EDUCATOR GUIDE
EDUCATOR GUIDE
Earth's Freshwater
Earth's Freshwater
Most people have heard Earth referred to as "the water planet." With that name comes the rightful image of a world with plentiful water. In photographs taken from space, we can see that our planet has more water than land. However, of all the water on Earth, more than 99% of Earth's water is unusable by humans and many other living things—only about 0.3 % of our freshwater is found in the surface water of lakes, rivers, and swamps.
The teacher guide describes our current understanding of water cycling and freshwater issues that affect natural and human communities.
Grades
3 - 8
Subjects
Earth Science
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In photographs taken from space, we can see that our planet has more water than land. It is unexpected and somewhat inconceivable that less than 3% of Earth's water is freshwater. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, most of that 3% is inaccessible. More than 68% of the freshwater on Earth is found in icecaps and glaciers, and just over 30% is found in groundwater. Only about 0.3% of our freshwater is found in the surface water of lakes, rivers, and swamps. Of all the water on Earth, more than 99% of Earth's water is unusable by humans and many other living things. It seems extraordinary that the water that supports all terrestrial, as well as aquatic, life on our planet is actually so scarce. With this stunning realization comes a recognition that we have to use this resource very wisely. An important first step is to educate ourselves and future generations of citizens.
We can make better consumer, voter, and community member choices when we are informed about how we use resources, the ramifications of misuse, and solutions and actions to prevent freshwater issues. This guide was developed to support teachers in teaching topics with real-world context, and provide them with the background to feel competent and comfortable when teaching about freshwater. It provides a solid introduction to freshwater in an accessible and reader-friendly manner. In addition to general information about freshwater, the guide includes numerous education features, such as teaching tips and student thinking, that help to connect the content to classroom practice.
Scroll through our resources above and click to download the book or individual chapters. Having trouble downloading? Use the links below.
Earth's Fresh Water: Full Teacher Guide
Chapter 1: Biodiversity in Fresh Water
Chapter 2: Water Cycle and Water Reservoirs
Chapter 3: Changing Natural Flows of Water
Chapter 4: Water Quality in Freshwater Systems
Chapter 5: Water Concerns for Wildlife and Humans
Chapter 6: Water Rights and Human Communities
Chapter 7: Water Solutions for Our Future
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Last Updated
July 27, 2026
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