Guess the mystery water animal
Get students pumped up about saving water through games and posters.
Overview
Get students thinking about all the ways we (and our animal friends) use water. Students will learn how to use water wisely and spread the word about water conservation by creating posters with tips and ideas.
Instructions
What you'll need
- "Mystery water animals" slideshow
- "Mystery water animals" clues
- Poster paper
- Pencil crayons or markers
Guess the mystery water animals
- There are a lot of animals that live in or around water in B.C. Pull up the "Mystery water animals" slideshow. Have students guess the animal described on slides 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12. You can even have students draw a picture of the critter they are thinking of.
- Refer to the "Mystery water animals" clues as an answer key.
- To reveal the answer, flip to the next slide. Were the students able to guess correctly?
The water we use every day
- Now that we’ve named different animals that live in or around water in B.C., it’s time to brainstorm all the ways we use water at home and at school. Write them up on the board.
- Using hand washing as an example, have students pair up and act out the steps they take to wash their hands. Did anyone leave the tap running? Can anyone think of what we can do to use less water when washing our hands?
Waste not
- Refer back to the list you brainstormed and discuss other ways to save water. For example, don’t leave the water running when brushing your teeth, make sure the dishwasher is full before turning it on, and don’t use more water than you need in the bath.
- Get the creative juices flowing by making posters with tips on saving water. Share the finished product with the class, display them for the whole school to see, or send them home to pass the message along to their family.
Modify or extend this activity
- Have students create signs to remind others to turn off the tap when washing their hands. Post them in school washrooms and near classroom sinks.
- Use posters to create a bulletin board outside the classroom. Take photos to share with parents and families.
Curriculum Fit
Our activities provide a link to the core competencies of the curriculum. The activities engage students in sharing information, working with others and presenting information. They challenge your students to consider their role in the world around them and how to make a difference.
Core competencies:
Communication
- Connect and engage with others
- Acquire, interpret and present information
Thinking
- Creative thinking: generating and developing ideas
Social responsibility
- Contribute to community and caring for the environment
The activities also connect to a variety of grade-specific curricular competencies and content in a variety of subjects including Science, Social Studies and English Language Arts.
Teaching Notes
BC Hydro’s environmental responsibility
BC Hydro uses the power of falling water to create clean, reliable electricity. BC Hydro has become a leading sustainable energy company by producing and delivering electricity, in environmentally and socially responsible ways. Check out Environmental responsibility for ways BC Hydro is protecting and sharing the resource.
Young people can take action
Young people can act at school, in their community and at home to protect and care for water. We can empower them with a deeper understanding of how essential water is to life and encourage them to share this message to respect, protect and honour water.
Assessment
- Assess students on their ability to work together in pairs and as a whole class, sharing ideas and listening to each other.
- Assess posters for students’ understanding of ways to save water.
Downloads
Select the materials you require for this activity or download all
77.8 kb • pdf
1.1 mb • pdf
