Activity Introduction

Quick summary: In this prior learning activity students use a flowchart to show what they know about the flow of water to its consumption and disposal.

Key lessons and understandings of activity:

  • Students use a flowchart to map the course of their water usage.

Australian Curriculum Mapping 

Content descriptions:

Year 5 Science

  • With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be (ACSIS231)
  • Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect peoples’ lives (ACSHE083)

Year 6 Science

  • With guidance, pose questions to clarify practical problems or inform a scientific investigation, and predict what the findings of an investigation might be (ACSIS232)
  • Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve problems that directly affect peoples’ lives (ACSHE100)

Syllabus Outcomes: ST3-7PW, ST3-4WS. 

Topic: Water

Year levels: 5 and 6

Indoor or outdoor activity: Indoor

Duration of activity: 15 -20 mins.

Learning areas addressed: Science, Geography.

Teacher input: Bring together what students know in a single flow chart.

Resources needed: Writing materials, whiteboard or smartboard.

Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.

Worksheets

Teacher Worksheet

Teacher preparation

Use this activity to find out what students already know and if they have any misconceptions about water. You may wish to keep the activity so it can be reviewed and changed by students reflecting their new understanding.

Activity outline

Review with students how a flow chart is designed.

Ask students to design a flow chart that tracks the flow of water from its source, e.g., from a dam to the way they as individuals use water and the disposal of waste water. The flow chart can have as many boxes as they wish but they only have a specific amount of allocated time (eg., 5 or 10 minutes). The flow chart will need to have:

1. The source of the water.

2. The passage of the water before it gets to the student.

3. What the water is used for.

4. And if some of the water is disposed of, where does it go?

Once completed, use a whiteboard or smartboard to compile a single flow chart using the students' ideas.

 

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