Within the context of this unit, students will learn that water is an important part of their lives. Water is an important element for their survival, thus, an important part of their diet. Also, Students will learn that water is an important part of our environment as it covers nearly three-quarters of the earth’s surface. In addition, water is a powerful force in our environment. The movement of water in the form of waves is responsible for the shape of out shores and rock facings. Also, students will learn that water has three forms: liquid (as we commonly use it), solid(as snow or ice), and gas(as water vapor). Students will also differentiate between salt water and fresh water. Students will use experiments to experience and illustrate more difficult principles such as condensation, evaporation, surface tension, and the water cycle.
After a thorough and exciting study of water, students will learn the implications of pollution within our water supply. They will observe the differences between clean and dirty or polluted water. The students will also learn about the implications of pollution on fresh water and ocean life and how this affects our food supply. Students will also be exposed to the importance of conservation.
In addition, students will learn about water as part of our weather. We will study the formation of clouds, rain, and snow. In addition, students will identify the four seasons and their corresponding weather patterns. Students will also identify events in nature that correspond to the seasons. For example, the leaves of trees change color and fall to the ground during the fall season. Also, the students will develop an association between common weather symbols and their corresponding weather.
As part of the daily class routine, our math class will be used to keep track of the weather using a weather graph. The students will count the number of sunny, cloudy, rainy, and snowy days. They will also decide which group (sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowy) has more days and which group has the least number of days. Used as a daily occurrence, this activity will reinforce number concepts and counting skills. In addition, to reinforce daily living skills, students will identify the appropriate types of clothing to wear for different weather days. Students will also learn about more extreme types of weather that include wind, severe rain, and lightening, as well as the consequences of severe weather such as flooding. Finally, students will learn how to remain safe during severe weather events.
Next, the students will identify their world as the planet Earth. They will place the Earth within the context of the solar system as one of a series of planets traveling around the sun. The earth contains various land formations as well as bodies of water. Then students will observe the impact of water on the land masses of the Earth and be exposed to the idea that the Earth has changed over the many thousands of years in our past.
