Problems with freshwater
Unit: Freshwater and Our World
Grade Level: 3rd
Unit EQ: What is the relationship between humans, freshwater, and the environment?
Lesson 5: Problems with freshwater
Lesson EQ: What are some of the freshwater-related problems people face, and what can be done about them?
MMSD Standard(s):
· Recognize and interpret how the common good can be strengthened by various forms of citizen action.
NCSS Standard(s):
· The study of people, places, and environments enables us to understand the relationship between human populations and the physical world.
· Through study of the dynamic relationships between individual rights and responsibilities, the needs of social groups, and concepts of a just society, learners
become more effective problem-solvers and decision-makers when addressing the persistent issues and social problems encountered in public life.
· People have wants that often exceed the limited resources available to them
Materials:
· Paper with each “country’s” water-related problem
Objectives:
· SWBAT consider some of the problems that affect the world’s freshwater supply, including pollution, water-related diseases, global warming (drought), and overuse.
· SWBAT propose ways that people can deal with these problems.
Lesson Opening:
· Tell the children that as leaders of different countries, they have been selected to attend the World Water Convention. During this convention, they will discuss
problems that their countries face. They will also discuss what can be done about the problems.
Procedure:
· Break the children into four groups. Each group will represent a (nameless) country.
· Hand each group a sheet of paper that outlines a particular water problem
· Have the groups discuss the following questions in their small group:
o How is their country’s problem related to the environment?
o How have humans helped cause this problem?
o How does this problem affect people?
o What can be done about this problem?
· After the groups discuss, bring the children back together in a large group. Have the children share information about their problem, as well as things that can be
done about it. Then the other country members will offer their input and suggestions as well.
Lesson Closing: Thank children for their participation in the World Water Convention. Tell them that they came up with some good ideas and that there is still much to be done so that all people have clean freshwater available to them.
Assessment: While the students are discussing their issues in the small and large group settings, look to see that they are able to make connections between human interactions, the environment, and the particular problem that their country faces. The children should take the problem seriously and should work to propose plausible solutions.
Grade Level: 3rd
Unit EQ: What is the relationship between humans, freshwater, and the environment?
Lesson 5: Problems with freshwater
Lesson EQ: What are some of the freshwater-related problems people face, and what can be done about them?
MMSD Standard(s):
· Recognize and interpret how the common good can be strengthened by various forms of citizen action.
NCSS Standard(s):
· The study of people, places, and environments enables us to understand the relationship between human populations and the physical world.
· Through study of the dynamic relationships between individual rights and responsibilities, the needs of social groups, and concepts of a just society, learners
become more effective problem-solvers and decision-makers when addressing the persistent issues and social problems encountered in public life.
· People have wants that often exceed the limited resources available to them
Materials:
· Paper with each “country’s” water-related problem
Objectives:
· SWBAT consider some of the problems that affect the world’s freshwater supply, including pollution, water-related diseases, global warming (drought), and overuse.
· SWBAT propose ways that people can deal with these problems.
Lesson Opening:
· Tell the children that as leaders of different countries, they have been selected to attend the World Water Convention. During this convention, they will discuss
problems that their countries face. They will also discuss what can be done about the problems.
Procedure:
· Break the children into four groups. Each group will represent a (nameless) country.
· Hand each group a sheet of paper that outlines a particular water problem
· Have the groups discuss the following questions in their small group:
o How is their country’s problem related to the environment?
o How have humans helped cause this problem?
o How does this problem affect people?
o What can be done about this problem?
· After the groups discuss, bring the children back together in a large group. Have the children share information about their problem, as well as things that can be
done about it. Then the other country members will offer their input and suggestions as well.
Lesson Closing: Thank children for their participation in the World Water Convention. Tell them that they came up with some good ideas and that there is still much to be done so that all people have clean freshwater available to them.
Assessment: While the students are discussing their issues in the small and large group settings, look to see that they are able to make connections between human interactions, the environment, and the particular problem that their country faces. The children should take the problem seriously and should work to propose plausible solutions.
Scenarios
Country 1: Your country’s water supply comes from surface water and groundwater. The problem is that your water sources are becoming increasingly polluted. Some of the industries in your country dump waste into rivers and lakes. When people grow plants (including grass in their yards), they use pesticides and fertilizers that seep into the soil and are washed into rivers and lakes.
Country 2: The vast majority of freshwater in your country is unsafe to drink. People are getting sick and dying from water-related diseases because they do not have access to clean water.
Country 3: Your country is experiencing a severe drought (lack of rain for a long period of time). People are unable to grow their crops and raise their livestock because they do not have enough water for the plants and animals. People are suffering because they do not have enough to eat or drink. The drought in your country is probably related to global warming. The global earth’s temperature is increasing because people have released too many harmful gases (such as carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is released when people burn coal and oil for when they drive cars, fly in airplanes, produce coal power, etc. Trees reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but people have cut down a lot of trees. Other countries around the world have released many more harmful gases than your country has, but you are suffering for it.
Country 4: So far, your country has not experienced much of a water shortage. To get access to clean freshwater, all people have to do in your country is turn on their faucets. The problem is that people in your country use much more water than they actually need. At the rate it is going, your country will face a severe water shortage in the coming years.
Country 1: Your country’s water supply comes from surface water and groundwater. The problem is that your water sources are becoming increasingly polluted. Some of the industries in your country dump waste into rivers and lakes. When people grow plants (including grass in their yards), they use pesticides and fertilizers that seep into the soil and are washed into rivers and lakes.
Country 2: The vast majority of freshwater in your country is unsafe to drink. People are getting sick and dying from water-related diseases because they do not have access to clean water.
Country 3: Your country is experiencing a severe drought (lack of rain for a long period of time). People are unable to grow their crops and raise their livestock because they do not have enough water for the plants and animals. People are suffering because they do not have enough to eat or drink. The drought in your country is probably related to global warming. The global earth’s temperature is increasing because people have released too many harmful gases (such as carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is released when people burn coal and oil for when they drive cars, fly in airplanes, produce coal power, etc. Trees reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, but people have cut down a lot of trees. Other countries around the world have released many more harmful gases than your country has, but you are suffering for it.
Country 4: So far, your country has not experienced much of a water shortage. To get access to clean freshwater, all people have to do in your country is turn on their faucets. The problem is that people in your country use much more water than they actually need. At the rate it is going, your country will face a severe water shortage in the coming years.
