Mini-Lesson

Objective: Students will set water-conservation goals.

1. Start a discussion about the world's water supply. Ask: Why is it important to conserve the Earth's freshwater? 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 does not have access to enough water.

* The average person in the United States uses 140 gallons of water per day, while the average person in Ethiopia in Africa uses less than three.

2. Have students read the timeforkids.com story, Water Troubles. Ask them to 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 conserve water. Use the worksheet Get Water-Wise to give them some ideas. Finally, challenge students to set their own realistic water-conservation goals.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

Have students complete word problems to learn more about the world's water crisis. Use the worksheet The Gift of Water.

Discuss the importance of saving energy in addition to water. Challenge students to create brochures that inform others about how they can conserve energy. Use the worksheet Energy in the House to help get them started.

RESOURCES:

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Straus (Kids Can Press, 2007). Teaches kids how to conserve and protect our global well

earthday.net Click on Resources, then Water for Life Campaign for more information on water conservation.