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Lesson 1.1

Why Drink Water?

Overview

In this lesson, students will learn why water is important for their bodies and develop the habit of drinking water regularly throughout the day.

Learning Outcomes

Students will apply drinking water about 8-10 times during your day. (4-5 during the school day)

Be sure to drink plenty of water, especially when it's warm out or exercising & playing.

Materials Needed

For Teacher:

“H2O is the way to Go!” Flash card from ActiveLife Toolbox

For Students:

H2O Coloring Sheet
Crayons/ Markers
Water bottles
ActiveLife™ drinking water tracker and diary log

Learning Language

  • Water
  • Refreshing
  • Cancer
  • Consistently
  • Fuel
  • Replenish

Classroom Discussion

  1. Review audio for Clara’s “H20 is the way to Go!” ActiveLife™ card.
  2. Introduce Clara to the classroom and how much she loves water.
  3. Use the ActiveLife™ Flashcard to review the chant with the class.
  4. Read Clara’s story to class:

I have a story to tell you about Clara and why Clara loves water so much. Clara had cancer. For two years, she was treated for cancer and lived in a children’s hospital for most of that time. It was a very difficult and challenging experience for her and her family and one thing that she learned from the doctors was drinking lots of water would be helpful. Drinking clean water (sometimes with lemon, sometimes with ice) was something she did consistently through her treatment and something she continues to do to keep herself healthy and well.

Questions

Modeling drinking water throughout the day and/or having designated water breaks can be a great way to support children in remembering this essential tool to our mental and physical wellbeing. During this activity allow students to drink and observe at least three times.

What are some things we learned from Clara’s experience? Allow time for students to share.

Yes! Sipping water throughout the day is very simple and a very powerful action but we forget at times during the day to recharge with water.

Now lets drink some water, pay attention on howit makes you feel inside your body? Drink water and “cheers” with your water bottles or cups. Reflect on drinking the water.

How does is make you feel? Allow students time to share how they’re feeling.

Is it refreshing? Do you feel it cool insideyour mouth and throat? etc

When do we drink water? Allow students time to share.

Make sure in the discussion to include:

  • Drink water when you are thirsty!
  • Drink water with or after meals.
  • Drink water when you wake up.
  • Drink water after play or exercise.
  • Drink water when hot and want to cool down.

Drink water regularly throughout your day. What about here at school? When are times we could drink water? Allow students time to discuss and share.

Pick up your water bottles and let’s take a big sip of water. Since the start of the lesson we’ve been drinking water, can you notice a difference in the way your feeling? Let students share.

Why it is so important for us to drink water?

We just learned about Clara and why water was important in her story, and let’s think about other reasons why water is so important.

Did you know?

  • We are made of water! (about 70%)
  • We use water to fuel and replenish.
  • Water helps us feel good!
  • Water helps us grow healthy and strong!
  • Water helps us learn and think clearly.
  • Without water, our brain and body cannot work!

Drink water regularly throughout your day. What about here at school? When are times we could drink water? Allow students time to discuss and share.

Now lets drink some water again, pay attention to how it’s making you feel! Do you feel your brain turning on?!

Activities

Water Breaks & Tracking Water Breaks:

After discussion, allow children time to color their flashcard. And introduce them to their water tracking card and diary log.

Allow each student to have their coloring card and/or tracking card to be a visual cue and reminder to drink water throughout the day/week. experiences they had by drinking water regularly or challenges they experienced.

Movement Activities: “Waterslide” dance, “Waterflow” yoga, “You Are Water” meditation.

Pair your tracking time and water break/s with one of the activities such as the “Waterslide” dance move, “Waterflow” yoga practice, or the “You are Water” meditation. At the end of each week during module 1, allow children to reflect on their experiences.

Waterbreak Week Example:

Monday: discussion, coloring card

Tuesday: Dance, Tracker

Wednesday: Yoga, Tracker

Thursday: Meditation, Tracker

Friday: Tracker, Diary Log

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