Students simulate a watershed using paper and paint. They help to construct a watershed model and observe how it functions to conclude that a watershed filters, absorbs, and stores water. Students participate in several activities and investigations as they use their senses to examine properties of water, such as surface tension and water's capacity to act as a solvent and heat absorber. Students write a haiku about water. The class also listens to the first chapter of The Search for Delicious, by Natalie Babbitt.
Water is essential to all living things.
Students conduct demonstrations and experiments to determine ways in which water is used by plants. Students observe the results of capillary action in a plant and conclude that water keeps the stalks of nonwoody plants rigid. Students determine that some seeds are dispersed by water and that water is present in nectar, which attracts pollinators. Students construct marshmallow models of various molecules, including water, carbon dioxide, sugar, and oxygen, to become aware of the process of photosynthesis. Students simulate the body coverings of various aquatic animals.