CU 7.02Saving Water

1. 1

   Wash hands with the tap running the whole time while the child watches the water go down the drain.

2. 2

   Wash again. Wet hands, turn the tap off, scrub, then turn it on to rinse: 'The water was off while I scrubbed. I saved all that water.'

3. 3

   Invite the child to wash hands the same way.

4. 4

   On another day, open the tap to a slow drip and set the clear cup under it.

5. 5

   Set the timer for ten minutes. Come back and look at the water in the cup.

6. 6

   Say: 'This is how much water one drip loses in ten minutes. Imagine a whole day.'

7. 7

   Pour the water onto a plant. Sort the picture cards into ways to save water.

What catches the child’s eye

• The cup slowly filling up from single drips
• The quiet sink while hands are scrubbing

Extensions, easiest to hardest

1. Catch the drip for an hour and compare with ten minutes
2. Use the saved cup of water to water the class plants
3. Count the seconds while brushing teeth at home with the tap off
4. Look at a picture of Utah's reservoirs and talk about snow that becomes our water