Water on Farms: A six-lesson unit for Grade 2
Educators have asked for lessons exploring water on farms — and we’ve listened!
This six-part unit can be taught as a whole or as individual lessons. Each lesson connects to Ontario curriculum expectations while helping students explore the water cycle, water’s importance in food production, and farmers’ role as water stewards.
Lesson 1: Water’s many forms (States of water)
Students investigate water in its solid, liquid, and gas states and how temperature changes it (E2.4, C2.3). Through hands-on activities like observing melting ice, watching evaporation, or building mini greenhouses, they discover why farmers depend on liquid water for crops and animals.
Download Lesson 1: Water’s Many Forms (States of Water) exit ticket here.
Lesson 2: The sun’s magic (Evaporation)
Students learn how evaporation turns liquid water into an invisible gas (E2.3, E2.4) and connect this to how farmers manage soil moisture. Activities include creating water art or comparing evaporation rates on different soil types.
Download Lesson 2: The Sun’s Magic (Evaporation) exit ticket here.
Lesson 3: Clouds in the sky (Condensation)
By exploring condensation — when water vapour cools and forms clouds (E2.3) — students see how clouds bring vital rain to farm fields. They make their own “cloud in a jar” or work together to build a large condensation chamber.
Download Lesson 3: Clouds in the Sky (Condensation) exit ticket here.
Lesson 4: Rain, snow, and more! (Precipitation)
Students identify different types of precipitation (E2.3) and explore why farmers rely on rainfall for crops. They create and use rain gauges or precipitation in a jar.
Download Lesson 4: Rain, Snow and More! (Precipitation) exit ticket here.
Lesson 5: The water’s journey (Collection and the full cycle)
Students describe how water is collected in various bodies and how it moves through the continuous water cycle (E2.3, E2.5). They learn how farmers use dugouts and wetlands to manage water by investigating water’s path on a farm and enjoy a soil absorption race!
Download Lesson 5: The Water’s Journey (Collection and The Full Cycle) exit ticket here.
Lesson 6: Farmers, water, and our food (Water stewardship)
Students explore human impacts on water and the importance of protecting it (E1.1, E2.5). They discover how farmers care for water through healthy soil management and erosion prevention, making simple water filters or studying soil erosion.
