Summary
Overview
In this lesson plan, students investigate different types of water bodies on Earth by making models of lakes, oceans, and rivers inside an aluminum pan using various materials and real water. By describing each water body and sharing their observations about their differences and similarities, students will be able to identify the typical characteristics of each water body.
Learning Objectives
- Identify different bodies of water from pictures or maps
- Describe how water bodies differ from each other
- Develop a model representing a specific water body
NGSS Alignment
This lesson helps students prepare for these Next Generation Science Standards Performance Expectations:- 2-ESS2-2. Develop a model to represent the shapes and kinds of land and bodies of water in an area.
- 2-ESS2-3. Obtain information to identify where water is found on Earth and that it can be solid or liquid.
| Science & Engineering Practices | Disciplinary Core Ideas | Crosscutting Concepts | |||
| Science & Engineering Practices | Developing and Using Models.
Develop a model to represent patterns in the natural world
Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information. Communicate information or design ideas with others in oral form using models that provide detail about scientific ideas. |
Disciplinary Core Ideas | ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in the Earth's Surface Processes.
Water is found in the ocean, rivers, lakes, and ponds. Water exists as solid ice and in liquid form. |
Crosscutting Concepts | Patterns.
Patterns in the natural world can be observed. |
Materials
- Aluminum pan or another shallow dish
- Sand
- Pebbles
Note: If you do not have any sand or pebbles, you can substitute these with other materials such as rice, grains, Lego®, or blocks. If you use other materials, make sure they are not able to dissolve in water or float. - Water
- Water jug
- Cup or bottle with a narrow opening
- Aluminum foil
- Paper towels
- Printed example water body images
Background Information for Teachers
This section contains a quick review for teachers of the science and concepts covered in this lesson.There is lots of water on our planet! About 71% of the Earth's surface is covered by water. Any significant accumulation of water on a planet's surface is called a body of water or water body. Water bodies range from huge oceans to tiny ponds, and from large rivers to small streams. The table below lists different types of water bodies and includes their definitions based on Wikipedia. You will find a more comprehensive list in the referenced article in the Additional Background section.
| Type of water body | Definition [cited from Wikipedia] |
|---|---|
| Ocean | "A major body of salty water." |
| Lake | "A body of water, usually freshwater, of relatively large size contained inside a body of land." |
| Pond | "A body of water smaller than a lake, often of artificial origin. (Note: a pond is similar to a lake but smaller.)" |
| River | "A natural waterway usually formed by water derived from either precipitation or glacial meltwater, which flows from higher ground to lower ground." |
| Stream | "A body of water with a detectable current, confined within a bed and banks. (Note: a stream is similar to a river but smaller.)" |
| Puddle | "A small accumulation of water on a surface, usually the ground." |
All these water bodies are distinct from one another in various ways. They can hold freshwater or saltwater, vary in size or shape, and have different water movements. The table below provides a non-exhaustive list of some typical characteristics of different water bodies.
| Type of water body | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Ocean |
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| Lake |
|
| River |
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In this lesson plan, students investigate different types of water bodies on Earth by making models of lakes, oceans, and rivers inside an aluminum pan using various materials and real water. By describing each water body and sharing their observations about their differences and similarities, students will be able to identify the typical characteristics of each water body.
