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When a Town Runs Dry

Secondary

Description

When A Town Runs Dry documents life in a small town in California's Central Valley. A farming community for over a hundred years, Stratford is suffering from a drought that is severely impacting the community, land, and residents' daily lives.

This film explores the drought through the eyes of three of the town's residents—a farmer, a shopkeeper, and a high school football coach. All three men prepare for an uncertain future.

A lesson plan to help focus a discussion on the economic, social and environmental causes and consequences of prolonged drought accompanies the video.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

When a Town Runs Dry may be viewed as a case study in the larger issue of climate change or as part of units of study that examine resource management or human environmental interaction. 

The film is powerful in that it puts a human face on the issue of drought, while the accompanying lesson plan helps students understand the wider implications of what is happening in this small town and how we are connected to their story. 

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

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  • Alberta
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        • Environmental Science 11:Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems
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        • Environmental Science 12: Human actions affect the quality of water and its ability to sustain life.
        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
        • Environmental Science 12: Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population
      • Science
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        • Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health
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        • Senior 2 Science: Weather Dynamics
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        • Advanced Environmental Science 120: Earth Systems
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        • Environmental Science 11:Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Human actions affect the quality of water and its ability to sustain life.
        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
        • Environmental Science 12: Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Specialized Science 12: Climate change impacts biodiversity and ecosystem health
      • Social Studies
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Urban Studies 12: Urban planning decisions and other government policies can dramatically affect the overall quality of life in cities

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Food & Agriculture (1)

  • Food Security

Land Use & Natural Resources (1)

  • Rural Issues

Water (1)

  • Water Cycle