Lesson planWater is EVERYWHERE!
Learn that some people, like Sangita, don’t have access to clean water, and we can all take actions to be better with water.
Lesson planLearn that some people, like Sangita, don’t have access to clean water, and we can all take actions to be better with water.
In this episode of Earth Cubs, join Frankie the Fox, Wilfred Walrus and Antonio the Anteater as they discuss the importance of water in our daily lives and the many ways we use it! Learn that some people, like Sangita, don’t have access to clean water, and we can all take actions to be better with water. Making changes at home can help the whole world!
Ask the children if they can think of any other ways they use water at home and at school.
Emphasise that water is one of our legal, human rights and discuss its role in hygiene, cooking and growing food.
Read pages 6, 7 from the story Protect Freshwater to Save Life on Earth. Ask them to think about how Earth has changed since it began, and how we use water differently now?
Ask the children, if there was no water, would only humans be affected?
Ask further questions, e.g How long could a human live without water?
How long can humans live without food? (Link to how water is needed for crops to grow).
Ask the children if they agree or disagree with Antonio the Anteater, and if some people's need for clean water is more important than others?
Activity suggestion: Provide each pair with a whiteboard. Ask the children to imagine themselves in different roles (e.g a farmer, a student, a doctor, an athlete, a parent) and to think about why clean water is important for that specific person. E.g A farmer might say 'I need clean water as my crops won’t grow without it'. After everyone has shared their statement, ask again whether they agree or disagree with Antonio the Anteater and why? Ask them if some people's need for clean water is more important than others?
Encourage discussions on climate change's impact on weather patterns.
What effects have the children seen of climate change where they live?
Explain that even things we buy have an impact on the planet.
(Buying a T-shirt made in a water insecure country (India) adds more pressure to that country's resources. Especially if the T-shirt was made using lots of water and dye (pollution) and was cheap).
Think about Sangita’s story and retell all the things she did when she had enough clean water.
Ask the children to imagine how their lives would change without easy access to clean water.
Role Play opportunity, act out Sangita’s water journey.
N.B Ensure children understand that dirty water can make people sick and it can be difficult for children like Sangita to get it.
What part of the episode showed water conservation?
Use Frankie's suggestions about turning off taps, taking shorter showers, and collecting rainwater to initiate conversations about practical ways to save water at home.
Send the children out of class in groups to ensure all taps are turned off in school if not being used, check for leaks and drips (as washers need changing too)!
Together talk about the difference between how we experience water and how Sangita experiences water, and generally learn more about global water issues.
Read Protecting Freshwater page 28 for inspiration, share this knowledge with families and friends. Sharing what we know with others is super important too.
Support Frank Water who work hard to help people get clean water. Supporting them is helping people all over the world have the same access to water.
As a class, learn more about Frank Water and think of a way to raise money for this amazing charity, you could even do it in celebration of World Water Day!
Ready for school, home, and everywhere in between!
