LESSON PLAN Link to Video
OCEANS, LAKES AND RIVERS
GRADES K-2
SUMMARY
Students will make a model of different places water is found on Earth. Duration: 45 minutes.
CORRELATION
2-ESS2-3. Obtain information to identify where water is found on Earth and that it can be solid or liquid.
Science & Engineering Practices Connections to Classroom Activity
Developing and Using Models • Students will develop a model of the different kinds
of water found on Earth and the relative amounts of
each.
Disciplinary Core Ideas Connections to Classroom Activity
ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface • Students will learn about the different water sources
Processes on Earth after they create a model of what they think
Water is found in the ocean, rivers, lakes and ponds. the different representations are.
Water exists as solid ice and in liquid form. (2-ESS2-3)
Crosscutting Concepts Connections to Classroom Activity
Stability and Change • Students will learn that there is a finite amount of
water on the Earth.
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ENGAGE MATERIALS
Hold up a globe or share a picture of a world map. • Pack of clear cups
Ask, “What do you notice?” Students might notice • 1 cup of water per group (one drop of blue food
the different colors on the map/globe. If not, you can coloring is optional)
prompt with, “What do you notice about the colors?”, • A globe or map of the world
“What do you think the blue color represents?” This DIY Activity (per group)
should lead them into the idea that we have a lot of
• Large piece of wax paper
water on the Earth. Segue into the lesson by telling
• Marker
students that today they will work in groups to
• Baking pan or similar container
develop a model of all the different sources of water
• Blue food coloring
on the Earth.
• Spray bottle with water
EXPLORE
Direct students to discuss with their groups all the different sources of water found on Earth. Since this is an inquiry
lesson, expect that different groups will come up with different ideas. Some might think about oceans, lakes, rivers,
etc., while others might mention pool water or water coming out of their tap. Once students come up with a list of water
sources, they need to collect the same number of containers. Next, give each group 1 cup of water (in a beaker or
pitcher) and tell them that this is the Earth’s supply of water. They now need to separate this cup of water into the various
containers to show their model of the different sources of water and how they think it is distributed. You can give the
students droppers if you have them.
EXPLAIN
Allow student groups to share how they distributed the water. Which type of place has the most water? Which type has
the least? Once students have shared their ideas…
WATCH THE GENERATION GENIUS OCEANS, LAKES, AND RIVERS
VIDEO AS A GROUP
Then facilitate using the Discussion Questions.
ELABORATE
After the video re-emphasize that ocean water makes up most of the water on Earth, and that freshwater is a very small
percentage of the water on Earth. Give students a chance to revisit their models of the Earth’s water and make any
changes that they wish. They can change the sources and amounts poured into each cup.
The actual distribution of water on earth would be 97% in the ocean and 3% freshwater. Visually, this would be
represented with all the water in one cup except 1 teaspoon representing glaciers, half a teaspoon representing ground
water and a single drop representing all surface water like lakes, river, streams, etc.
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EVALUATE
Students can play the online Kahoot! quiz game located below the video which provides downloadable scores at the end
of the quiz game. Alternatively, you can use the paper quiz or the exit ticket questions. All these resources are located
below the video in the Assessment section.
EXTENSION
Since freshwater available for use is so limited, conserving water is important. Discuss with students the different ways
they can help conserve water. (Turning the water off when brushing teeth, taking shorter showers, reusing bath water to
water plants, etc.)
For older students, you can also talk about the water amounts in terms of percentages.
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