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About this lesson
 grade level: K-2
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curriculum standards:
1
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author: Cross-Curricular Connections
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posted on: October 19, 2000
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EconomicsMinute

Water, Water, Everywhere

Key Economic Concepts:

Description:

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.

Introduction:

Access the movie clip of the earth at www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,2839-order,1-page,1-c,videoclips/description.html [1] . [Alternatively, a still image of the earth can be found at [2] ' ] Tell the children that they are going to watch a short movie clip of the Earth viewed from space. Give them time to view the clip and then ask them to identify the areas of water and the areas of land visible on the Earth's surface. Stress the fact that humans created neither the land nor the water. They are "gifts of nature" which humans are able to use. Ask the following question: Where do we find water on the Earth? [Note down the water sources as the children name them. For example, oceans, rivers, streams, lakes, underground supplies.]

Resources:

Process:

  1. The photographs on the websites listed below show some of the ways in which we use water as an economic resource. Ask the children to view the photographs by clicking on the website addresses and to answer the following question:
  2. What are the different ways in which water is being used in these photographs?

Give the children time to examine the photos and then discuss their findings of what water is used for.

  1. Dogwww.ni-photos.jmcwd.com/cows-drinking-water.jpg [3]
    [This photo shows dairy cattle drinking water. Discuss the fact that we need water in order to raise animals, which we then use for meat or for dairy production. Ask for other examples, such as pigs, chickens, sheep.]
  2. www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/envicon/pim/CoreIssues/Irrigation.htm [4] Tree
    [This photo shows an agricultural irrigation system. Discuss the fact that we need water in order to grow plants, which we then buy at the grocery store. Ask for other examples, such as apples, lettuce, potatoes.]
  3. www.aoc.nrao.edu/~dking/photos/Sailboat--Gulf%20of%20Mexico%207-88a.jpg [5]
    [This photo shows a sailboat sailing in the middle of a gulf. Discuss the fact that we use water to help us to get around and to help us to move goods.]
  4. www.terragalleria.com/pictures-subjects/beach-fun/picture.beach-fun.usca34842.html [6]   [6] Beach Ball
    [This photo shows sunbathers on a beach. Discuss the fact that we use water when we want to have fun. For example, we go on holiday to the beach, we go to the swimming pool, we go to water parks, we go fishing and boating on lakes and rivers.]
  5. Show the children four large pieces of chart paper, each a different color, headed as follows:
    • We use water to grow plants
    • We use water to raise animals
    • We use water to help us to get around
    • We use water when we want to have fun

Ask the children to draw an example of water being used in one of these ways.

Conclusion:

As the children complete their pictures they can post their drawings on to the appropriate chart. Discuss the charts with the class once they are completed.

Assessment Activity:

Comment that we also use water when we make other products eg. paint. Ask the children to look at items at home, with the help of their parent, and to find some with water listed as an ingredient. Ask them to bring one such item in to school and then create a display using all the products brought in.

Extension Activity:

  1. Learn about other natural resources, such as woodlands. Websites at www.afandpa.org/ [9] and www.idahoforests.org [11] provide a starting point with information and ideas concerning forests and products made from wood.
  2. Take a class field trip to visit a water mill and learn about how water can be used as a source of energy. Information on working water mills can be found on the internet, for example at www.old-engine.com/hanford.htm [12] and www.nebraskahistory.org/sites/mill/moreinfo.htm [10]
  3. Study the water cycle or learn about water conservation. The websites at http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/ [13] and www.epa.gov/ow/kids.html [14] provide information and ideas.

Links Used:

1. ^ ^ "www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,2839-order,1-page,1-c,videoclips/description.html" - (www.pcworld.com)
2. ^ "" - ()
3. ^ "www.ni-photos.jmcwd.com/cows-drinking-water.jpg" - (www.ni-photos.jmcwd.com)
4. ^ ^ "www.fws.gov/pacific/ecoservices/envicon/pim/CoreIssues/Irrigation.htm" - (www.fws.gov)
5. ^ ^ "www.aoc.nrao.edu/~dking/photos/Sailboat--Gulf%20of%20Mexico%207-88a.jpg" - (www.aoc.nrao.edu)
6. ^ ^ ^ "www.terragalleria.com/pictures-subjects/beach-fun/picture.beach-fun.usca34842.html" - (www.terragalleria.com)
7. ^ "www.harmsy.freeuk.com/images/gaia2.jpeg.]" - (www.harmsy.freeuk.com)
8. ^ "www.irishviews.com/cows-drinking-water.jpg" - (www.irishviews.com)
9. ^ ^ "www.afandpa.org/" - (www.afandpa.org)
10. ^ ^ "www.nebraskahistory.org/sites/mill/moreinfo.htm" - (www.nebraskahistory.org)
11. ^ ^ "www.idahoforests.org/" - (www.idahoforests.org)
12. ^ ^ "www.old-engine.com/hanford.htm" - (www.old-engine.com)
13. ^ ^ "http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/" - (ga.water.usgs.gov)
14. ^ ^ "www.epa.gov/ow/kids.html" - (www.epa.gov)

Teacher Reviews

April 7, 2003
I think I would approach this lesson with a little more emphasis on conserving resources and the associated economic implications for doing so. If we use it unwisely, we waste valuable capital.
- Kelly  OH

December 18, 2004
This lesson is a great opportunity to teach our children that as people of the earth we all have a great responsibility to take care of our natural resources, so others as well as them will have the needed resources to live on earth.
- Nina Holman  KY

March 21, 2005
The assessment activity to me seems like more of an extension of the lesson. I would like to have seen the assessment show that students know the different ways we use and can obtain water, which is what the lesson, I believe, focus on primarily. I like that you could adapt this to fit older grades easily. I would include, if this was an older class, a short discussion of how global warming is affecting one of the largest water supplies on earth - the glaciers. This could also be the source of a discussion about which sources of water are available and which are not (glaciers, biomass, etc.). The videos would be a good engaging activity and an awesome visual.
- Stacy  MI

May 10, 2006
I like the fact that the lesson gives web site URLs instead of simply linking. This way I can print the lesson and later refer to some of the websites without having to access the lesson online again.
- Shirley Gregory  Rogers, AR

February 18, 2009
I love the pictures of the different ways water is used! I think this is a great way to relate the lesson to real life and help the kids remember what they've been taught!
- Sara E.  Fayetteville, AR

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