Lesson Plans
Each one-page Blue Water Schools Network lesson plan begins with a piece of media (a book, image, video, article, documentary etc.) which acts as a springboard into an engaging lesson or activity. Our goal is to do the prep for you, so you can just print and go. Whatever your lesson planning needs, we're here for you!
Book/Story
Drop: An Adventure Through The Water Cycle
Follow Drop's adventure through the water cycle in a unique and engaging perspective of the water cycle!SUBJECTS
Music
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6)
Pledge
Image
Giant Plastic Tap
Use this provocative image to drive home the urgency of getting plastic production under control by making sure we #TurnOffTheTap.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Language Arts, Media, Social Studies, Visual Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
3 - Plastic Harm to Water
Article/Text
Humanity's Water Footprint
Students learn that the majority of their water footprint is through choices made outside of the home.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Language Arts, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Poem
Poetry in Voice: Declaration of Intent
This powerful poem by poet Rita Wong, underscores the importance of water and how it is the foundation of life, reminding us of the harm we have caused water and a call to action.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Language Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Video
Strawpocalypse
This powerful video and accompanying spoken word drives home the impact one small straw can make and is a call to action for all.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Language Arts, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
3 - Plastic Harm to Water
Book/Story
The Water Princess
Based on the childhood experiences of Georgie Badiel getting water for her village, these lessons help students understand the challenges and inequities faced by children who live without access to clean water.SUBJECTS
Dance, Drama, Geography/History, Language Arts, Math, Phys. Ed., Science, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
2 - Human Right to Water
Book/Story
Treaty Words: For as Long as the Rivers Flow
SUBJECTS
Drama, Geography/History, Language Arts, Music, Science, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water, 2 - Human Right to Water
Image
Walking for Water
Students learn about the average distance women in rural Africa and Asia walk to collect water and compare the data to their own access to clean water.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Math, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
2 - Human Right to Water
Book/Story
Water Dance
SUBJECTS
Dance, Language Arts, Music
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8)
Pledge
Book/Story
Blue Floats Away
An engaging and gentle introduction to the water cycle and climate change.SUBJECTS
Dance, Drama, Language Arts, Math, Science, Visual Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Video
Nature Is Speaking: Water
Through this short video, narrated by Penelope Cruz in the voice and perspective of water, students examine and discuss issues surrounding water from different perspectives.SUBJECTS
Dance, Language Arts, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Video
The Story of Bottled Water
Learn about the history of plastic water bottles and how this industry has attached tap water for their own gain.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Language Arts, Math, Media, Social Studies, Visual Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
3 - Plastic Harm to Water
Article/Text
UN Launches Drive to Highlight Environmental Cost of Staying Fashionable
Find out the startling facts about how much water is used in the fashion industry and how we must do better.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Language Arts, Math, Media, Social Studies, Visual Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Video
What is a Watershed?
Learn what a watershed is, what it's made up of and how we can all take care of it.SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Image
Climate Visuals
The world's only evidence-based and impact focused climate photography resource
SUBJECTS
Visual Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Book/Story
Fortunately
Students learn that with every privilege they enjoy regarding water, there is a consequence or a flipside, which they are encouraged to explore.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
Article/Text
India’s millet revival: How the once-neglected seed is making a comeback
Learn how millet is making a comeback and a difference for water consumption in agriculture.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Language Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Music
Nibi (Water) Song
Students learn the story of how Doreen Day came to write the Nibi (Water) Song, told by Beatrice Menase Kwe Jackson, Migizi Clan. Students can sing along to the Nibi Song to show their appreciation of water.SUBJECTS
Music
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Book/Story
NO MORE PLASTIC
Students learn about the harm our plastic waste causes to marine life and what they can do to help.SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Media, Phys. Ed., Science, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3)
Pledge
3 - Plastic Harm to Water
Article/Text
Public art draws attention to water pollution problems
How public art can help raise awareness of how we need to take better care of what goes down our storm drains.SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Media, Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water, 3 - Plastic Harm to Water
Book/Story
The Earth Book
Simple ideas to show children how they can do little things everyday to make a big difference.SUBJECTS
Drama, Language Arts, Media, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Interactive
Tip Tank Online Game
Play an online matching game that reveals tips on how to conserve water.SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Video
What Is Groundwater?
An introduction to groundwater: what it is, where it comes from, and where it goes.SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Phys. Ed., Science
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Image
Water Heroes
Use this simple poster to show students that heroes are everyday people and that the small actions they do everyday make them Water Heroes as well.SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Media, Visual Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Video
Storm Drains
What are storm drains? Where does the rain that falls on our streets go? An engaging video that answers these questions and gives easy ideas on how to take care of storm drains.SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Media, Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3)
Pledge
1 - Protection of water
Book
Hey, Water!
A simple and engaging story of a young girl expressing her thanks to water. The book explores where water can be found, various bodies of water, the different forms of water, along with information about the water cycle included on the back pages. Perfect for early Primary!SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3)
Pledge
1 - Protection of water
Book/Story
Dear Earth... From Your Friends in Room 5
After reading this lovely story about a class corresponding with Earth, students then write their own letters corresponding with Water. Included is a penpal lesson with an older class responding in the voice of Water.SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Primary (K-3) / Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Image
Plastic Pollution Lifecycle
A powerful image that traces the stages of the life of plastic, the resulting pollution, and begs the question, "Is the environmental cost of single use plastics worth it?"SUBJECTS
Language Arts, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
3 - Plastic Harm to Water
Podcast
Is Sea Water Desalination the Solution for the World’s Water Problems?
An introduction to water stress, along with an explanation of desalination, its impact on the environment, and its possibilities as a solution to water stress.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Language Arts, Science
GRADE LEVEL
Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Article/Text
Mapping Water Stress Across The Middle East
Learn about why Middle Eastern countries are among the most water stressed in the world.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
GRADE LEVEL
Junior (4-6) / Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water
Podcast
How Much Plastic Do You Eat Everyday? The Science Behind Microplastics!
Did you know that each of us consumes plastic everyday? This podcast explains what microplastics are, where they come from, how we ingest them, and some things we can all do to help.SUBJECTS
Geography/History, Health, Language Arts, Science
GRADE LEVEL
Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
3 - Plastic Harm to Water
Image
Ocean Acidification
SUBJECTS
Science
GRADE LEVEL
Intermediate (7-8) / Senior (9-12)
Pledge
1 - Protection of Water