Water Justice by Jaime Zulyniak

Project Purpose

To help my Grade 4 students develop a meaningful understanding of water justice, this

project will guide them through a variety of learning experiences such as hands-on, writing and photography. This project will last a full school year and integrate throughout many different subject areas.

Project Summary

We will begin with basic lessons about water—what it is, where it comes from, and how it

moves through our environment. Students will explore their personal relationships with water by discussing, documenting and photographing how they use it in their daily lives. This beginning exploration will include activities where students track their water usage, encouraging them to reflect on the importance of clean, accessible water and how often they may take it for granted.

Building on this foundation, the project will shift to a global view, examining how water

access differs across the world. Students will learn about communities that lack immediate access to clean drinking water and must travel great distances or purify water before it is safe to consume. This global view will allow students to contrast their own experiences with those of others, fostering empathy and critical thinking.

With a deeper understanding of water justice globally, we will then turn our attention to

local issues. Students will be presented with information about some of the environmental concerns such as pollution in Lake Winnipeg and the discharge of untreated sewage into the Red River. Journaling and outdoor learning will play an important role throughout the project, offering students a space for reflection and personal response.

A field trip to Kildonan Park will allow them to observe the Red River up close, discuss the

issues affecting it, and write about their reactions in a natural setting. We will then expand our focus with a second fieldtrip to Oak Hammock Marsh, where students will learn about marshes, watersheds and the natural processes that help purify water. This will help students understand how nature can help clean up some of the mess we as humans leave.

Students will also participate in art activities, read books and watch videos on

conservation and sustainability. The project will conclude with a collaborative poster activity in which students will creatively share what they’ve learned about water justice. Using images, artwork and writing, they will present their knowledge, with their posters displayed on our sharing wall to inspire others and raise awareness about this important issue.