Water Awareness & Conservation

Water is Life: Use it Wisely

By Holly, Luna, Sara and Susan

As educators of the next generation, we are concerned with the conservation of our natural resources.  Water is one of our most valuable resources and the availability of drinking water is alluding crisis around the world.  In the United States alone, the average person uses about 80-100 gallons of water per day in the home and even more is used in yards and pools, for electricity, fuel economy, airline travel and industry.  Here we offer resources to other educators, students and members of the community to help identify and address these issues, both globally and locally.

Begin by watching this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQTXarBZApM

http://oasisdesign.net/
This is a website on how to apply sustainable living, water re-cycling and conservation into your life. It can lead you into new ideas and insight about water! You can learn how to make conscious desicions in your life that make a difference.

http://www.oaecwater.org/
If you are looking for a resource on watershed and community awareness and education, this is the place to go.  Here you will find a plethora of information on the local, state and national watershed current topics.

http://www.watersavingtips.org/index.html
This site compiles Santa Cruz county-wide water conservation tips, rebate programs and events.  It also has a PDF downloadable activity book for students, which focuses on local water sources and activities to monitor one’s own water usage.

http://www.soquelcreekwater.org/content/water-education-program
The Soquel Creek Water District provides a FREE Water Education Program to schools and parents in Soquel, Capitola, Aptos and La Selva Beach. This program includes speakers, locally-focused classroom materials as well as teacher training through the local Project WET program.

(http://www.thirteen.org/h2o/about.html)
Planet H2O is a portal for students and educators to investigate water issues around the world. The site has interactive activities, video clips, water career interviews and lesson plans. While the conservation lesson plan is targeted for older students (grades 7-10), it could be adapted for elementary students.

http://www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/Education/LearningProgram/Captain_Plop.htm
Captain Plop’s Water Saving Mission is an online picture book aimed at teaching 4-8 year-olds about water conservation around the home: The follow-up book (also online) follows Captain Plop’s exploration of water desalination.

 

 http://www.zunzuntunes.com/water.php
The shows provided connect students through music and skits, while incorporating instruments (many from Latin America) and audience participation.  There is a focus on water conservation, watershed, water reclamation, water pollution, and natural history of aquatic creatures.  Although this specific group needs to be hired, perhaps teachers can utilize this format to create their own.  The lesson could easily be cross-curricular (arts, social studies, science).
(Have been hired by the Soquel Creek Water District and other local organizations.)

http://www.walkingforwater.eu/
With help from this page, schools can organize their own awareness and fundraising event. Students learn about global water issues, and then get sponsored by friends and family to walk 6km carrying 6kg of water. Schools choose a project to fund with money raised and watch project develop online. Site states that schools are free to use the provided manuals to implement own design of idea.

http://water.org/learn-about-the-water-crisis/lessonplan/
This organization created a curriculum for World Water Day and incorporates elementary, middle and high school levels. The larger units address global water issues, and cover a broad scope of subjects, including English, science and technology, and social sciences like geography, civics and economics. Lesson plans are free and aligned with national standards.

http://www.rcdsantacruz.org/pages/programs/watershed-education.php
Related to watershed education in Santa Cruz, teachers can receive a free hands-on watershed activity guide for classrooms and field trips. Watershed Cruzin': An Activity Guide to Santa Cruz County Watersheds makes it easier for fourth through twelfth grade teachers to help students explore their local watersheds using twenty-five classroom and field-based activities. Some activity materials are available in Spanish. Must contact the Santa Cruz County Resource Conservation District to receive guide.

http://sccounty01.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/eh/Water_Resources/water_conservation.htm
The homepage for Santa Cruz County water conservation ordinance, this site provides access to rules and regulations governing the county’s water conservation policy adopted in 2003.  While it is especially helpful to business and home owners, it also shares the efforts of the community to reduce consumption and conserve water.

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/water-conservation-tips/
The water conservation tips provided by National Geographic estimate the amount of water you use from taps, the toilet, shower, laundry and doing dishes.  It provides tips to cut down these estimates and presents statistics that teachers, students and community members in general can visualize.  The page also includes information about water used in yards and pools, diet, electricity, fuel economy, airline travel and industry.

http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/kids/
Water conservation tips are included in the games and activities provided by this website.  Also included are links to a virtual water saving home, project WET (water education for teachers), mission H2O (an interactive game that encourages viewers to explore water saving tips for all rooms in their house) and Waitakere Water Ambassador’ Kids Club.  

All the Water in the World by George Ella Lyon, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson
This book is a book kids will respond to immediately due to it’s creative illustration and connection to the water cycle. Recommended K-5.

One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss, illustrated by Rosemary Woods
This book is part of a collection of “CitizenKid” books that help inform students about how to be a “global citizen” and take care of the world. It provides students with a perspective on the power of water from the macro to micro-levels. Recommended K-5.

Why Should I Save Water? by Jen Green, illustrated by Mike Gordon
Part of the “Why Should I?” book series, this book shows children why clean water is such a valuable resource.  They learn how to avoid wasting water with an interesting story and colorful illustrations. Recommended K-2.

Water (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) by Alexandra Fix
This book targets older children and not only touches on the importance of water but how we get it to our homes, school, etc...from lakes and rivers.  It also covers where water goes once it is poured down the drain and how we can reduce water waste.  Recommended grade 3-6.

Thanks for educating yourself!