Water Wonders #2: Where Does Dirty Water Go?

Where is the pipe?

"I like to take baths!" said Theo

Where does the drain take the water?

"I wash my dolly at the sink," said Olympia.
"I wash my feet in the shower," said Lucas.
"You need to wash you hands in the sink after you go to the bathroom," Charlie added.
The children eagerly shared ways they use water at home. They know that fresh water comes out from their taps but what where does waste water go?

Sophie replied, "It goes into the lake!"
Sasha answered, "Dirty water goes down the drain."

We explored how Vancouver's water and sewer system work. We learned that it involves many large pipes that go into the ground and they remove excess water and sewage for treatment. Since there is only 2-3% of fresh water on earth, people found ways to turn dirty water into clean, fresh water. When wastewater is treated and cleaned, it can be put back into the environment without harming anything.

The children imagined what it is like to clean the dirty water at a treatment plant. We added dirt and "trash" to the water table and the children tried to scoop it all out.

Water Wonders #1: Where Does Water Go in the End?

We began our Water Wonders with Lucas' question: "Where does water go in the end?"

To help the children understand where water comes from and where it ends up, we looked at the water cycle. They learned that our earth has a limited amount of water and it keeps going around and around through the process of evaporation, condensation and precipitation. The children created a collage illustrating the water cycle. To show where water ends up, they made sure oceans lakes, ponds, rivers and snow were included in the collage. However I told the children there is one secret place that water travels to. We watched the following video about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wao-8zcRiTA

After watching the video, we added underground water to the collage.

Generosity Abounds #6: "Lollicakes" for the Potlatch

The children worked exceptionally well together as we baked the "lollicakes" for the potlatch tomorrow. Everyone waited patiently to put in the ingredients. The children showed care and thoughtfulness by making sure everyone had a turn. Sophie suggested that we administer taste tests before the lollicakes were served to ensure they were served with our approval! And yes, the cakes passed the taste test!

Mixing the batter

Adding ingredients

The taste test!

Generosity Abounds #5 - Preparation for the Potlatch

Making paper mache masks

Choosing designs

Popping the balloon in the mask

Last week all the groups have been busy preparing for our potlatch taking place this Wednesday. A potlatch is a gift-giving feast practiced by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada and the United States. The Water group children are making masks, race cars, and happy cards to give away at the party. For food, the group wants to make lollipops and cakes so I suggested cake pops and of course everyone agreed!

Priming the mask and race car

Painting the mask

Generosity Abounds #4: Surprise Party

      

Walking to IGA

Shopping at IGA

SURPRISE!  

Giving gifts

Making toy helicopters

Making toy bears

There have been so many parties and treats given by the other groups that the Water Group felt that they should thank them for their generosity. "Why not throw a party for everyone," Olympia suggested. "A surprise party," Jayla added. We came up with a to-do list then the children took a walk to IGA to buy the things for the party. Theo wanted to give out gifts at the party so we made toy bears, toy helicopters and toy spiders.

Passing out the treats

Gift giving

The surprise party took place after rest time one day. Oh my, was it hard for the Water group children to hold in their excitement!  Right after rest time, all the water group children got up from their mats and yelled "SURPRISE!"

Generosity Abounds #3: Give and Take

Connection: There is give and take in generosity

To understand the give and take in generosity, Water group read The Self Crocodile by Faustin Charles. In the story, a selfish crocodile would not let anyone drink from or swim in the river and said that it was 'his river'. All the animals feared him until one day he had a bad toothache and a brave little mouse helped him. The crocodile was so thankful that he gave the mouse a present in return and invited all the animals back the river.

The children enjoyed this story so much that they dramatized it with puppets and even made stick puppets to bring home. They could see it is very important to share and be kind to others. Sophie said: "If you're mean, then nobody wants to play with you." Jayla added: "You have to have generosity then other people will be happy." We started telling about a time when someone else was generous to us and what they would do in return to thank them for their generosity.

Olympia: Bela plays with me. I will make him a card and give him a hug.
Sasha: My daddy and mommy plays with me. I will make them a heart.
Charlie: My daddy helps me.
Jayla: I was generous to my brother, I gave him a jellybean and he put on the TV for me. 
Sophie: My family takes care of me and play with me. I will make a picture for them. 

Generosity Abounds #2: Helping Hands

What is generosity?

The water group read Ribbon Rescue by Robert Munsch to get some ideas. In the story, a young girl gives away the ribbons from her new dress to help various people on their way to a wedding. As the children listened, they noticed that Jillian is so good at helping others and sharing her things. "She doesn't even mind when she falls in the mud!" Olympia pointed out. "Yeah, she's very generous," Sophie added.

For an art activity, the children made hand prints and on each hand print, the children listed ways of being generous. As the unit continues, we will add more hand prints or examples of generous acts.