Salt Water and Freshwater Distribution on Earth
Data, Graphs, and Maps
Grades3, 4, 5Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by PBS
What it is
- These illustrations show how much of the Earth's water is freshwater, how much of that freshwater is from lakes and rivers, and all the different types of freshwater on Earth.
- Students learn that most water on Earth is saltwater, only a sliver of the Earth's freshwater is from lakes and rivers, and freshwater comes in various forms such as groundwater, glaciers, and water vapor.
Teaching tips
Positives
- The illustrations are easy to understand and visually engaging.
- The illustrations can be downloaded as a PNG file.
Additional Prerequisites
- In order to download the illustrations, you need to sign up for a free PBS LearningMedia account.
- It may be helpful if students already know the difference between saltwater and freshwater.
Differentiation
- Teachers can use these illustrations as a conceptual introduction to ice caps, glaciers, the importance of these freshwater sources, and what's happening to these sources in recent years.
- These illustrations can supplement a classroom activity where students investigate different types of marine life.
- These illustrations can enhance a classroom discussion about the scarcity of freshwater and the importance of having clean water in our communities.
- These illustrations can augment a lesson on man-made lakes and other ways that humans try to control water sources.
- Consider using the illustrations to introduce the lesson Importance of Conserving Water.
From the scientist review
This resource is from the CLEAN collection. “The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness.”
Ready to use it?
Hosted on wtvi.pbslearningmedia.org
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
