Every Drop Counts

Lesson Summary

In this lesson the students explored and discovered the influence humans have on the surrounding environment. They focused on how humans and their consumption of water impact the environment. The students first learned more about water, the rate at which it is consumed, and how this can be harmful to the environment around us. Next, the students examined their own water consumption by collecting data on how often they consume water. After this, the students brainstormed then researched different ways that it is possible to conserve water. Finally, the students created a Public Service announcement describing the importance of conserving water.

TIPC Ratings

Research & Information Fluency

Rating:Ideal – Explanation: The self-selected groups constructed their own questions to guide their research and selected the most appropriate digital tools and information resources. They used a provided checklist to determine accuracy and authority of information resources and they cited their sources. (See the lesson plan and student samples.) The students also selected their own medium of relaying a public service announcement about water conservation to not only the parents at the end of the year Harvie events, but globally by way of the classroom blog.

Communication & Collaboration

Rating: Ideal – Explanation: The students selected their own groups, established their own rules (norms), and assigned their own roles while working on this unit from the beginning of research until the water conservation public service announcement was created. The students reflected on their communication and collaboration and set goals for future growth on the classroom blog.

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

Rating: Ideal – Explanation: The students chose the digital tools they used to create their public service announcement and they solved any problems they encountered by thinking critically as a team. They reflected on their roles as critical thinkers and problem solvers and set goals for future growth by way of the classroom blog.

Creativity & Innovation

Rating: Ideal – Explanation: The students used existing and self-generated knowledge to create new ideas within and beyond the assignment for relaying their public service announcements to the parents and community. They analyzed trends by collecting water usage data and then made predictions based on that data. They reflected on the creative/innovative process and set goals for future growth by way of the classroom blog.