Water: Meaning, Clean Qualities, Contaminants, Risks Basic Science Primary 3 Second Term Lesson Notes Week 5
Subject: Basic Science
Class: Primary 3
Term: Second Term
Week: 5
Topic: Understanding Water: Meaning, Qualities, Contamination, and Dangers
Duration: 40 minutes
Entry Behaviour: Students should be able to identify what water is and why it is important for life.
Key Words: Water, Clean, Contamination, Contaminants, Dangers
Behavioural Objectives: By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
- Define water and explain its importance.
- Identify the qualities of clean or pure water.
- Recognize common contaminants that can make water unsafe.
- Understand the dangers associated with drinking contaminated water.
Embedded Core Skills: Observation, Critical Thinking, Communication
Learning Materials: Whiteboard, markers, pictures of clean and contaminated water sources, examples of contaminants (e.g., dirt, chemicals), Basic Science textbook 3, reference materials from Lagos State Scheme of Work
Content:
What is water?
- Water is a liquid: It is a substance that flows and takes the shape of its container.
- Water is transparent: This means you can see through it like glass.
- Water is colorless: It doesn’t have any color of its own.
- Water is tasteless: It doesn’t have a particular taste, but it can taste different depending on what’s dissolved in it.
- Water is odorless: It doesn’t have any smell.
- Water is essential for life: Plants, animals, and humans need water to survive.
- Water is found in rivers and lakes: These are large bodies of water that flow or sit still.
- Water is also in oceans and seas: These are even larger bodies of water, covering most of the Earth’s surface.
- Water falls from the sky as rain: When clouds get heavy, they release water droplets.
- Water can be stored in containers: People keep water in bottles, jerry cans, and tanks for use when needed.
Qualities of clean or pure water
- Clear: Clean water looks transparent and doesn’t have any particles floating in it.
- Colorless: It doesn’t have any color; it looks like the water you see in a glass.
- Odorless: Clean water doesn’t have any smell; it doesn’t smell like anything.
- Tasteless: Pure water doesn’t have a specific taste; it doesn’t taste like anything.
- Safe to drink: It doesn’t make you sick when you drink it; it won’t cause any harm to your body.
- Doesn’t have dirt or mud: Clean water doesn’t have any soil or dirt mixed in it.
- Free from germs: It doesn’t have any bacteria or other microorganisms that can make you sick.
- Doesn’t have chemicals: There are no harmful substances like bleach or pesticides in clean water.
- Good for plants: Clean water helps plants grow healthy and strong when you give it to them.
- Good for animals: Animals can drink clean water without getting sick; it’s safe for them too.
Contamination or contaminant of water or what makes good water bad
- Dirt and soil: When soil gets into water, it makes it dirty and unsafe to drink.
- Trash: If people throw garbage like plastic bags or bottles into water, it can make the water unsafe.
- Chemicals: Sometimes, chemicals from factories or farms can get into water, making it harmful.
- Bacteria: Tiny germs called bacteria can also get into water and make it bad for drinking.
- Animal waste: If animals like cows or birds go into the water, their waste can contaminate it.
- Human waste: When people throw sewage or use water for washing clothes or dishes, it can make the water dirty.
- Oil spills: Sometimes, oil from ships or factories can leak into the water, making it unsafe for animals and people.
- Pesticides: Farmers sometimes use chemicals called pesticides to protect their crops, but if these chemicals get into water, they can make it harmful.
- Algae: Too much algae can grow in water if there’s too many nutrients, and this can make the water bad.
- Trash or litter: When people throw litter like plastic bags or bottles into the water, it can contaminate it and harm the environment
Dangers of drinking bad water
- Sickness: Drinking bad water can make us sick and give us diseases like diarrhea or stomachaches.
- Weakness: Bad water can make us feel weak and tired because it has germs and contaminants.
- Dehydration: Drinking bad water can cause dehydration, which means our bodies don’t have enough water to work properly.
- Skin problems: Sometimes, bad water can cause skin problems like rashes or infections.
- Headaches: Drinking bad water can give us headaches and make us feel unwell.
- Fever: If water is contaminated, it can cause us to have a fever, which is when our bodies get hot and we feel sick.
- Nausea: Bad water can make us feel like we want to vomit or throw up.
- Long-term illness: Drinking bad water over a long time can lead to serious health problems like kidney disease or liver damage.
- Death: In extreme cases, drinking really bad water can even lead to death, especially if it’s contaminated with harmful chemicals or bacteria.
- Reduced growth: Bad water can also affect our growth and development, making us smaller and weaker than we should be.
Evaluation
- Water is a ___________ substance that we need to drink to stay healthy. a) Solid b) Liquid c) Gas d) None of the above
- Clean water should be ___________ and have no smell or taste. a) Dirty b) Clear c) Bubbly d) Sweet
- Water can become contaminated if it has ___________ or dirt in it. a) Bubbles b) Rocks c) Germs d) Leaves
- Bad water can make us sick and give us ___________ like diarrhea. a) Headaches b) Coughs c) Stomachaches d) Sneezes
- Drinking contaminated water can cause ___________ because it has germs in it. a) Happiness b) Dehydration c) Excitement d) Sleepiness
- Clean water is important for our ___________ and overall health. a) Sleep b) Growth c) Games d) TV watching
- One of the qualities of clean water is that it should be ___________ and clear. a) Dirty b) Cloudy c) Clear d) Smelly
- Water can be contaminated by ___________ chemicals and bacteria. a) Happy b) Harmful c) Colorful d) Noisy
- Drinking bad water can cause ___________ like nausea and vomiting. a) Happiness b) Laughter c) Sickness d) Joy
- Clean water is important for ___________ because it helps our bodies work properly. a) Growth b) Shrinking c) Sleeping d) Jumping
- Water can become dirty if it is ___________ with things like oil or chemicals. a) Mixed b) Separated c) Contaminated d) Cleaned
- Contaminated water can make us feel ___________ and weak. a) Strong b) Happy c) Tired d) Excited
- Drinking bad water over a long time can lead to serious ___________ problems. a) Eating b) Health c) Sleeping d) Walking
- Water that smells ___________ or has a strange taste may not be safe to drink. a) Sweet b) Clear c) Clean d) Bad
- We should always try to drink ___________ water to stay healthy and avoid getting sick. a) Dirty b) Clean c) Smelly d) Bubbly
Presentation
- Step 1: (Revision)
- Briefly review the previous lesson on the meaning and importance of water.
- Ask students to recall why water is essential for life and what they have learned about its properties.
Step 2: (Introduction to New Topic) - Introduce the new topic: Understanding Water.
- Explain that today, we will learn about the qualities of clean water, what can make water dirty, and why it’s important to avoid drinking contaminated water.
Step 3: (Teacher’s Activities) - Present pictures or examples of clean water sources (e.g., tap water, bottled water, clean rivers) and discuss their characteristics (clear, odorless, tasteless).
- Show examples of contaminated water sources (e.g., polluted rivers, stagnant ponds, dirty wells) and discuss the visible contaminants (dirt, debris, oil slicks).
- Explain common contaminants that can make water unsafe, such as bacteria, chemicals, and waste products.
- Discuss the dangers of drinking contaminated water, including illnesses like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever.
- Emphasize the importance of always drinking clean, safe water to stay healthy.
Learners Activities: - Observe and discuss the qualities of clean and contaminated water sources.
- Participate in class discussions about the dangers of drinking bad water.
- Ask questions and share personal experiences related to water safety.
Assessment: - Ask students to identify the qualities of clean water and list at least three common contaminants.
- Conduct a class discussion to assess students’ understanding of the dangers associated with drinking contaminated water.
- Review students’ responses to evaluation questions related to the topic.
Ten Evaluation Questions:
- What is water, and why is it important for life?
- Name three qualities of clean or pure water.
- What are contaminants, and how can they make water unsafe to drink?
- Give two examples of contaminants that can be found in water sources.
- What are some dangers of drinking contaminated water?
- How can you tell if water is clean or dirty?
- Why is it important to avoid drinking water from polluted sources?
- What illnesses can you get from drinking bad water?
- How can we ensure that the water we drink is safe?
- What should you do if you suspect that water is contaminated?
Conclusion:
- Summarize the key points discussed during the lesson.
- Encourage students to always drink clean, safe water and avoid sources that may be contaminated.
- Provide feedback on students’ participation and understanding of the topic.
