting evidence (ACELY1754)
Syllabus Outcomes: SC5-13ES, SC5-7WS, SC5-8WS, SC5-12ES, EN5-2A.
Resources required
- Computer equipment
- writing materials
- Internet access
Additional info
This is an original Cool.org lesson. Facts and figures in these lessons may have changed since this lesson was published. We always endeavour to update our resources in a timely manner, but if you see an error or issue in our resources please get in touch with us.
Welcome back!
Don't have an account yet?
Log in with:
By signing up to Cool.org you consent and agree to Cool's privacy policy to
store, manage and process your personal information. To read more, please see
our privacy policy here(Opens in new tab).
Create your free Cool.org account.
Many of our resources are free, with an option to upgrade to Cool+ for premium content.
Already have an account?
Sign up with:
By signing up to Cool.org you consent and agree to Cool's privacy policy to
store, manage and process your personal information. To read more, please see
our privacy policy here(Opens in new tab).