H2O
H2O
Objectives
In this unit, students will learn about the properties of water. Students will also discover freshwater and saltwater properties and their similarities and differences. Students will also engage in various activities to help them understand the concepts of watersheds and wetlands, as well as the adaptations of aquatic organisms. Students will:
- describe the physical and chemical properties of water.
- identify the similarities and differences between freshwater and saltwater systems.
- explain how adaptations of aquatic organisms help them to survive in their environments.
- trace the stages of the water cycle.
- identify and define a watershed.
- analyze the role of wetlands and their importance to watersheds.
Essential Questions
Related Unit and Lesson Plans
Related Materials & Resources
The possible inclusion of commercial websites below is not an implied endorsement of their products, which are not free, and are not required for this lesson plan.
- Water Science for Schools
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/
- Water Lesson Plans (aligned to Pennsylvania standards)
http://sfr.psu.edu/youth/sftrc/lesson-plans/water/6-8
- Performance Assessments student handouts (S-8-8_Performance Assessments.docx)
Formative Assessment
-
View
Multiple-Choice Items:
1. Which statement describes how water allows insects, such as the water strider shown below, to walk on it?
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Water_strider.jpg
A
Water is a good solvent.
B
Water has capillary action.
C
Water has a high surface tension.
D
Liquid water has a higher density than ice.
2. Which property of water is shown by the curved surface of water on the penny in the picture?
A
Boiling point
B
Heat capacity
C
Surface tension
D
Electrical conductivity
3. About how much of Earth’s surface is covered in water?
A
30 percent
B
50 percent
C
70 percent
D
90 percent
4. Which correctly describes water’s composition?
A
One atom of oxygen is bonded to two atoms of hydrogen.
B
Two atoms of oxygen are bonded to one atom of hydrogen.
C
One atom of oxygen is bonded to one atom of hydrogen.
D
Two atoms of oxygen are bonded to two atoms of hydrogen.
5. Which statement best describes why water is referred to as the “universal solvent”?
A
Water molecules tend to stick to one another.
B
Water can change from a gas into a liquid or solid.
C
Water can dissolve more substances than any other liquid.
D
Water can fall to the Earth in the form of rain, hail, snow, or fog.
6. What part of the water cycle is represented when you study how water moves across the Earth’s surface?
A
Condensation
B
Evaporation
C
Transpiration
D
Surface runoff
7. Why are freshwater organisms unable to survive in salt water?
A
They cannot swim in salt water.
B
They are unable to see in salt water.
C
The salt makes water leave their bodies.
D
Salt water lowers their body temperature.
8. What happens during transpiration?
A
Water changes from liquid water into water vapor.
B
Water soaks into the ground through the soil and rock layers.
C
Precipitation runs over the surface of the land, flowing downhill.
D
Water is released from the leaves of plants into the atmosphere.
9. Which stage of the water cycle is represented by the letter A in the diagram below?
A
Condensation
B
Evaporation
C
Precipitation
D
Surface runoff
10. Why do many aquatic organisms have streamlined bodies?
A
So they can lay eggs in the water.
B
So they can hide themselves from predators.
C
So they can move more easily through the water.
D
So they can breathe oxygen underwater.
11. Freshwater conducts electricity better than saltwater.
A
True
B
False
12. Freshwater has a greater density than saltwater.
A
True
B
False
Multiple-Choice Answer Key:
1. C
2. C
3. C
4. A
5. C
6. D
7. C
8. D
9. B
10. C
11. B
12. B
Short-Answer Items
13. Describe a watershed and how it relates to the water cycle.
14. Describe some of the properties of freshwater and saltwater systems. How are they different?
Short-Answer Key and Scoring Rubrics:
13. Describe a watershed and how it relates to the water cycle.
A watershed is a body of land that drains into a river, lake, or other body of water. Watersheds are related to the water cycle in many ways. When it precipitates (rains) the water falls in various locations. The path that this fallen water travels to drains into a river, lake, or other body of water, and is known as the watershed. When water evaporates into the atmosphere, it condenses into clouds, and the cycle continues.
Points
Description
2
- Student gives a clear definition of a watershed.
- Student clearly explains how a watershed relates to the water cycle. Student uses words such as precipitation and evaporation.
1
- Student gives the definition of a watershed, but does not describe how it relates to the water cycle.
- Student describes the water cycle, but does not relate it to a watershed.
0
- Student does not give the definition of a watershed.
- Student does not explain how watersheds relate to the water cycle.
14. Describe some of the properties of freshwater and saltwater systems. How are they different?
- Saltwater is water with a dissolved salt concentration of more than 1%.
- Freshwater is water with a dissolved salt concentration of less than 1%.
- Saltwater is denser, conducts electricity better because of its ionic content, and chemically has more ingredients.
- Saltwater covers more of the Earth than freshwater.
- Saltwater has a lower freezing point than freshwater.
- Humans can drink freshwater, but not saltwater.
- Freshwater has a higher boiling point.
- Freshwater and saltwater are both found naturally on Earth.
Points
Description
2
- Student describes properties of freshwater systems.
- Student describes properties of saltwater systems.
- Student uses comparisons that show clear understanding of the differences between the two systems.
1
- Student provides some of the properties of freshwater and saltwater properties, but does not explain the differences.
- Student provides some of the differences between freshwater and saltwater properties, but does not provide the properties of each.
- Student uses comparisons showing some understanding of the differences between the two water systems, but some information is missing or incorrect.
0
- Student does not provide any properties of freshwater systems.
- Student does not provide any properties of saltwater systems.
- Student does not list any of the differences between the two.
Performance Assessment A:
Provide students with copies of the directions for Performance Assessment A (S-8-8_Performance Assessments.docx). Students will write a persuasive letter to the mayor explaining wetlands and their importance to watersheds.
Performance Assessment A Scoring Rubric:
Points
Description
4
- Student clearly explains what a wetland is and gives examples.
- Student explains all three of these wetland roles:
o prevents flooding
o prevents silt from entering waterways
o protects the watershed from pollutants.
- Student clearly relates wetlands to watersheds.
- Student’s letter gives at least three reasons why the wetland should not be destroyed.
3
- Student clearly explains what a wetland is.
- Student explains two of the wetland roles.
- Student relates wetlands to watersheds.
- Student’s letter gives two reasons why the wetland should not be destroyed.
2
- Student explains what a wetland is.
- Student explains one of the wetland roles.
- Student states that a wetland is part of a watershed, but does not explain how.
- Student’s letter gives one reason why the wetland should not be destroyed.
1
- Student’s explanation of a wetland is vague or incomplete.
- Student states that wetlands are important but does not give any clear reasons why.
- Student does not correctly relate wetlands to watersheds.
- Student’s letter says the wetland should not be destroyed, but does not give any clear reasons why not.
0
- Student demonstrates lack of understanding or does not attempt to complete the assessment.
Performance Assessment b:
Provide students with copies of the directions for Performance Assessment B (S-8-8_Performance Assessments.docx). Students will write an advertisement selling fresh water following the guidelines explained in the directions.
Performance Assessment B Scoring Rubric:
Points
Description
4
- Student includes at least five properties of water. Includes labeled diagrams or pictures that clearly illustrate the properties of water.
- Student states that water covers 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, but fresh water is only a small percentage of that. States that fresh water can be found in lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds. Explains that the bodies of organisms are mostly water.
- Student’s advertisement clearly explains why we need fresh water on Earth, and gives examples.
- Student presents ad in the form of a poster, video, or PowerPoint presentation. Presentation is very well-organized, detailed, and persuasive for selling fresh water.
3
- Student includes four properties of water. Includes diagrams or pictures that illustrate the properties of water. Completes four of the requirements.
- Student states that there is not much fresh water on Earth, AND states that fresh water can be found in bodies of water.
- Student’s advertisement explains why we need fresh water on Earth and gives one example.
- Student presents the ad in the form of a poster, video, or PowerPoint presentation. Presentation is somewhat organized, detailed, and persuasive for selling fresh water.
2
- Student includes three properties of water. Includes diagrams or pictures that illustrate the properties of water, but they are not labeled or are labeled incorrectly.
- Student states that there is not much fresh water on Earth, OR states that fresh water can be found in lakes, streams, rivers, and ponds.
- Student’s advertisement explains why we need fresh water on Earth, but does not give any examples.
- Student presents the ad in the form of a poster, video, or PowerPoint presentation. Presentation is not very organized or persuasive for selling fresh water.
1
- Student includes two or fewer properties of water. Does not include any diagrams or pictures that illustrate the properties of water. Completes two of the requirements.
- Student does not show an understanding of where fresh water is found.
- Student’s advertisement does not clearly explain why we need fresh water on Earth or give any examples.
- Student does not present the ad in the form of a poster, video, or PowerPoint presentation. Presentation is not organized or persuasive for selling fresh water.
0
- Student demonstrates lack of understanding or does not attempt to complete the assessment.
DRAFT 05/16/2011
