Hydrosphere - Intro
Earth's Systems: where water is, how it moves, and why it matters
Description
A 10-minute in-class introduction to the hydrosphere. Students define the hydrosphere, identify major water reservoirs, and explain a basic interaction between water, humans, and other Earth systems.
Learning Objectives
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Define hydrosphere and identify at least four major water reservoirs on Earth (oceans, ice, groundwater, surface water).
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Explain why water availability and water quality matter to humans and ecosystems, using one cause-and-effect example.
Content Preview
Preview of the PRISM content
## Engage (1 minute) Teacher prompt: "If Earth is called the 'blue planet,' where do you think most of Earth's water is stored?"
Quick vote (hands): A) Oceans B) Rivers and lakes C) Underground D) Ice.
Transition: "Today we define the hydrosphere and map where water is stored and why it matters."
Hydrosphere: all water on Earth, in all states (liquid, solid, gas). Reservoir: a place where water is stored (ocean, ice, groundwater, lakes). Groundwater: water stored in spaces in soil and rock underground. Watershed (river basin): land area where water drains into the same river system. Water quality: how clean or safe water is for organisms and human use.
- The hydrosphere includes all water: oceans, ice, groundwater, lakes, rivers, and water vapor.
- Water is not evenly available: some is salty, some is frozen, some is underground.
- Hydrosphere connects to other Earth systems (air, land, living things).
- Humans depend on water availability and water quality for health, agriculture, and ecosystems.
Assessment Questions
3 questionsWhich statement best describes the hydrosphere?
Which is the largest reservoir of Earth's water?
Write one cause-and-effect sentence showing how hydrosphere changes can affect humans or ecosystems (availability or quality).
Standards Alignment
Resource Details
- Subject
- Science
- Language
- EN-US
- Author
- Teacher
- License
- CC-BY-4.0
- PRISM ID
- nc-8th-sci-hydrosphere-intro-10min