1. The Distribution of Water on Earth
The Blue Planet
The Distribution of Water on Earth

2. What is Earth’s nickname?
Begin this lesson by asking the question, “what is the Earth’s nickname?” If the students don’t know introduce them to the planet they live on, the Blue Planet, sometimes called the Water Planet. Ask the students, “what percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water?” Many students will know around 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. Explain that the same water has been in circulation in the atmosphere, clouds, rain, glaciers, ice sheets, streams, rivers, wetlands, ponds, lakes, seas and oceans since Earth began (around 4.46 billion years ago)1. This same water circulates around through the water cycle that is driven by the heat of the sun, quickly review the water cycle at this time.

3. What forms of water can you see?

4. Water moves around the planet through the water cycle.

5. Water is always on the move through the water cycle
Water is always on the move through the water cycle. What are some of the places water is located?

6. Freshwater can be stored for long periods of time
Freshwater can be stored for long periods of time. What are some long-term freshwater storage areas?

7. Some Essential Questions about Water
Why is water important on Earth?
What is the distribution of water on Earth?
In what ways does understanding the distribution of freshwater on Earth affect our human behavior?
Describe some interactions of water with the biosphere, the geosphere and the atmosphere. Choose one interaction to explain.

8. Resources Earth image from space:
1/30/
Bering Glacier in Alaska:
1/30/2015 –
Wetland:
Wailuku River:
Lake Louise:
Upsala Glacier:
Drinking Water: