Unit Plan 22 (Grade 2 Science): Water on Earth—Where Is It?

Focus: Identify where water is found on Earth (oceans, lakes, rivers, ice, etc.) and whether it is usually solid (ice/snow) or liquid (water) in those places.

Grade Level: 2

Subject Area: Science (Earth Science • Water & Earth Systems)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students explore where water is found on Earth and whether it is usually solid or liquid in those places. Using globes, maps, photos, and short texts, they identify water in oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, glaciers, polar ice, and snow on mountains.

Students sort examples of ice and liquid water, learn that water can be found all over the planet (on the surface, in the ground, and in the air as tiny drops), and emphasize that for 2-ESS2-3 they are focusing on solid vs. liquid water. The week ends with a “Water on Earth” model or poster that shows different places where water is found and labels whether it is solid or liquid there.

Essential Questions

• Where can we find water on Earth (near us and far away)?
• In each place, is the water usually a solid (ice/snow) or a liquid (water)?
• How can pictures, maps, and other information sources help us learn where water is and what form it is in?
• Why is it important to know where water is and whether it is frozen or liquid?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Use globes, maps, and photos to identify where water is found on Earth (oceans, lakes, rivers, ponds, glaciers, polar ice, snow on mountains).
2. Sort examples of water into solid (ice/snow) and liquid (water), based on pictures and short explanations.
3. Describe at least one place on Earth where water is mostly solid (e.g., polar regions, glaciers) and one place where water is mostly liquid (e.g., oceans, rivers, lakes).
4. Obtain and record information from texts, diagrams, or videos about water locations and forms (solid/liquid).
5. Create a Water on Earth model or poster that shows at least three different places where water is found and labels whether the water there is solid or liquid.

Standards Alignment — 2nd Grade (NGSS-Aligned)

• 2-ESS2-3 — Obtain information to identify where water is found on Earth and that it can be solid or liquid.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name places on Earth where we find water (like oceans, lakes, rivers, ice, snow).
• I can tell if water in a picture is solid (ice/snow) or liquid (water).
• I can explain that some places, like the ocean, have mostly liquid water, and some places, like the poles or glaciers, have mostly solid water.
• I can use pictures, maps, or books to find information about where water is and what form it is in.
• I can make a poster or model that shows different places where water is found and labels each place as solid or liquid water.