Goals: To stimulate student interest in the importance of water
by involving them in individual and/or co-operative activities
Objectives:
1. The learner will recognize the importance of clean water to our
daily lives.
2. The learner will identify ways to conserve water on a daily basis.
3. The learner will identify and use correct math operations in problem
solving related real-life experiences.
4. The learner will recognize the various properties and states of
water.
5. The learner will generate literary stories about water.
6. The learner will use different types of graphs to plot data collected
from the experiments and materials presented.
7. The learner will use research skills to collect data about water.
NationalScience Standard(s)
Goals for School Science (1) - Use scientific principles and processes
appropriately in making personal decisions.
Principles Underlying the National Science Education Standards(1) -
Learning about science is an active process.
Assessment Standard (A) - Assessments are deliberately designed.
Science as Inquiry (V) - Develop skills necessary to become independent
inquirers about the natural world.
Content Standard (B-K-4) - Properties of objects and materials.
Content Standard (F-K-4) - Develop understanding of types of resources
with changes in the environment.
Professional Development Standard (A) - Learning experiences address
issues, events, problems, or topics significant in science and of interest
to participants.
NationalMathematics Standard(s):
Mathematics as Problem Solving (1)
Mathematics as Communication (2)
Mathematics as Reasoning (3)
Mathematic Connections (4)
Concepts of Whole Number Operations (7)
Measurement (10)
NationalScience Benchmark(s)
1. Results of investigations get similar results. (1A The Scientific
World View)
2. Scientific investigation includes observing, collecting, and experimenting.
(1B Scientific Inquiry)
3. Science is and adventure. (1C Scientific Enterprise)
4. Clear Communication is essential. (1C Scientific Enterprise)
5. Math is helpful in everything. (2B Mathematics, Science, and Technology)
6. Measuring instruments are used for accurate information. (3A Technology)
7. States of matter (of water). (4D Structure of Matter)
8. Changes in habitat can be harmful. (5D Interdependence of Life).
9. Keep records of investigations. (12A Values and Attitudes)
10. Offer reasons for their findings and consider other people's reasons.
(12A Values and Attitudes)
TennesseeScience Benchmark(s)
Observing (1.1)
Questioning (1.2)
Collecting Data (1.3)
Explaining (1.5)
Form & Function (2.2)
Change (2.5)
Historical/Cultural Perspective (3.1)
Methods (3.4)
Creative Enterprise (3.6)
Personal Needs (4.2)
Societal Needs (4.4)
Economics (4.5)
Summary of instruction used to build Knowledge Base:
Integrated Activities:
1. This activity will have students predict percentages of salt and
fresh water found on the earth and compare their predictions to the actual
percentages.
2. This activity includes cooperative grouping. Using a scale each
member of the group will weigh and multiply their weight by 2/3's which
will show how much of your body is made up of water.
1. Introductory activity is a card game of water facts. Each student
will receive a card and place it under a true or false chart. This will
serve as a pre-assessment activity.
2. Students will independently investigate different properties of
water and record results in booklet form .
You live on a small ranch in Texas. There has been a drought. Your
parents are planning to dig a deeper well. As the drill machinery is being
transported , a large amount of oil contaminates the animals' water supply.
You must conserve the most amount of well water possible because your present
well only has 10,000 gallons of water left.
There are four members in your family. You have 20 cattle and ten horses.
Each animal requires 10 gallons of water per day. Use the information we
have gathered throughout the unit (conservation fact sheet) to come up
with the minimum daily requirements of water used for your family members.
It is your job to list as many ways to conserve the water on your ranch.
You will be given bonus points for minimizing the use of water. Please
remember the animals require 10 gallons per day. Your parents will contribute
$1.00 to your college fund for every gallon you save.
Assessment for Performance Assessment Task:
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA:
Each student will be given a score of 1-20 in each of the following
areas.
There will be 4 points given for each of the items in each category.
WRITTEN AND ORAL PRESENTATION
Neatness
Complete Sentences
Appropriate Vocabulary
Punctuation and Spelling
Voice Tone and Enthusiasm
COOPERATIVE GROUP WORK
Polite to others
Divided Work Equally
Appropriate Voice Level
Group Encouragement
Acceptance of Others' Ideas
AMOUNT OF WATER SAVED
1-10 gallons (4 pts.)
11-25 gallons (8pts.)
26-40 gallons (12 pts.)
41-50 gallons (16 pts.)
51 and up (20 pts.)
MATH AND SCIENCE APPLICATION
Use of Appropriate Operation
Correct Computation
Proper use of Fractions
Proper use of Decimals
Identify Water Conservation Steps
PROBLEM SOLVING
Identify the Problem
Devise a Plan
Carry Out Plan
Reflection
Revision and Extention
SCORING RUBRIC
93-100 WATER WIZARD
Students will provide a knowledgeable and accurate explanation of activities
through written expression in their journal. Group cooperation, oral presentation
and application of problem solving were demonstrated.
85-92 SUPER SAVER
Students demonstrate understanding of the processes, but cannot provide
accurate verbal or written account of activities in unit, but can apply
to similar situations.
75-84 COOL CONSERVER
Students understand process of activities but cannot apply to similar
situations. Have difficulty with verbal or written account of activities.
70-74 WELL DIGGER (DIG A LITTLE DEEPER)
Students have difficulty understanding process, as well as, written
and verbal expression.
0-69 RE-DO
Students have no understanding of process and no written or verbal
abilities to express any of the concepts presented in the unit.
(OPTIONAL) Connections to other subjects:
This unit centers around the book, "The Magic School Bus-
Waterworks".
This unit goes into every elementary curriculum area.