Lesson Plan

6. Learn about soft and hard water

N22_KS3_06

Intent

Lesson Outcomes

  • Explore how limescale and how hard water changes our water
  • Learn about water softeners

National Curriculum

  • Earth as a source of limited resources and the efficacy of recycling
  • The production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate
  • L1 – Pupils learn study, organisational, research and presentation skills
  • L3 – Pupils learn to set realistic yet ambitious targets and goals

Working Scientifically

  • Present observations and data using appropriate methods, including tables and graphs

Resources

Resources: computers, internet, Anglian Water’s water quality site, pen, pencil

Handout: Handout contains a grid for pupils to record the data selected on Anglian Water’s water quality site and space to record their observations and graph.

Rocket words

  • magnesium
  • hard water
  • contaminate
  • soft water
  • calcium

Implementation

Starter

Discuss the difference between hard and soft water.

Main Teaching

Using the Anglian Water Postcode checker see how hard water is in five different locations. Attempt to use data from five very different areas near the coast, a city centre, a farming area and an area with hills or mountains to see if there is any link between the terrain and the type of water found in that area.   http://waterquality.anglianwater.com/map.aspx

Children are to present their data in a graph and record any observations they can make.

Career Film: Ellie Henderson works as a Community Education Manager at Anglian Water. Click on the tour to learn about Ellie's job.  

Expert Film: Ellie Henderson, a Community Education Manager at Anglian Water, talks about the difference between hard and soft water and what leads to some areas having different types of water.

Mission Assignment

Use the Anglian Water Postcode checker to see how hard water is in five different locations.

Use data from five very different areas.

Present your data in a graph and record any observations.

Challenge Task:

Can you notice any patterns between the type of water found in any of the locations used?

Impact & Assessment Opportunities

Plenary

Ask pupils to share the key differences between hard and soft water.