Lesson Essential Questions
1. Why do we need to understand the chemical composition of water and its properties as we learn to be stewards of our local rivers?
2. In what ways does the water cycle provide fresh water around the earth?
3. What would happen if the water cycle stopped?
Vaughan's River Kids have spent the first few weeks of school studying the water molecule and its properties, states of matter, watersheds, and the water cycle. We learned that water is a polar molecule comprised of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Because of its polarity, water has some special properties such as: cohesion, adhesion, surface tension, and capillary action. We also learned about the five states of matter, but we discovered that water is found in only three states. Sublimation, evaporation, melting, freezing, condensation, and deposition are all processes by which matter can change states, and we did several experiments to see how these processes worked. Once we had grasped the basics of water and its properties and states of matter, we were ready to jump into the water cycle. Playing the game, "Blues Travelers" we made water cycle bracelets as we followed a drop of water's journey through the water cycle. We also conducted online research on the water cycle and had fun building terrariums that helped us understand the cycle even more thoroughly. We also enjoyed a watershed hike and River's Alive cleanup project that allowed us to get outside and take a look at the river will be assessing this year. Our next topic of study will be the benthic macroinvertebrates that inhabit streams and what they can tell us about the overall health of the stream.