Jordan Bowerman and Cleo Hagen
Water Around The World
Grade level intended: fifth
Core Objectives for this lesson:
5.NBT.5.Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
5.NBT.6.Find whole-number quotients of whole numbers with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors, using strategies based on place value, the properties of operations, and/or the relationship between multiplication and division. Illustrate and explain the calculation by using equations, rectangular arrays, and/or area models.
5.NBT.7.Add, subtract, multiply, and divide decimals to hundredths, using concrete models or drawings and strategies based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction; relate the strategy to a written method and explain the reasoning used
5.NF.2.Solve word problems involving addition and subtraction of fractions referring to the same whole, including cases of unlike denominators, e.g., by using visual fraction models or equations to represent the problem. Use benchmark fractions and number sense of fractions to estimate mentally and assess the reasonableness of answers.
PART 1:To get the class thinking about water usage:
“By a raise of hands:”....
“how many students drink only bottled water?”
“how many students drink filtered tap water?”
“how many students drink unfiltered tap water?”
“how many students would drink rain water?” -why?
“how many students would drink water from a stream or river?” -why?
“how many students would drink water from the ocean?” -why?
Okay, now let’s make a list of what we use water for?
(shower, toilet, washing hands, washing face, dishes, cooking, laundry, lawn, car wash, cleaning...)
How much water does an average American uses per day.?
If Americans use an average of 176 gallons of water per person, per day:
**-how much water could be used in your household in a week?
There are 7 days in a week
7 days per week * 176 gallons of water per day
= 858 gallons of water per week per person
858 gallons * number of people in household
**-how much water could be used in your household in a year?
There are about 52 weeks in a year
52 weeks * 858 gallons of water per week per person
= 44,616 gallons of water per week per person
44,616 gallons * number of people in household
If you are just a family of one this means there is about 5881 cubic feet of space taken up. (discuss the definition of cubic feet and how to use this new measurement style)
Can anyone tell me how big of a space that is? Is it bigger than the room we’re in?
Now, if
-a 10 minute shower takes 40 gallons of water
-a load of laundry in the washing machine takes 45 gallons of water
-brushing your teeth takes 3 gallons of water per person, per day
-flushing the toilet takes 28 gallons of water per person, per day
These are only estimates and depending on if you leave the water running when you brush your teeth, or what type of shower heads, toilets, and washing machines you have, this could vary. This though is an average of a typical American.
**How much water do you use (using these facts) in an average week?
Now what extra weekly activities do you use with water that could change this number?
cooking? washing the car? dog bath? swimming pool? watering lawn? washing your face? etc.?
Now imagine if you only had 10 gallons per day...
What would be your priority for water use?
What countries on the chart below use less than 10 gallons per day, per person?
Fact Sheet: Use of Water Worldwide
Domestic Water Use (Gallons/Person/Day)
Africa10
Egypt40
Ghana9
Kenya13
Morocco16
Mozambique3
South Africa44
Zimbabwe14
Country and Domestic Water Use (Gallons/Person/Day)
North & Central America95
Canada 209
Costa Rica 23
El Salvador 12
Guatemala 9
Honduras 9
United States 176
Water Pressure Peace Corps/Coverdell World Wise Schools
Now, choose one of the countries, or continents if you choose Africa that uses less that 10 gallons of water per day.
**-how much water does one person use in a year in these parts of the world?
Africa: 10 gallons per person, per day * 365 days per year
= 3,600 gallons per person, per year
Ghana, Guatemala, & Honduras:
9 gallons per person, per day * 360 days per year
= 3,240 gallons per person, per year
Mozambique: 3 gallons per person, per day * 360 days per year
= 1,080 gallons per person, per year
**-how much more water does America use in a year compared to the country you calculated?
Africa: 44,616 - 3,600 = 41,016 more gallons than Africa
Ghana, Guatemala, & Honduras: 44,616 - 3,240 = 41,376 more gallons
Mozambique: 44,616 - 1,080 = 44,436 more gallons
** what are the rough ratios of these parts of the world compared to America?
Africa, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras: about 41:1
Mozambique: about 44:1
** If the average American uses 176 gallons of water per day, how long would the same amount of water last for those in Africa? Ghana? Guatemala? Honduras? Mozambique?
Africa: 176gal / 10gal = 17.6, therefore an average African takes about 17 and a half days to go through the amount of water an average American uses in one day.
Ghana, Guatemala & Honduras: 176gal / 9gal = about 20, therefore These parts of the world takes about 20 days to go through the amount of water Americans use in one day.
Mozambique: 176gal / 3gal = about 60, therefore Mozambique takes 60 days, or 3 months to go through the amount of water Americans use in ONE day!
PART 2:
It is important that you understand that not all of these countries are using clean water.
A third of the world’s population is enduring some form of water scarcity.
Half of all people in developing countries have no access to proper sanitation.
According to the United Nation, everyday 4,500 children under the age of 5 die around the world due to sickness from unclean water and sanitation.
**How many children die per hour?
4,500 children everyday / 24 hrs per day = 187.5 children die per hour
**How many children die per second?
187.5 children per hour / 60 seconds per day = 3.125 children die per second
How can we change these statistics?
What are ways that we can cut back on water usage,?
make sure to turn off the water while brushing our teeth, take quick showers, combined laundry loads, not wash car as often, while cooking- don’t let water run, etc.
How do these things help other countries and continents with their lack of water?
**math is involved
Sources Used: