Focus Question
How can we stop wasting water at home and at school?

Activity Synopsis
The learners will observe and practice ways to conserve water while they are brushing their teeth and washing their hands

Time Frame
30 minutes (1 activity)

Learner Objectives
The learner will be able to:

• demonstrate two ways to conserve water

• 1 bucket
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 bottle or bar of soap
• sink
• 1 cup
• The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen; ISBN number 0590403605

1. Discuss with students different things we use water for at school and at home. List student responses on a chart.
   
2. Ask students if they think we will ever run out of water. After students share their responses, show them the diagram of a waterworks in The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. Point out the reservoir and explain that if people use too much water, it will become empty.
   
3. Discuss with children possible ways to keep from wasting water. Tell students that you are about to show them two ways that they can save water every day.
   
4. Position students around a sink so all students can see the sink. The teacher acts out waking up in the morning, crawling out of bed, and going to the sink to brush his or her teeth.
   
5. In the sink, place a bucket under the faucet. The first time the teacher brushes his or her teeth, leave the water running. After the teacher is done brushing his or her teeth, show the class how much water was collected in the bucket.
   
6. Using the cup, count how many cups of water were wasted by leaving the water on while brushing the teeth.
   
7. Now, the teacher or a student can brush his or her teeth and turn the water off while brushing. When finished, count the number of cups in the bucket. The amount of wasted water is significantly less. Ask students to explain the best way to brush their teeth and why it is the best way.
   
8. Follow the same procedure while washing hands. For one hand washing, leave the water on while scrubbing and then count the cups. For the other hand washing, turn the water off while scrubbing and count the cups. Ask students to explain the best way to wash hands and why it is the best way.

Scoring rubric out of 2 points

• Demonstrates one way to stop wasting water: 1 point
• Demonstrates two ways to stop wasting water: 2 points

Other Extensions

• Follow the water pipes at school to see where they come from and where they go.
  
• Read Better Not Get Wet, Jesse Bear by Nancy White Carlstrom and list all of the ways that Jesse Bear and his family use water at their house.
  
• Make a bar graph showing the number of wasted cups of water when the water was left on and when the water was turned off.

• The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen; ISBN number 0590403605
• Better Not Get Wet, Jesse Bear by Nancy White Carlstrom; ISBN number 0027172805