About the Online Curriculum
Water4Otter is a water conservation program developed by the North Texas Municipal Water District to teach youth about their water source and the importance of saving water.
Student Goal
To earn a Water4Otter ambassador certificate, which can be printed by teachers or parents after students complete all three lessons.
Grade Level
1st - 3rd grade, but also appropriate for 4th and 5th grades.
Length and prep
3 lessons, each 12-16 minutes each (includes activity time, within lesson). Each lesson is a combination of short videos, including brief analog activities. Students only need paper and a writing utensil to get started.
Appropriate for Online and In-class
The online curriculum can be student-led with teacher or parent support, but can be used in any online learning format (synchronous or asynchronous). It can also be used in-person, led by a teacher.
Check for Understanding Options (after each lesson)
Coloring Sheets
- Student-led (PDF, printer required)
Online Quiz
- Student-led (Google Form link)
Teacher Slides
- Teacher-led, can be customized (Google Slides, PowerPoint)
Water4Otter Ambassador Certificate
- After Lesson 3, need to be printed by parent or teacher (PDF)
Curriculum Goals:
Increase the number of household conversations about water and water conservation.
Educate students about their water source (Lavon Lake) and how water is shared by local wildlife, including otters, bobcats, and red foxes.
Define drought, watershed, and wastewater.
Teach students how to spot wasteful watering practices at home.
TEKS Alignment
The lesson above is aligned with the following TEKS, adopted 2017:
Kindergarten, Science 112.11
- B, 1,
- B, 4, A
First Grade, Science 112.13
- B, 1,
- B, 4, A
- B, 7,
Second Grade, Science 112.13
- B, 1,
Third Grade, Science 112.14
- B, 9, A&C
Fourth Grade, Science, 112.14
- B, 1,
- B, 3,
Fifth Grade, Science, 112.14
- B, 1,
- B, 9, A
