SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Language Arts, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8)
PLEDGE
1 - Protection of Water, 2 - Human Right to Water
Introduction:
- With a partner or in a small group, have students brainstorm and list all of the ways we are fortunate when it comes to water (i.e., we just turn on the tap and water flows, we do not have to think about whether our water is clean or not, we seem to have an abundance of water, we can fish for our dinner, water is virtually free, etc.). Take up as a class.
Lesson:
- Ask students, Have you ever felt fortunate that something happened, only to find out there was an unfortunate repercussion?
- Read the story, Fortunately by Remy Charlip.
- Revisit the list created in the introduction. Tell students, Consider each of these ways that we are fortunate when we think about our water and how there is often a consequence/flipside. While we can turn on our tap and have water simply flow, others are not so fortunate.
- Have students write the consequence (unfortunately) of each point from the list (i.e., Fortunately, we are able to simple turn on our faucet to get clean drinking water. Unfortunately, many Indigenous communities are still under Boil Water Advisories and do not have access to clean drinking water). Students may need time to research each point.
Follow Up Activities:
- Have students create a page for a class book or create their own picture book (see related lesson, Fortunately (Create a Picture Book).