DocsTeach
Environmental Case Study: Hetch Hetchy Valley
What is more important: building a new school or preserving a nature reserve? Keeping a natural area clean or providing clean drinking water to a city of millions? Young scholars weigh these questions—almost literally—using an...
Curated OER
Water: Our Most Important Beverage
Third graders create a KWL chart about water. In this environmental science activity, 3rd graders demonstrate how much water on Earth is usable. They act out the different stages of the water cycle.
Curated OER
Who Owns Water
Learners role play how water is allocated to different holders of water rights. For this ecology lesson, students identify the different water rights available. They explore problems associated with water use including drought, degraded...
Curated OER
Water Contamination Challenge
Students play a game to analyze further the effects of water contamination. In this environmental concerns lesson, students play an online game about water contamination and may visit the additional links to further their studies on the...
Curated OER
Hemispheres: People and Place
Here is an astounding series of lessons, designed for high schoolers, on environmental policy. By studying water conservation in rural India, the role of the government, and the reaction of the people, learners begin to formulate...
Curated OER
Global Water Crisis
Assign ecologists one of five countries that struggle with access to clean water. They research the water crisis in that country and then present information to classmates. A handout was designed for each country, and a worksheet on...
US Environmental Protection Agency
Water, Now and Then
Students describe, orally or in writing, ways people have depended on water during different periods of history. This nearly 500 page document is rich with diverse lessons and activities that will transform your young learners into water...
Curated OER
Water: Access and Use
Students get a personal sense for another culture's way of doing things. Develop a list of sources for water. Practice using the scientific method. Examine means for conserving, or for generating, reliable sources of water.
Curated OER
The World's Water Woes
Students discuss their community's water sources and assess the factors affecting the water availability and quality. They research water disputes around the world and explain common factors among them.
Curated OER
Water: Where in the Watershed?
Students become connected to their watershed by exploring a local water body and mapping its features. They focus on how the local watershed fits into the larger scheme of the watershed.
Curated OER
Water Wars
Students investigate the water wars taking place in East Africa. For this global issues lesson, students watch video clips and read selected articles about the water shortages in East Africa. Students estimate their own average daily...
Curated OER
Shasta Dam: How High is Too High?
Research water use in California, environmental protection laws, and the proposition to raise Shasta Dam by 200 feet. Researchers use their findings to build an argument which will be presented at a mock decision panel. Groups then...
Curated OER
Water--Where Has It Gone?: Earth Day
Middle schoolers explore the concept of philanthropy. In this environmental stewardship lesson plan, students consider the plight of water as they consider water use and distribution. Middle schoolers listen to an excerpt from The Well...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Make a Difference!
We are very dependent upon other life forms around us to survive. Here, scholars explore relationships in the ecosystem with the help of Auntie Litter and the pollution patrol. They imagine a world without grass, making connections to...
Curated OER
Big Dam Construction in India
This complete and full resource includes everything needed to conduct a lesson on the environmental impact of large dams in India. Background information, handouts, answer keys, and web links are all there to help you educate your class...
Curated OER
Hazardous Chemicals? Not in my Water!
Students reflect on the effects of their actions on the environment. In this community service activity, students investigate the hazardous quality of products within their homes. Student educate their families and communities about the...
Curated OER
Let the River Run
Students explore the environment by reading a story in class. In this water formation instructional activity, students define environmental terms such as rivers, streams, gulf, oceans and lakes. Students read the story A River Ran Wild...
Curated OER
Water and Sanitation
Students examine water contamination problems. In this global studies lesson, students compare and contrast water sanitation issues on Malawi, Tanzania, and Ontario. Students propose solutions to the water sanitation problems.
Curated OER
Environmental Limitations
Seventh graders study the environmental factors that affect population growth. In this biology lesson, 7th graders create a city following certain criteria. They present their posters in class.
Curated OER
Running Water
Sixth graders create products that feature the importance of water conservation. In this environmental stewardship lesson, 6th graders explore the water cycle and conduct on water usage. Students also research water pollution and...
Curated OER
Water Resources and the Role of the Independent Sector
Students identify the need to maintain and protect our natural resources. In this natural resource lesson, students study pictures of the effects of pollution on animals and water. Students brainstorm a list of ways water is an...
Curated OER
Muddy Waters: A historical view of land use patterns, water quality, and the conservation movement
Students research the impact that human activity had on Pennsylvania's water supply over time. In this water quality lesson plan, students research, discuss, and write about how Pennsylvania's water quality has been affected and what...
Redefining Progress
Have and Have-Not
Is there a correlation between a country's wealth and the extent of its ecological footprint? What exactly constitutes an ecological footprint, and how does one country stack up against the rest? This is a unique lesson to incorporate...
National Geographic
World Waterworks Activity
As a way to quickly expose your science class to six different freshwater projects around the world, this lesson assigns each small group to research and share one. All of the information is gleaned from the website for CH2M HILL, a...