THIS WEEK'S LESSON ACTIVITIES
INSTRUCTOR:
Linda Tubman
DATE: CLASS LEVEL: Advanced Basic Skills
Topic: Different Forms of Water
Lesson Objectives:
The students will:
1. Describe the water cycle and explain why it’s important.
2. Compare the 3 forms of water and uses for each.
3. Explain why water conservation is important.
CCR Standards Aligned to this Lesson:
RI/RL.4, RI/RL.5.1, RI.4.2, RI.4.3, RL.5.4,RI.4.7, SL.5.1, SL.5.2, W.5.1, W.4.2, W.5.4,
L.4.2, L.5.2, L.4.4, L.5.4, L.4.6 L.5.6
To include text dependent questions and reading strategies as needed, such as vocabulary, grammar, spelling,
phonics, sentence structure along with writing and listening/speaking activities throughout the unit.
Reading: “Forms of Water and Water Facts” handout, “Different Forms of Water” from
readworks.org., “Words in Context” graphic organizer.
Vocabulary: properties, turbines, compound, conservation, evaporation, transpiration,
condensation, precipitation, accumulation.
Text dependent questions:
Evidence based answers:
Explain why water is the most common compound on
70% of the Earth’s surface
Earth.
is water-mostly in liquid
form. (paragraph 3)
What are 4 uses of liquid water described in the article? Generating power,
nourishment of living things,
cooling, and traveling.
(paragraphs 3,4,5, and 6)
What is a turbine?
A large gear used to
generate power from water.
(paragraph 6)
What 2 properties does ice have that differ from liquid
It becomes a solid and is
water?
less dense. (paragraph 7)
Describe 1 of the uses of ice explained in the article
1. The Antarctic ice pier
including text for support..
built to transport food and
supplies to the research
station. (paragraph 7)
2. The National Seal
Sanctuary in Britain which
uses ice to keep the sea
lions cool so they don’t
fight. (paragraph 8)
3. Zoos around the world
1 What are 2 uses of steam mentioned in the article?
Explain how the water cycle works.
What do you think is meant by the comment that the
chemical compound of water makes life on Earth
possible? Cite from text to support your answer.
In the “Inside a Hydropower Plant” selection
use ice for polar bear and
penguin exhibits.
(paragraph 8)
4. Restaurants and hotels
invest in expensive ice
machines for their visitors.
(paragraph 8)
Sterilize fields-kill weeds
and bacteria, heat
generated by radiators,
making electricity, and
cooking. (paragraphs 9-10)
Water evaporates from the
earth’s surface, or
transpires from plants.
Clouds are formed by
condensation, and the
water or snow return to the
surface by precipitation.
The water flows back to the
oceans where it
accumulates.
Every living thing on Earth
needs water as part of its
nourishment. (paragraph 3)
From the “Water Facts” handout, which conservation
Answers will vary.
tip do you think is the most important? Explain why
and cite text for support.
Day 1: Students will read “Different Forms of Water” with a partner. Next we will
discuss the text dependent questions. As a class, we will clarify any information. (1.5
hrs.)
Day 2: In groups, students will discuss the water cycle illustration and use the “Words
in Context” graphic organizer to explain the meanings of the words. That will lead to
talking about the forms water takes and how the molecular structure of each varies.
The groups will brainstorm as many names for the 3 forms as they can. (e.g. Liquid-rain,
river, tea. Solid-ice, snow, frost. Gas-steam, water vapor.) We will compile a chart to
show all of their ideas. (2 hrs.)
Day 3: With a partner, students will re-read the text “Different Forms of Water”. We will
focus on paragraph 6, and take a look at how a hydroelectric power plant works. We
will discuss the advantages vs. disadvantages of hydroelectric power. Students will
write an essay supporting the use of hydroelectricity, or opposing it and giving
alternative ideas. They will share these in small groups. (2 hrs.)
Day 4: We will read the “Water Facts” handout, and discuss the concept of
2 conservation. Students will see if there are any other ideas they can add to the ones
given here. Students will then write a one page essay explaining why water is
important, and why we should try to conserve it. They will cite examples from the
readings along with expressing their own opinions. Students will peer edit their writing.
(2 hrs.)
Day 5: Students will rewrite their essays and read them to the class. (2 hrs.)
Language: Use of suffix –tion. Scientific terms related to water. Discussions with
partners will include importance of water, and ideas on conservation of water resources.
How I will scaffold my lessons to reach all of my students' levels:
I will use visuals for the water cycle, water particles, and how turbines work. The chart
of student generated ideas will be up in class to assist them.
How I will assess my students' mastery of the lessons:
Students will write an essay about the importance of water, and share it with the class.
My reflections of the lessons (what worked, what didn't, what I might change for
next time):
3 4 Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Power ADVANTAGES: 1. Once a dam is constructed, electricity can be produced at a constant rate.
2. If electricity is not needed, the sluice gates can be shut, stopping electricity generation. The water
can be saved for use another time when electricity demand is high.
3. Dams are designed to last many decades and so can contribute to the generation of electricity for
many years / decades.
4. The lake that forms behind the dam can be used for water sports and leisure / pleasure activities.
Often large dams become tourist attractions in their own right.
5. The lake's water can be used for irrigation purposes.
6. The buildup of water in the lake means that energy can be stored until needed, when the water is
released to produce electricity.
7. When in use, electricity produced by dam systems do not produce green house gases. They do
5 not pollute the atmosphere. DISADVANATGES: 1. Dams are extremely expensive to build and must be built to a very high standard.
2. The high cost of dam construction means that they must operate for many decades to become
profitable.
3. The flooding of large areas of land means that the natural environment is destroyed.
4. People living in villages and towns that are in the valley to be flooded, must move out. This
means that they lose their farms and businesses. In some countries, people are forcibly removed so
that hydro-power schemes can go ahead.
5. The building of large dams can cause serious geological damage. For example, the building of
the Hoover Dam in the USA triggered a number of earth quakes and has depressed the earth’s
surface at its location.
6. Although modern planning and design of dams is good, in the past old dams have been known to
be breached (the dam gives under the weight of water in the lake). This has led to deaths and
flooding.
7. Dams built blocking the progress of a river in one country usually means that the water supply
from the same river in the following country is out of their control. This can lead to serious
problems between neighboring countries.
8. Building a large dam alters the natural water table level. For example, the building of the Aswan
Dam in Egypt has altered the level of the water table. This is slowly leading to damage of many of
its ancient monuments as salts and destructive minerals are deposited in the stone work from ‘rising
damp’ caused by the changing water table level.
6 Water Facts
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Without water, the earth would look like the moon.
All living things need water to live. People can live several weeks without food,
but only a few days without water. We should drink six to eight glasses of water
each day!
Water makes up 83% of our blood, 70% of our brain, and 90% of our lungs.
Overall, our bodies are 70% water.
A tomato is about 95% water. An apple, a pineapple, and an ear of corn are each
80% water.
Conservation Tips
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Check household faucets for leaks. A faucet with even a slow drip takes 10 to 25
gallons of water. Just think, 15 drips per minute add up to almost 3 gallons of
water wasted per day, 65 gallons wasted per month, and 788 gallons wasted per
year!
Keep showers to 5 minutes or less in length. A five-minute shower takes 10 to 25
gallons of water.
Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator. Then you won't have to run tap water
to cool it.
Use a broom to sweep your driveway, garage, or sidewalk instead of using water.
Use a bucket of water to wash your bike or the family car and rinse quickly with a
hose.
Water your lawn in the evening or in the early morning to avoid evaporation. Be
careful to water only the lawn and not the sidewalk or street.
Use water only when you need it. Don't leave water running; be sure to turn it off
when you are finished.
7 Words in Context Target word in context I recognize Word parts Means Means Other words I know with these word parts Definition by analysis 8 9