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Water Resources and the Role of the Independent Sector

Unit of 4 lessons

6th-8th Grade

Subjects:

Library / Technology, Philanthropy, Science and Social Studies

Key Words/Concepts click to view

Lesson 1 :	PHIL:	3 genOn; Common Good; Commons; Environmental Stewardship; LEAGUE Wildcard Lesson: Environment
	SOC:	10 genOn; 4 genOn; Environment; Inquiry; Scarcity; Water
Lesson 2 :	PHIL:	Commons; Environmental Stewardship; LEAGUE Wildcard Lesson: Environment; Stewardship
	SCI:	Adaptation; Ecosystems; Environment
	SOC:	10 genOn; 4 genOn; Adaptation; Aswan Dam; Colorado River Basin; Compare/Contrast; Ecosystems; Environment; Geography; Government; Industry; Natural Resources
Lesson 3 :	PHIL:	Common Good; Environmental Stewardship; LEAGUE Wildcard Lesson: Environment; Stewardship
	SOC:	10 genOn; 4 genOn; Adaptation; Analyze/Interpret; Economics; Environment; Natural Resources; Water
Lesson 4 :	PHIL:	Community; Environmental Stewardship; LEAGUE Wildcard Lesson: Environment; Service Plan; Social Action; Stewardship
	SOC:	10 genOn; 4 genOn; Adaptation; Citizenship/Civic Engagement; Civic Responsibility/Virtue; Economics; Environment; Natural Resources; Public Policy; Water

Unit Purpose:

Water is an essential element for life as we know it on earth. We know that the amount of water on the earth is finite. It is not an infinite resource nor is it strictly a renewable resource. We, as inhabitants of the planet, are constantly using and reusing the water we have. We know that the amount of water on the earth is the same now as it was two thousand years ago and beyond. The big difference between now and past millenniums is the amount of water per person, distribution of the water in relation to our ever increasing population and the quality of the water at our disposal. This unit will direct students to study these issues and to understand the role government(s), business and industry, the independent and family sectors play in preserving our water resources. The purpose of this unit is to enable students to distinguish between the roles of government, business, and the private sector in preserving our water resources.

Unit Objectives:

The learner will:

identify the ways we affect water supply and quality.
identify the role government, business, the independent/non-profit, and family sectors play in water conservation.
compare and contrast the different roles each of the four sectors play.
identify ways private citizens have influenced government and business in their decisions and practices related to water supply and quality.
use case studies to determine the effects dams have on the ecosystem of an area.
propose solutions to the problems of water supply and water quality.
define stewardship as a trust of common resources held by a community for citizens and apply the definition to water resources and the local, state, regional, and world communities.

Service Experience:

Although lessons in this unit contain service project examples, decisions about service plans and implementation should be made by students, as age appropriate.

Students will prepare water conservation posters to hang in their community and school. They will also launch a campaign to conserve water in their homes. The students will select a water conservation organization, contact that organization, and determine the type of aid they can give to the organization. Students will also develop a home action plan to conserve water and enhance water quality.

Unit Assessment:

This unit may be assessed on a lesson by lesson basis. The final project(s) may also be used as assessment.

School/Home Connection:

There are school/home connections in Lessons One, Two, and Four.

Notes for Teaching:

The Web sites provided will make this unit rather easy to make preparations. Be sure that the students have a good background in the vocabulary used in the unit.