Looking after our water (Years 3-4)

Aerial image of Silvan Reservoir

This lesson plan provides simple hands-on activities that build student understanding about the water cycle, alternative water sources such as water recycling, and the importance of using water wisely.

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This lesson plan contains modules explicitly linked to the Victorian Curriculum.

Download the full plan or individual activities below.

Activities

Activity 1: Where does water come from?

Students explore the ideas of evaporation and condensation through a set of simple hands-on activities to better understand the water cycle and where our water comes from.

Duration: One double session to conduct experiments with one session for follow up. (Note: the appearing water activity needs to be left overnight.)

Activity 2: Water in our community

Students identify where the water in their homes and local community comes from and use this information to create a ‘Rain to tap’ storyboard.

Duration: two sessions

Activity 3: Wise water users

Students consider the importance of using water wisely and use a set of water saving cards to develop an action plan for using water wisely at home.

Duration: two sessions

Victorian curriculum links

  • VCGGK082: Types of natural vegetation and the significance of vegetation to the environment, the importance of environments to animals and people, and different views on how they can be protected; the use and management of natural resources and waste, and different views on how to do this sustainably
    Geography > Geographical knowledge > Diversity and significance of places and environments
  • VCSSU056: Science knowledge helps people to understand the effects of their actions
    Science > Science understanding > Science as a human endeavour
  • VCSSU044: Objects are made of materials that have observable properties
    Science > Science understanding > Chemical sciences

Resources

Natural and urban water cycle

Upper Yarra

Learn how water moves between the land, ocean and atmosphere to end up in your tap.

 

Natural and urban water cycle

 

Using and saving water

Andrew Hansen speaking about saving water, including turning off taps when you don't need them.

Discover the following tips to save water at your school or at home:

 

Using and saving water at school

Using and saving water at home

 

 

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