Environmental Citizenship · Term 2

Protecting Our Water Resources

The importance of the Great Lakes and other water bodies, and the responsibility to keep them clean.

About This Topic

Fresh water is one of Canada's most precious resources, and Ontario is home to a significant portion of the world's supply through the Great Lakes. This topic emphasizes our collective responsibility to protect these water bodies from pollution and overuse. Students learn about the water cycle in a local context, identifying how water travels from lakes to their taps and back again.

They also explore the threats to our water systems, such as plastic waste and chemicals, and the importance of clean water for all communities, including First Nations that have faced long-term water advisories. This topic is a call to action for environmental stewardship. Students grasp the importance of water conservation faster through hands-on experiments and collaborative problem-solving aimed at reducing their own 'water footprint.'

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The Water Footprint

Groups calculate how much water is used for daily tasks (flushing, showering, washing dishes). They then brainstorm three 'water-saving' rules for the school and create posters to share them.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Simulation Game: The Pollution Filter

Students try to 'clean' a container of 'dirty' water (using coffee filters, sand, and stones). They discuss why it's much harder to clean water than it is to keep it clean in the first place.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: Why are the Great Lakes Great?

Students look at a map of the Great Lakes. They discuss with a partner three things we use the lakes for (drinking, shipping, swimming) and why we must share them with our neighbors in the USA.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

We have so much water in Canada that we don't need to save it.

What to Teach Instead

While we have a lot of water, only a tiny amount is clean and easy to get to. A 'water in a bucket' demonstration (showing the small percentage of usable fresh water) helps students see why conservation is vital.

Common Misconception

Water from the drain just 'disappears.'

What to Teach Instead

Water travels through pipes to a treatment plant and then back into our lakes and rivers. A 'pipe map' activity helps students realize that what they put down the drain eventually ends up back in the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are the Great Lakes so important to Ontario?

The Great Lakes provide drinking water for millions of people, support thousands of jobs in shipping and fishing, and help regulate our weather. They are also a huge part of our recreation and identity as Ontarians.

How can active learning help students understand water protection?

Hands-on experiments, like the 'pollution filter,' make the invisible visible. When students see how difficult it is to remove 'pollution' from water, the message of prevention becomes much more powerful than just being told 'don't litter.'

What is a 'boil water advisory'?

It's a notice that the water in a community isn't safe to drink unless it's boiled first. Many First Nations communities in Canada have had these for a long time. Discussing this helps students understand that clean water is a right that not everyone has yet.

How can I save water at home?

Simple actions like turning off the tap while brushing teeth, taking shorter showers, and making sure the dishwasher is full can save hundreds of liters of water a week. It's all about making small, consistent choices.

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