Freshwater and Saltwater Sources
TEKS Objective
The student is expected to identify and compare the properties of natural sources of freshwater and saltwater.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that the natural world includes Earth materials.
Science Background
Where is Earth’s Water Located? US Geological Survey (website) – The Earth is doing a balancing act with its water. Characteristics of Earth’s water sources are summarized here.
Where is Earth’s Water Located?
US Geological Survey, Water Resources of Georgia, water.usgs.gov/edu
Water Basics: US Geological Survey (website) - Information about water including where it is located on Earth, how much is found in the ground, lakes and rivers. This site also contains several links for further investigation of this essential resource.
Water Basics
US Geological Survey, Water Resources of Georgia, water.usgs.gov/edu
Signature Lesson
Freshwater/Saltwater Egg-periment: Partnerships for Reform Through Investigative Science and Mathematics (PDF) – Use the first half of this lesson to enable students identify and compare the properties of salt and freshwater.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Freshwater vs. Saltwater: Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (PDF) - This lesson includes several demonstrations that reveal that freshwater is less dense that salt water.
Freshwater vs. Saltwater
Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, www.intrepidmuseum.org
Water is Very Special: US Environmental Protection Agency (PDF) - Students learn that water is used for drinking, cooking, cleaning and having fun.
Water is Very Special
US Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Splish, Splash: Water’s Journey to My Glass: National Geographic (website): Use maps to explore your local sources of drinking water.
Splish, Splash: Water’s Journey to My Glass
National Geographic, www.nationalgeographic.com
Exploring Density with Salt and Fresh Water: Windows to the Universe (website) - Students investigate the interaction of fresh and salt water in this lesson, which also can lead into a discussion of density.
Exploring Density with Salt and Fresh Water
Windows to the Universe, www.windows2universe.org
Assessment Ideas
Have students devise an experiment to investigate the amount of salt that can be dissolved in hot water, compared to cold water.
Literature Connections
Sources of Water. Olien, Rebecca (ISBN: 0-736- 83699-3)
A Drop of Water. Wick, Walter (ISBN: 0-590-22197-3)
Saving Water. Olien, Rebecca (ISBN: 0-736- 83699-3)
Water. Flanagan, Alice (ISBN: 0-7565-0038-9)
Additional Resources
Classroom Activities and Demonstrations: Windows to the Universe (website) - Scroll down for many hands-on classroom science activities focusing on water.
Classroom Activities and Demonstrations
Windows to the Universe, www.windows2universe.org
Earth's Fresh Water Resources: eHow.com (website) - Information about the sources of fresh water on our planet, with links to additional related content.
Earth's Fresh Water Resources
by Michael Monet, eHow.com
Drinking Water & Ground Water Kids’ Stuff: US Environmental Protection Agency (website) - Water-related activities and classroom lessons for kids and teachers, by grade level.
Drinking Water & Ground Water Kids’ Stuff
US Environmental Protection Agency, water.epa.gov
Freshwater Classroom Lessons: US Environmental Protection Agency (PDF) - Set of lessons exploring the science of water, with connections to social studies, language arts, and math.
Freshwater Classroom Lessons
US Environmental Protection Agency, www.epa.gov
TEKS Navigation
Grade 2
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