Water Resource

“Water: The Incredible Resource”
4th Grade Lesson
Michigan Farm Bureau Promotion and Education
Michigan Farm Bureau

7373 W. Saginaw Hwy.
P.O. Box 30960
Lansing, MI 48909-8460
P&E Stock #262 1-800-292-2680, ext. 3202
Water : The Incredible Resource
4TH GRADE LESSON
Presented by
Members of Michigan Farm Bureau
Written by: Laurie Isley
Materials/Actions Time Allotted
Introduction
2-5 minutes This lesson teaches children about water quality, water use, and the water
cycle.
1. Introduce yourselves and show where you are from (use map or
hand).
2. Today we are going to talk about water. Water is one of the most
important resources. Most of our planet is covered with water. Today
we will learn the stages water goes through forming a cycle, the
importance of keeping our water clean, and the partnership between
agriculture and clean water.
3. Why do we need water? How might a farmer use water? Expand on
how farmers use water.
I. Water Cycle
Distribute Water Cycle A. What is a cycle? A cycle is a recurring sequence of events.
Worksheet, scissors and gold tab.
Go through vocabulary words on the board

using posters.
B. Major parts in the water cycle includes:
1. Precipitation
2. Ground Water
3. Evaporation
4. Condensation
S:\P & E\Lessons\LESSONS\Water Lesson\Backup of Water Lesson.wbk

Students complete the Water Cycle Worksheet.
II. Types of water contamination
Natural contamination vs. artificial contamination
A. Soil – Erosion
1. Rocks – Add the rocks to the jar and place lid back on the jar
2. Sand – Add sand to the jar and place lid back on the jar
Shake both jars. Observe the jars
- Which is cleaner? Discuss how this type of action occurs
naturally
B. Other Contaminates
1. Tang – Add tang to one jar and place the lid on the jar
2. Vinegar – Add vinegar to the jar and place the lid on the jar
Shake both jars. Observe the jars
-What do you see – the Tang – is that bad – no
-Can you see the vinegar? – no- can you smell it? Is that harmful?-
yes
III. Measuring Contamination - parts per million (ppm)

A. How is contamination measured? Testing water
B. Parts per million (ppm) is the method used to determine if a
contaminate is at a dangerous level.
C. Use the provide chart to explain parts per million
D. Have the students place 10 drops of water in the first compartment of
the tray.
1. Then add 10 drops of food coloring to the same tray.
2. Have the students clean the eyedropper
3. Take one drop from the first compartment and place it in the
second. Add

IV. Causes of Contamination
What causes contamination?
A. Households
1. Litter
2. waste
3. oil
B. Industry
C. Agriculture – fertilizer, animal waste
V. How agriculture helps keep water clean.

A. Waste management plans for livestock
B. Filter strips along rivers & ditches
C. Use minimal amounts of crop protectants
D. Leave residue on soil (cover crops) – conservation tillage
VI. Why water is important – Jug demonstration

 One jug of water represents all the water on earth.
 We will remove 1/3 cup from the jug, this 1/3 represents fresh water.
 Next we will take 12 tsp (4 Tablespoons) from the jug, this represents
glaciers/ polar ice.
 1 tsp removed from the jug represents ground water.
 1 tsp removed from the jug represents surface water.

“Water: The Incredible Resource”
4th Grade Kit Packing List
Based on 35 students per class
Each kit is designed for conducting two presentations.
Need:
 Water cycle activity sheet 70 copies

 Blue water cycle activity sheet 70 copies
 Lab sheets 70 copies
 White paper (half sheets)
 Gold claps for water cycle activity sheets
 Plastic Trays
 Watershed map
 Conservation pictures
 Global Positioning System map
 Jars with lids
 Jars with vinegar
 6 bags of: tang
stone
sand
 Plastic spoons
 Containers of food coloring one red and one blue
 Gallon jug
 Measuring cup
 Eye droppers
 Laminated pie chart of sources of contaminants
 Laminated lab sheet for demonstration
 Dry erase marker
 ¼ measuring cup
 Tablespoon
 Roll of paper towels
15
The Importance of Freshwater
Before demonstration: Fill a gallon jug with water, add 1-2 drops of blue food coloring.
1. Introduction: Farmers are careful to be good to the environment. We need to preserve our
resources. One of the most important resources is water. Most of our planet is covered with
water. The water found in freshwater lakes and rivers is an important drinking source for people
and animals.
2. Let me show you how limited our water supply is.
3. Hold up the gallon of water:

This gallon of water represents all the water on earth. Pour out 1/4 cup of water into plastic
cup. This 1/4 cup of water represents glaciers, ice caps and all the freshwater in the world.
4. Could I have a student volunteer to hold out their hand to help me demonstrate just how little of
the worlds water is available for us to use?
5. Take 2 drops of water from 1/4 cup of water and put in student volunteer's hand.
These 2 drops of water represent all the water in freshwater lakes and rivers that is available
for people and animals to use.
Water is an important resource and vital for people and animals. Using biodegradable
products made from agricultural products, like cornstarch packing peanuts, is one way to
help keep our water clean.
6. Conclusion: Food and fiber products are friendly to the environment. They can be recycled to
create useful products and they keep the land and water clean. You can do this demonstration at
home with their family, to show them just how little of the worlds water we can use. Thank you
for your attention and remember to help conserve our water.
Percentage of water location
(Information for presenters only)
The oceans 97.2% Saltwater lakes .008%
Glaciers/ice caps 2.0% Atmosphere .001%
Groundwater .62% (rain/humidity)
Freshwater lakes .009% All rivers 0001%
(like the bay)
Michigan Farm Bureau

Promotion and Education Department
7373 W. Saginaw Hwy.
P.O. Box 30960
Lansing, MI 48909
1-800-292-2680
Data Sheet for Parts Per Million (PPM)
Name: ___________________________
CUP NUMBER COLOR CONCENTRATION

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
1. When did the color disappear? Cup#
2. Which cup had 1 part per million (ppm) of food coloring?
3. What happened to the food coloring?
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Is there still food coloring in cup #7?
12
GPS MAP

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“Water: The Incredible Resource”

4th Grade Lesson

Michigan Farm Bureau Promotion and Education

Michigan Farm Bureau

Materials/Actions Time Allotted

Go through vocabulary words on the board

S:\P & E\Lessons\LESSONS\Water Lesson\Backup of Water Lesson.wbk

III. Measuring Contamination - parts per million (ppm)

S:\P & E\Lessons\LESSONS\Water Lesson\Backup of Water Lesson.wbk

V. How agriculture helps keep water clean.

VI. Why water is important – Jug demonstration

S:\P & E\Lessons\LESSONS\Water Lesson\Backup of Water Lesson.wbk

 Water cycle activity sheet 70 copies

2. Let me show you how limited our water supply is.

3. Hold up the gallon of water:

Michigan Farm Bureau

CUP NUMBER COLOR CONCENTRATION

1. When did the color disappear? Cup#

2. Which cup had 1 part per million (ppm) of food coloring?

3. What happened to the food coloring?

4. Is there still food coloring in cup #7?

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