Curriculum and Instructional Resources

Elementary Grades 3-5

2 Units (12 Learning Experiences) followed by an Action Project

These 2 Units provide an opportunity for upper elementary school teachers to connect students to the environment and one of the most fundamental elements of all living things – WATER. Together, teacher and student explore their role and responsibility to individually and collectively protect and sustain this shared resource for today, for tomorrow and for future generations.

Unit 1: We All Live in a Watershed

Learning Experiences 1-7 WHAT IS THE VALUE OF WATER ? Water is essential to our lives and all life on Earth– so it is important to take care of our water resources and we have an important role to play. The 7 learning experiences in this unit help students understand their relationship to water and their place in our shared watershed.

Unit 1 Learning Experiences

Unit 2: Philadelphia's Water Story

Learning Experiences 8-12 HOW DID WATER SHAPE OUR CITY AND THE CITY SHAPE OUR WATER? How did the growth of the city as a manufacturing powerhouse end up shaping waterways in new ways? In these 5 learning experiences, students explore how the urban water cycle was impacted and how Philadelphia innovated systems to ensure its citizens could rely on clean drinking water.

Unit 2 Learning Experiences