Water Resources Kit

Technology Resources for Use in Teaching Science

Technology Resources for the Water Resources kit - Grade 4
Without water, life on earth would end. In this module, students perform activities and view videos that look into this all-important substance. Students observe water as a liquid and a solid, investigate the phenomena of evaporation and condensation, and more.

1. Lesson Plans and Student Activities

Name of Lesson or Activity	Description
The Water Cycle	In this lesson, students build upon their previous investigations of water—and its different forms—by learning about the water cycle and its continuous flow around us. Students begin by reviewing what they already know about water and how it can freeze into ice or turn into a gas depending on how low or high temperatures become. They then learn about the water cycle and its key processes that affect our lands, oceans, and atmosphere. The ongoing need for fresh-water conservation is also highlighted.
Books About Water	This printable teacher sheet, from ReadWriteThink, provides a list of children's books about water, including bodies of water, the water cycle, weather, and more. Click "Display Full Record" and see the Relation field for a link to the lesson this reproducible supports.
Water, Water	In this lesson, students compare the amount of water they use in daily life with the amount allotted for each person each day on a Space Shuttle. They estimate and measure the heaviness of, and amount of space occupied by, a gallon of water. They collect, organize, graph, analyze, and interpret data from their investigations.
Pond Life - I	To investigate familiar and unfamiliar ecosystems using Internet resources; to explore how various organisms satisfy their needs within their environments; to study the kinds of relationships that exist between organisms within an environment.
Life in a Drop of Pond Water - II	This lesson is the second in a two-part series on microorganisms. It is designed to follow the first lesson, but it can also stand alone. To investigate the living creatures in a drop of pond water under magnification.
Living through a Drought	In this lesson, students will practice map-reading skills. Using a drought map of Afghanistan from National Geographic's Afghanistan: Land in Crisis site, students will learn how to recognize drought, where drought can occur, and how drought affects the people who live in those places.
Create a Wetland Scene	In this lesson, students will learn about the importance of wetlands. They will learn about the different types of freshwater wetlands, and the things that threaten their health. Finally, they will study specific examples of wetland areas of the U.S., and what is being done to protect them.
Oh, Give Me a Home	Just as humans need oxygen, food, and water, they also need shelter. This need for shelter is satisfied in a variety of ways. This lesson will explore ways in which the environment influences the design and construction of homes around the world.
Integrating Literacy into the Study of the Earth's Surface	Putting science trade books into the hands of children is an important step in the process of supporting science learning with literacy. This lesson introduces grade 3-5 students to the bodies of water on the Earth's surface, including ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans. The lesson incorporates the use of science trade books, read-alouds, and dialogue journals, and culminates in a comparative study of the different bodies of water performed in a Readers Theatre.
What Can We Learn from the Chesapeake Bay Watershed?	Using the Chesapeake Bay—the largest estuary in the United States—and its watershed as a model, this lesson will focus on identifying clues about the health of the environment and how human actions can affect environmental conditions. Students will use online tools and resources to examine the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the factors that affect it.
Water Treatment Cycle	This resource allows students to follow a drop of water from the source (in this case a lake) through the treatment process. The following four steps are highlighted: coagulation; sedimentation; filtration; and storage.
Rain, Ice, Steam: Using Reading to Support Inquiry About the Water Cycle	This unit of study allows students to discover the repetitive cycle of water. Read-alouds introduce the topic of rain and hands-on experiments and classroom centers teach students about the water cycle and how it functions. After exploring the different parts of the water cycle, students demonstrate the knowledge they have gained by working in groups to write and perform a play.
Water Wasters	This lesson plan is the basic outline of an activity that involves students using math in relation to investigating the world. Students are to work in groups to determine how much water is wasted if a person leaves the water running while brushing his or her teeth. The lesson recommends providing a toothbrush for one student in each group. While this student is brushing his or her teeth, the water is left running and the other two students work on collecting and tallying the running water by using empty milk cartons. Then, students are to use the data they have collected to solve various problems.
Water, Water Everywhere	In this lesson, students will identify water and land as examples of natural resources investigate sources of water and identify some ways in which humans make use of water as an economic resource, specifically for agriculture, transportation and recreation.

2. United Streaming Videos for Water Resources kit:

To access these videos:

a. Log into ASSET, www.asset.asu.edu
b. Click on the gray curriculum resources tab.
c. Click on unitedstreaming video
d. In the search field at the top of the page that opens, type in the title of the video and click GO.
e. Download in the correct format for your computer. You may download the entire video, or just the segments that you want.
f. Show video on your computer to small groups or via a projector to the whole class.

Title of Video	Total Time	# of Segments	Description
The Water Cycle	17:00	9	With the help of Luke Warm, a weatherman on the water channel, two young baseball players come to understand why the big game might be rained out as they are introduced to the key elements that make up and affect the water cycle. They discover the amazing process by which the Earth's water supply has been recycled over millions of years, centering on three stages: evaporation, condensation and precipitation. They follow the trail water takes after it falls from the sky and passes through each of these three stages.
Water Smart: The Sun, Water Cycle & Climate	15:01	8	The sun is presented as the source of energy for Earth, driving the water cycle. This program covers the fundamental phases of the water cycle but goes beyond precipitation, evaporation, and condensation. We recognize how plants assist in evaporation via transpiration. We also see how ice “evaporates” in the process of sublimation. Runoff is presented as a link between precipitation and evaporation as water flows into lakes and oceans. The heat capacity of oceans and large water bodies is shown to be a climate control, all at a level that kids comprehend. Excellent visuals and animations illustrate unique forms of condensation in dew and frost. Students become aware that the water cycle is far-reaching, never-ending, and crucial to life in plants and people. At the program conclusion a true/false quiz assesses students understanding.
Water Smart: Water as a Natural Resource	15:03	7	Take away water from Earth and what do you have? Not much! That’s the focus behind water as a Natural Resource. This program raises awareness to the value of clean water on Earth. Concepts of non-point source pollution and waste water are revealed to students. Kids see how the water cycle links and provides a life source for all creatures. We examine how wetlands, watersheds and ecosystems are affected by poor water quality. Different forms of water pollution are presented. Most importantly, a long list of examples is shown so that kids can take an active role in preserving good water quality and reducing water waste. A true/false quiz at the program conclusion provides instant measurement of learning.
Water Smart: Water in the Air	15:02	7	This water Smart program covers all of the fascinating forms of water in the air - from liquid to solid to vapor. Students learn that water does not just fall in the sky, it floats as clouds, surrounds us as humidity, and it freezes into ice crystals like snowflakes or chunks of ice like hail. We find that wind, created by the sun, moves water in the air worldwide and provides generally fresh water to locations distant from oceans and lakes. Dynamic time-lapse video shows water in action. water in the Air presents components of the water cycle that make our existence comfortable and possible. Student comprehension is tested with a true/false quiz at the conclusion of the program.
Water Smart: Water on Earth	15:02	10	The majority of Earth’s surface is covered with water but it’s mainly salt water. Through vivid video examples, kids gain awareness of varied types of bodies of water on our planet and how they are connected. We learn that water is not just liquid and it’s not always surface water. Different phases and properties of water are presented as students compare and contrast glaciers, ground water, wetlands, aquifers, lakes, estuaries, oceans and streams. The program ends with a true/false video quiz.
Oceans Alive: Deep Blue Sea	5:00	2	Water : It's clear. You can see through it. It has no color. Yet when you look at the ocean, you see many colors. Is the deep blue sea really blue?
Oceans Alive: Introduction to Ocean Life	5:00	2	When we see the earth from space, we see a world that is blue. Seventy percent of its surface is covered by water. Earth’s water, found in oceans, lakes, rivers, clouds, is vital to the survival of all living things. We now know that for us to live, our waters must remain healthy and clean—our oceans must remain alive.
Oceans Alive: Mollusks	5:00	2	Some can fly through the water like a jet plane. Some creep across the reef so slowly it's hard to see them move. And others live their lives cemented permanently in place. They're all mollusks.
Oceans Alive: Water, Water Everywhere?	5:00	2	When we view the Earth from space, it's easy to see that our home is covered with water. Yet why is water so important, and why is it so easily damaged, if there is water everywhere?
Weather Smart: The Water Cycle & Clouds	15:00	7	What role does the water cycle play in weather and in life? This program shows beautiful footage of clouds and the sky, and how water continuously changes phase. The basic cloud types are presented in vivid examples, along with many awesome colors that water makes in sunsets and rainbows. Students learn the fundamentals of condensation, evaporation, and precipitation, and how to recognize these phenomena in their environment. We see the various forms of precipitation and how they are related to seasons. Terms such as liquid, solid, vapor, moisture, and humidity are used in explaining how the water cycle is vital to life on Earth. Special attention is given to flood safety.
The Magic School Bus: Wet All Over	30:04	8	The class takes a wild ride with The Friz through the water cycle.
The Magic School Bus gets Swamped	24:04	7	Should Walkerville get rid of the swamp and replace it with a great new shopping mall or build the mall somewhere else? The class learns that the swamp is an important habitat and natural water filter, but the town council’s not convinced until...FLOOD!!
The Magic School Bus: Ups and Downs	24:04	9	Is there a monster living in Walkerville Lake? That’s what Ms. Frizzle’s class is trying to find out. The kids try to dive down under the water, but the bus won’t go. The class has to figure out how to turn their floater into a sinker so they can solve the mystery of the under water monster. Take a dive with the Magic School Bus, and learn why things float and sink.
Weathering & Erosion	20:00	7	The surface of the land has undergone many changes over its history. Water, rain, snow, and wind—they all continually shape and form the Earth. Take your students on a journey to discover how physical weathering, chemical weathering, and erosion occur. Learn that the destructive forces of erosion and weathering are slow processes that change the surface of the earth.

3. Earth Science websites for Water Resources kit:

Name of Site	Description
Drinking Water for Kids	This Environmental Protection Agency resource features a collection of information and activities for children on the subject of water and drinking water. The site has games, downloadable resources, experiments, and more. A list of activities, grouped by appropriate grade level (from K-12), is also included.
Where Does My Drinking Water Come From?	This page, from the Environmental Protection Agency, offers information about how people get their drinking water, the importance of drinking water, the water cycle and more. Click "Display Full Record" and see the Relation field for a link to the ReadWriteThink lesson in which this resource is referenced.
USGS: Water Science for Schools	This website provides information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge.
Make a Water Cycle Wheel	This resource, from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, features a very basic explanation of the water cycle. Users are also given printable materials and instructions for making a water cycle wheel.
Water: Kids' Stuff	This Web site, from the Environmental Protection Agency, provides projects, art, and experiments that inform students about water resources. This resource is highlighted in the EconEdLink lesson " Water, Water Everywhere."
KidsHealth: Why Drinking Water is the Way to Go	This page contains an article describing the benefits of drinking water. There is information about how the body needs water, as well as tips for staying hydrated. Within the article, there are links to further information and related topics. KidsHealth has hundreds of in-depth features, articles, animations, games, and resources for kids, teens, and parents.
Make a Water Clock	Make a water clock based on a Chinese design in this National Geographic WORLD Try This! activity.
USGS: Water Resources for Students & Teachers	Searchable educational materials for K-12 students, including maps and interactive websites
Project WET	The mission of Project WET is to reach children, parents, educators, and communities of the world with water education. We invite you to join us in educating children about the most precious resource on the planet – water.
Arizona Water Institute	A consortium of Arizona’s 3 universities focused on water sustainability through research, technical assistance, education, and technology
Water Use Educational Tools	Games, tips, simulations, and links promoting water conservation
Water Education Foundation	Fact and figures about water use and how to get involved to conserve water
Monroe County Water Authority	Directions for hands-on activities to help kids learn more about water.
Water Info for Kids	Information from Phoenix, AZ to help kids understand the unique needs of desert dwellers for water.

4. The following SmartBoard activities for use with the Smart Notebook software are available for the Water Resources kit at the Smarttech Education site.

a. Float or Sink
b. The Water Cycle
c. States of Matter
d. Water Resistance