A discussion-based activity designed to challenge
student’s existing knowledge about water both at home and overseas.
Expectations:
Social Studies: Inquiry, Research and Communication Skills – 4z34.
Heath and Physical Education: Healthy Living – 4p1, 4p2.
Science and Technology: Life Systems – 4s3, Relating Science and Technology to the Outside World – 4s16.
English Language Expectations: 4e53, 4e56, 4e62, 4e66.
Before the lesson begins, write the background information on the ways we use water in Canada and in Africa on the chalkboard or chart paper
Background Info:
All of our daily activities and decisions have some type of impact on the natural world (even though we might not realize it).
Consider the water you use to wash your clothes – where does it come from?
Where does it go when you are done with it?
Is the soapy water bad for the environment?
Everyone one in the world uses water on a daily basis, but very differently. Did you know that instead of turning on a tap, some children in Africa have to walk several kilometers to fetch a jug of water?
And, instead of taking a shower, some wash themselves in rivers and streams. Does this affect the river or stream?
While playing water bingo, think about the different ways we use water in Canada and in Africa.
Ask a few students to volunteer to read out loud to the class what is written on the board.
Read the instructions for playing Water Bingo to your class: When the teacher gives the signal to start, each student aims to fill in their Water-Bingo sheet by moving around the class and asking questions to their classmates with the objective of finding answers to their questions. Students may NOT write down more than one answer per classmate. The first person to complete their sheets shouts out Water-Bingo (or just Bingo).
While the other students continue to look for names, make sure the ‘winner’ has completed the sheet appropriately. The answer to: “guess what this is used for” is – washing laundry. If the sheet is incomplete – return the student to the game.
Stop the game once all or most of the students have shouted Water Bingo. Quickly review all of the bingo sheets with the class to make sure that everyone has the correct information, especially for the questions about naming a sickness caused by polluted water; naming a source of water pollution; and identifying the washing laundry question.
Divide students into groups of 3 or 4 and give each group a different question to answer (see below). Provide students with chart paper and markers and after students have answered questions in their group they can present to their fellow classmates. Ask the students to write their answers in point form, sentences, or pictures. Allow for 10 to 15 minutes to complete the question and write down their answers. Once complete, ask one member from each group to present to class.
Special Note: For question a. (Who has visited a country in Africa?), provide the group with a book or website on Africa that includes pictures of the citizens using water. Just in case no one in the class has been there before.
Name and describe a source of water pollution? Can you explain how it damages the environment? Does this source of water pollution occur in Canada, Africa, or both?
Describe some ways of conserving water? Why should we conserve water?
In Canada, we get water from our bathroom tap. Describe two ways that people in Africa get their water. How are they similar? How are they different?
Compare an outhouse and a traditional toilet. How are they similar and how are they different?
Describe ways in which polluted water can make us sick? Do more people become sick from water in Canada, or in Africa? Why is this?
An image on your bingo sheet shows community members standing around a basin for washing clothes? Why don’t they have washing machines? Do you think washing your clothes like this uses more or less water than in Canada?
Some schools in Africa do not have access to water. Describe how your Canadian school would be different without access to water.
Instruct students to write a journal entry based on the question: Why is water important?
