Who Killed the Colorado River? Video Guide | Questions | Grades 6–12 (NR – 2024)

Help grades 6–10 investigate why the Colorado River often fails to reach the sea and what real fixes look like. This ready‑to‑use worksheet turns the video “Who Killed the Colorado River?” into an engaging case study of five “suspects” (outdated water laws, dams/reservoirs, cities & canals, wetlands, and agriculture). Students practice evidence‑based reading, analyze cause‑and‑effect across systems, and weigh trade‑offs that connect directly to life in the Basin.

Content Rating | Parents/Teacher Guide

• Documentary‑style YouTube video; classroom‑safe
• Non‑graphic footage of dams, agriculture, and urban water systems
• Themes of law, equity, conservation, and cross‑border collaboration

What’s Included:

• Teacher Guide (PDF/Google Doc, editable, ~8 pages)
  • Lesson Planning Tips
  • Main Ideas & Themes Discussion Prompts
  • Answer Keys for Vocabulary, Short‑Answer, Reflection Questions
  • Standards Alignment (CCRA)
• Student Worksheet (Google Slides / PPTX, editable, ~24 slides)
  • 10 High-level Vocabulary Words in authentic dialogue
  • 6 Chronological Short‑Answer Questions for scene analysis
  • 5 End‑of‑Film Reflection & Challenge Questions for synthesis
• Bonus! Google Forms 20 Questions Multiple Choice Self-Grading Quiz

Skills Addressed:

• Reading informational text with evidence (R.1–R.3)
• Explaining systems with numbers/examples (R.7, W.2)
• Argument & solution‑building about real‑world tradeoffs (W.1)
• Academic vocabulary for science/civics (L.4, SL.1)

DISCLAIMER: This product is a worksheet and question set for the video “Who Killed the Colorado River?” and is independently compiled for educational use. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by PBS or any rights holders. Teachers are responsible for ensuring classroom use complies with local screening policies.