The Day the Great Lakes Drained Away
on Goodreads (29)
What’s inside...
In this intriguing book, Charles Ferguson Barker explores the potential consequences of the Great Lakes being completely drained. Aimed at educating children about the importance of preserving and protecting the Great Lakes, the book takes readers on a journey to discover the hidden geologic features that would be revealed if the lakes were to disappear. Through engaging storytelling, the book emphasizes the significance of water rights and environmental protection, encouraging young readers to become future guardians of this vital natural resource.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would happen if the water from the Great Lakes disappeared? How would that affect the environment and the animals?
Why do you think the Great Lakes are important to the people and animals who live around them?
Can you imagine what it would be like to see the Great Lakes drained away? How would you feel?
What actions can we take to protect and preserve bodies of water like the Great Lakes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s illustrations and story to deepen their understanding and emotional connection.
Relate the story to real-world issues like environmental conservation to make the discussion more relevant and impactful.
Ask your child to draw or describe their own version of a landscape with a large body of water, discussing the importance of such ecosystems.
After reading, consider watching a documentary or visiting a local body of water to further explore themes discussed in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding natural phenomena
Explanation: The book creatively addresses the theory of what might happen if the Great Lakes were to suddenly drain away. It explains geological concepts and environmental consequences.
Real-World Application: Children can develop curiosity about Earth sciences and understand the importance of water bodies in our environment. They can observe local water sources and discuss their roles in the ecosystem.
Example Lesson: Importance of problem-solving
Explanation: The characters in the story come together to investigate why the Great Lakes are draining, demonstrating teamwork and problem-solving abilities.
Real-World Application: It encourages children to collaborate with others when faced with a problem and to seek creative solutions, skills that are applicable in school projects and daily challenges.
Example Lesson: Respect and care for nature
Explanation: The potential catastrophic effects depicted in the story highlight the necessity of respecting and preserving our natural resources.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of conservation and environmental stewardship, encouraging them to participate in activities like recycling, conserving water, and protecting wildlife.
Example Lesson: Impact of human activities on the environment
Explanation: The story indirectly hints at how human interventions can disrupt natural settings, though it’s framed within a fantastical scenario.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to be conscious of how their actions affect the environment and promotes responsible behaviors such as reducing plastic usage and conserving energy at home.