Big Idea
We can’t make new water on the planet!
Summary
Water is a wondrous thing!
Engage
Students will use the Think, Pair, Share practice to access prior knowledge and ideas they have about water.
First, they will think and write a response to the following questions:
1) What is water? 2) Who and what depends on water?
They will then share their response with a partner.
Finally, students will share their responses with the class.
Explore and Explain
Students will do two activities.
Activity 1: Students explore how models and graphs can help us understand how water is distributed on Earth. Use the slide deck to walk the students through each step of the activity.
Activity 2: Students watch a video to learn the basics about saltwater and freshwater. They will then create models and graphs that represent the distribution of saltwater and freshwater on Earth’s surface by following the directions on the provided handout.
Elaborate
Students will (re)define freshwater and identify the areas where freshwater exists in Philadelphia, then use a map of the city to infer where their own drinking water comes from.
Teacher Support
Essential Question:
What actions can we do to protect our land and water?
Guiding Questions:
Students will be able to:
Engage
– explain what water is, and the various states of water, in order to describe the vital role that water plays on Earth.
Explore and Explain
– create models and graphs to illustrate the distribution of water on Earth in order to recognize the importance of water stewardship.
– identify the Delaware & Schuylkill Rivers, as well as other rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and tributaries, in order to understand where their fresh water comes from.
Engage
Paper
Pencil
Explore & Explain
Hands-on materials — 1 set per student group:
- 1 large container or bowl
- 1 liter bottle of water
- 1 funnel
- 3 small cups, such as a paper dixie cup
- Tablespoon or centiliter spoon
- Colored pencils
Distribution noun
the way in which something is shared or spread
Salt water noun
naturally occurring water that is salty and is not suitable for drinking.
Fresh water noun
naturally occurring water that is not salty, and is suitable for drinking.
Prompt
In a detailed response, answer the questions: What is water? What depends on water? Be sure to include information discussed in class.
PA STEELS
Environmental Literacy and Sustainability
3.4.3-5.A Agricultural and Environmental Systems and Resources: Analyze how living organisms, including humans, affect the environment in which they live, and how their environment affects them.
3.4.3-5.F Environmental Literacy Skills: Critique ways that people depend on and change the environment.
Related Standards
NGSS
5-ESS2-2 Earth’s Systems – Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world.