Lesson Plan #: AELP-ENH0200

Water Pollution and Water Quality for the Young Child

An Educator's Reference Desk Lesson Plan

Submitted by: Linda Carritte
Email: DYCRPLS22@aol.com
School/University/Affiliation: Salem State College, Salem, MA
Endorsed by: Professor Diane Edwards
             Salem State College

Date: May 3, 2002

Grade Level: Preschool Education

Subject(s):

Duration: 45-60 minutes

Description: This science lesson, in a developmentally appropriate mode, introduces young students to water pollution and water quality using a non-threatening method. This lesson aims to gently foster young students' awareness of water pollution and water quality, as well as expose them to some vocabulary that surrounds these subjects.

Goals: Massachusetts Early Childhood Education Standards

  1. Framework 1.1 Water, Rocks & Soil pg. 84 (Earth and Science)
  2. Framework 4.1 Vocabulary and Concept Development pg. 66 (Language)
Objectives:
  1. Students will be aware of how everyday activities can contaminate water.
  2. Students will be able to appreciate, respect, and nurture the earth's natural resource of water, especially nice, clean water.
Materials: Vocabulary:
  1. abundant - More than enough.
  2. contaminate - To make dirty or to make sick (infect).
  3. conserve - Be careful with, not waste.
  4. necessity - Something that is needed; water is a necessity for our survival.
  5. reservoir - A place where we store or keep our drinking, cooking, and bathing water.
  6. water pollution - Water that has been changed and can no longer be used for its original purpose.
Procedure:
This activity is one that can be done as a "teaching moment" when the children are using a water table or as part of a water theme curriculum. At circle time, read and discuss one of the many books available pertaining to water. It is best to choose one that has a duck in the story such as one from the materials list given in this lesson plan, or a colorful, easy-to-read water informational book like Water by David Bennet.

Next, start a "KWL" chart (What do we know? What do we want to know? What have we learned?) about water. When you have completed what you can on the "KWL" chart, set up the water table with accessories and rubber ducks that reflect the story you read. Tell the children that you are going to put some dishwashing liquid in the water so they can "wash the toys."

When their play interest begins to slow down, ask students, "Why does the water look like that?" From that point, begin an observational-discovery activity. Let the children take the lead. However, be sure to bring up things covered in the "KWL" chart, the vocabulary words given earlier in the lesson plan, and "thinking" questions like, "Would ducks be able to drink this water now?" or "How can we clean this water?" as you facilitate the activity.

Get a clear container, fill it with clean water, and compare the dirty and clean water. Foster the observation and exploration of the water by encouraging the students to smell, hear, look, and feel the clean and "polluted" water. Remember, the main purpose of this activity is to "plant the seed" of how water can get polluted and what we can do about it.

Lesson Extension:
Discuss ways to conserve water. Examples: Don't let the water run while you are brushing your teeth; ask mommy or daddy to fix leaky faucets; do not take long showers.

Assessment: Complete the "KWL" chart after students have finished comparing the clean and "dirty" water. Review any vocabulary words discussed during the lesson.

Useful Internet Resource:
* Early Childhood Program Standards for Programs for Three- and Four-Year Olds
http://www.doe.mass.edu/els/rfp_2001/71301.pdf

Special Comments: This is a wonderful and fun activity that takes a crucial problem on our planet Earth and brings it down to a young child's level of thinking in a non-threatening way. This activity coincides wonderfully with World Water Day every March 22nd. World Water Day was declared in 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly.