Science Lesson: Water Pollution in Hawaiʻi
Lesson Plan
1 hourGrades5Science
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Written by Teacher Community
About this lesson
Students learn about different sources of pollution that affect water sources in Hawaiʻi and consider how pollution affects their ahupua‘a. Students outside of Hawaiʻi can use this lesson to discuss pollution sources that are specific to their own watersheds.
Inquire: Students share images of water sources in Hawaiʻi and discuss how seeing pollution makes them feel.
Investigate: Students explore various causes of water pollution in Hawaiʻi.
Inspire: Students consider how pollution affects the specific water sources in their ahupua‘a.
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Suggestions
- This lesson aligns with Hawai’i’s Nā Hopena A‘o HĀ-BREATH Framework.
- This lesson could incorporate an ʻāina-based field trip where students can observe their surroundings and visit different water sources to reinforce their skills of identifying types of water sources and different pollution factors that affect these water sources through their own observations, using their flip book as a reference.
- This lesson highlights the value of students’ academic awareness of the issues plaguing our water sources and instills a sense of value and resilience within our community to protect our wai, the source of all life.
Prerequisites
- This is lesson 2 of 3 in our 5th grade Science Unit: Water Sources & Pollution in Hawaiʻi.
- Teachers may want to visit a local stream or river prior to the lesson and take pictures to supplement the lesson in case students are not able to bring their own pictures to class.
- Teachers can tie this lesson back to the concept of the water cycle which students will have encountered in prior grade levels.
- Be aware that students may have had personal experiences with some of the pollution sources (like jet fuel) and that this could be a sensitive topic of discussion.
Differentiation
- For extension, students can research the difference between point and nonpoint pollution in order to classify the examples from the Jigsaw activity.
- The videos in the Jigsaw are different lengths. Shorter videos could be assigned to students who will need more time to answer the questions, or who may need to watch the video more than once to understand it well.
- Students who live in the same ahupua‘a could work together to complete the Flip Book.
- Teachers outside of Hawaiʻi could use this lesson to broaden the discussion of water pollution beyond Hawaiʻi and encourage students to consider their own local contexts.
From the scientist review
Students can learn about water pollution and how various pollution sources impact their water sources in this lesson. Students then come up with ideas for effective water management. After examining the lesson and related resources, we determined that it passed our science credibility test.
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About the teacher writer
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Teacher Community
Teacher Community
The Teacher Community is composed of teachers with 40+ years of collective K–12 experience across STEM, humanities, performing arts, and foreign languages. Members have taught in classrooms throughout the United States and around the world. Together, they focus on best practices and creating supportive, engaging learning experiences for all students and educators.
