Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Using Water Chemistry as an Indicator of Stream Health

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Will this water source support life? Small groups test the chemistry of the water drawn from two different sources. They then compare the collected data to acceptable levels to draw conclusions about the health of the source. The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water in Earth's Hydrosphere

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Environmentalists test stream water for temperature, pH, and turbidity. Each group shares their information and then the class makes an overall evaluation of the water quality. A slide show sets the backdrop for the teaching portion and...
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Water Quantity

For Teachers 4th - 8th
It may be tricky for a young mind to conceptualize that less than 1% of all water on earth is useable for humans to drink. Simulating the amount of fresh water available on earth by removing measured amounts of water from a five-gallon...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where's the Water? Stream Side Science

For Teachers 6th - 9th
After a whole-class discussion of water reservoirs, ten liters of water are given to each lab group to represent Earth's total amount of water. They divide the water into smaller containers, each representing one of those reservoirs. The...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rivers and Streams

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
In this rivers and streams worksheet, young scholars explore how rivers and streams react with the environment. Students also study where the major rivers flow in their local areas. Activities are provided that help young scholars...
Lesson Plan
Polar Trec

Where is the World's Water?

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
Scholars discover the amount of the Earth's water in various locations such as the ocean, ice, the atmosphere, etc. They then make a model of the how much water those percentages represent. Finally, analysis questions bring the concepts...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

TE Lesson: How Clean is that Water?

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the factors the affect water quality, and allow for animals and plants to live. They look at how engineers apply water quality information when making stream modifications in order to ensure drinking water quality. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Is Our Water Healthy?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students test water for a least one chemical characteristic. They hypothesize how a storm event might change the chemical characteristics of a stream. Students collect water samples and use the chemical test to test the water.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dream Stream

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Investigate the parts of a healthy stream to build content-specific vocabulary and ecological awareness. The class builds vocabulary and determines why clean water is important for trout. They design a shoe box to show what a clean...
Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Determining Stream Health by the Diversity and Types of Benthic Organisms

For Teachers 8th - 12th
How diverse are the benthic organisms found in local streams? Using the information learned in previous lessons on identification of macroinvertebrates and on calculating stream index values, groups determine the health of local...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Great Water Hunt

For Teachers K
Students examine a globe to locate the bodies of water present and create a representation of those bodies of water for further exploration of the concept. Extensions of their observations are made at school, home, and the community.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Surface Water and Groundwater

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students examine distribution of water and minerals. In this surface and groundwater instructional activity, students conduct an experiment with fresh and salt water making hypothesis and drawing conclusions about minerals. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Dancing in the Water?

For Teachers K - 6th
Students learn about watershed, as well as the different forms and uses of water. In this water forms lesson, students brainstorm water sources and uses. Students read the book Water Dance and discuss water examples. Students complete a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Freshwater Fish Water Quality

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders work together to complete an experiment about the quality of freshwater. In groups, they collect fresh water samples from a variety of sources and test the pH levels. After completing a KWL chart, they test the amout of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Air and Water in the Environment

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore the traits of water condensation and evaporation. In this water cycle lesson plan, students develop an awareness of the importance of water for sustaining life. Students participate in a hands-on activity in which water...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle and Sources of Pollution

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students make an island that has a construction site on it. They spill siulated pollution and trash on top of the island and then water it to simulate rain. They will observe how the rain washes dirt, sand, and pollution off the island...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

WebQuest: Water, Sanitation & Health

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine water issues in Africa. In this global issues lesson, students complete a webquest that requires them gather information. Learners use the information to prepare for a World Water Summit simulation.
Lesson Plan
Rivanna Regional Stormwater Education Partnership

Invisible Passengers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
How does water pollution affect the organisms living in the water? Use three science experiments to examine how erosion and other pollutants can affect water quality. Each experiment focuses on a different aspect of pollution and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Stream Table

For Teachers 3rd - Higher Ed
Students explore channelization, riparian habitats and soil erosion to find out about  the aquatic habitats in Iowa. For this aquatic habitats lesson, students define important terms and read an article about pollution. ...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living Organisms as Indicators of Pollutants in Fresh Water Ecosystems

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students observe the effects of pollution on living organisms. In this pollution lesson plan, students observe fresh water Hydra and look at their structures and movement. They place samples of pond and lake water on the Hydra and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Cycle Terrariums

For Teachers 3rd - 7th
Students explore the water cycle. They build a model of the water cycle in the form of a terrarium and explain how it demonstrates the water cycle. In addition, they draw a representation of the water cycle demonstrated in the terrarium.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Go to the Source- Your Town's Tap Water

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners investigate their town's tap water. In this water quality lesson plan, students complete a simple taste-testing experiment and online research to investigate tap water.
Lesson Plan
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Teachers' Guide to Using A Day In the Life of a Drop

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Hydrology hopefuls learn about their local watershed. Through discussion and online interactives, they see that their habits affect the water supply. The lesson plan concludes with a pledge to filter out bad water usage habits. It makes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Point- vs. Non-point Pollution

For Teachers 6th - 11th
Learners differentiate between point and non-point pollution and determine how the different types of pollution are harmful to aquatic ecosystems. They complete a series of tests on a sample of "polluted" water and a sample of "pure" water.