What do we realize when we compare the ratio of freshwater to saltwater on the planet

Water is essential to all living organisms. Freshwater is a limited resource. You may be surprised to learn the source freshwater and how much we have on the planet when compared proportionally to saltwater. If freshwater is a finite resource, how can we protect what we have?

The previous 2 learning experiences asked students to reflect on, and investigate how they use water every day and how we depend on water. In this learning experience, they will look at water as a finite resource. As a class, do a quick reflection about what they discovered about how they use and depend on water from days 2 and 3 using the following two prompts:

1) Is there an endless supply of water on the planet ?

2)  Thinking about the many ways water supports our lives, what can we do to show it more love?

Students will do two activities.

Activity 1: (Slide 4) Students watch a video that informs the students about the differences, sources, and proportions of freshwater and saltwater on the planet. You can view the  Video on YouTube.  Video is linked on slide 4.

Activity 2: (Slides 5-8) 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.

Students use the info they have from the graphs, and the video, and create their own creative representation to show how much fresh water/salt water there is on the planet. Write a caption about caring for water as a finite resource.

(Slide 9) 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.