This past term, Year 4 delved into the impact of human choices on water quality through their Big Question: How do the choices people make impact the quality of water in our environment?

Students learned about water as a non-renewable resource and investigated ways to use it sustainably. They studied the water cycle and explored various water sources, including rivers, with a focus on the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok. The class examined how waste from the river ends up in the ocean, gaining insight into the damaging effects of pollution caused by human actions.

A highlight of the unit was a trip to Layan Beach, where students observed the river mouth and its role in carrying pollution to the sea. During the visit, they participated in a beach cleanup, quickly realising the scale of the problem and the importance of educating others about protecting water sources and the water cycle. It was inspiring to see the children recognise the impact they could have by promoting the principles of reducing, recycling, and reusing instead of discarding waste.

To integrate technology, students used Keynote to create and animate the water cycle, demonstrating both scientific understanding and digital skills. The unit concluded with an open classroom event, where parents were invited to view the students’ work and hear their ideas. The children proudly shared their learning, fostering greater awareness of the need for water sustainability.