Water

Description

This comprehensive unit on water is organized by subject area. Each subject area then takes a multidisciplinary approach to a specific water theme. Together these activities build understanding that water is essential to all life.

Descriptions of the Activities:

Introduction- Water

Students read a passage that describes water as a natural resource and its role in metabolism and photosynthesis. Water's properties as a solid, gas and liquid are introduced along with the topics of ocean salinity and water pollution.

Science Activity 1 - Salt Water vs. Fresh Water

Students conduct two simple density/buoyancy experiments, and answer reflective questions. They then research and draw the Plimsoll Mark and conduct two experiments to compare the freezing, melting, and boiling point of salt vs. fresh water. Students will read a short passage about Ph levels and carry out experiments to classify salt and fresh water according to Ph. The unit concludes with a simple corrosion experiment to introduce Acid Rain.

Science Activity 2- Living With Polar Bears

Students read about the Polar Bear's habitat and complete an independent research and writing exercise on the factors effecting Polar Bear populations. Students then investigate causes and effects of climate change, make predictions about future impacts and discuss ways they can help by using less energy. The culminating activity is a board game in which students review what they have learned about polar bears and climate change.

Social Studies Activity 3- Mapping our Water

Students examine graphs and calculate percentages relating to the amount and distribution of fresh water. They use maps to investigate the location and availability of the earth's water resources. A study of the importance of Canada's surface waters, groundwater aquifers and wetlands as providers of fresh water is also included.

Social Studies Activity 4 - Drought

This unit explores how human activity impacts on the earth's ability to provide. Students examine a case study about the Dust Bowl Drought, research the farming practices that contributed to the situation and explore causes and effects of human migration. As a culminating activity, students act on what they have learned by designing an ideal town with particular attention being paid to meeting demands on water.

Language Arts Activity 5 - What You Learned

Students complete both short and long answer quizzes and prepare a class presentation on one of themes explored in the four activities.

Supplementary materials and links intended to extend and value student learning experience are included in the Water - Wild Ideas Section.

Question	Response
What skills does this resource explicitly teach?	Testing for ph. Classifying linear vs. cluster settlements.
What important, related ideas/issues are not addressed in this resource?	Acidification of the oceans means all life is in danger. The polar ice is melting at a much faster rate than previously predicted. Rising sea levels create new problems. Desertification continues to occur worldwide.
What important ideas are implied by the resource, but not taught explicitly?	Water is precious. Everything is connected. We need to protect the Polar Bear. Uneven renewable water distribution could mean future mass migration to places that have it: Brazil, Russia, Canada. Our behaviour must change to protect our greatest resource.
To enhance this resource the following changes would be beneficial:	Build in an action component using some of the suggested links or LSF's Project Flow Initiative. Consider supplementing paper and pen lessons with Socratic discussion and some student project ideas.

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Bias Minimization	Very Good	Makes young people aware of the conservation issues we face in our country and around the world.
Multiple Dimensions of Problems & Solutions	Very Good
Respects Complexity	Very Good
Action Experience	Poor/Not considered
Action Skills	Poor/Not considered
Empathy & Respect for Humans	Good	Cartooning the case study account of the black cloud must be accompanied by respect.
Personal Affinity with Earth	Good	Outdoor activities are not included
Locally-Focused	Very Good
Past, Present & Future	Very Good

Principle	Rating	Explanation
Open-Ended Instruction	Good	Guided inquiry with some open exploration.
Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Learning	Very Good
Discovery Learning	Poor/Not considered	The science experiments are strictly guided as are the 'read and do' activities.
Values Clarification	Mediocre	There is little opportunity for discussion.
Differentiated Instruction	Good	No suggestions or accomodations for those with learning difficulties are provided.
Experiential Learning	Mediocre
Cooperative Learning	Mediocre
Assessment & Evaluation	Good	Summative assessment is provided for all components.
Peer Teaching	Mediocre
Case Studies	Very Good
Locus of Control	Mediocre

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Alberta
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British Columbia
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Manitoba
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New Brunswick
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Newfoundland & Labrador
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Northwest Territories
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Nova Scotia
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Nunavut
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Ontario
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Prince Edward Island
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- Grade 7
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    - Reading and Viewing
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    - Patterns & Relations
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    - Interactions Within Ecosystems
- Grade 8
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    - Reading and Viewing
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    - Water Systems on Earth
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Quebec
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    - Reads and listens to written, spoken and media texts
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    - Writes a variety of genres for personal and social purposes
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    - Arithmetic and Algebra
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    - The Living World
Saskatchewan
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- Grade 6
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    - Compose and Create
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    - Mathematics 6 : Number
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    - Comprehend and Respond
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    - Mathematics 7: Patterns and Relations
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    - Compose & Create
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    - Mathematics 8 : Patterns and Relations
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    - Science 8: Water Systems on Earth
Yukon Territory
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- Grade 6
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    - Environment
- Grade 7
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    - Reading and Viewing
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    - Number
    - Patterns & Relations
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    - Ecosystems
- Grade 8
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    - Number
    - Patterns & Relations
  - Science
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    - Water Systems on Earth

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Water

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

A project of

with support from

Water

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Description

General Assessment

Sustainability Education Principles

Pedagogical Approaches

Relevant Curriculum Units

A project of

with support from