Mini-Lesson

Water Conservation

Mini-Lesson: Grades 2-3

Objective: Students will set water-conservation goals.

1. Start a discussion about the world's water supply. Ask: Why is it important not to waste water? Then, share the following facts:

*Every person, animal and plant on Earth needs water to survive.

*The amount of water on Earth has never changed. It has been the same for billions of years.

*One out of every five people in the world is not able to get enough water.

*The average person in the United States uses 140 gallons of water each day. The average person in Ethiopia uses less than three.

*Humans and many other species need freshwater, but most of the Earth's water is saltwater.

2. Pass out the timeforkids.com story, World Water Day 2008. As you read the article together, have students underline facts about the world's water situation. Then, have each person share which fact he or she found most surprising.

3. Encourage students to think about ways that they can use up less water. Use the worksheet Watch Your Water Use! to give them some ideas. Finally, challenge students to set their own realistic water-conservation goals.