Drinking Water and Watershed Protection School Programs
Under Under the Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program we’ve created curriculum-connected and place-based education programs to help educators get students engaged with water protection.
Freshwater Connections: Curriculum Connected School Toolkits
We've developed "click and go" resources for Kindergarten-Grade 7 education providers to explore freshwater and its importance. These toolkits address big ideas, content and curricula competencies in the following subjects:
- Science
- Socials
- Applied Skills and Technologies
- English Language Arts
- Career Education
- Physical and Health Education
- Arts Education
The toolkits also address BC Curriculum core competencies. The modules combine Indigenous stories and knowledge, local references, science, culture and hands-on activities to reinforce learning.
K-3 Materials
K-3 Teachers Guide- Colour
K-3 Teachers Guide- B&W
Handout- Part 1- Ocean or Freshwater Signs
Handout- Part 1- Water Scientist
Handout- Part 2- Water Cycle Image
Handout- Part 2- Sun and Clouds Printouts
Handout- Part 2- Water on the Move Worksheet
Handout- Part 3- Watershed Discovery Images
Handout- Part 3- Watershed Maps (below)
- Water Region 1-Big Qualicum
- Bowser Elementary
- Water Region 2-Little Qualicum
- QB Elementary
- Water Region 3-French Creek
- QB Elementary
- Arrowview Elementary
- Ecole Oceanside
- Springwood Elementary
- Errington Elementary
- Water Region 4-Englishman River
- Springwood Elementary
- Errington Elementary
- Water Region 5- Bonnell Creek
- Nanoose Elementary
- Water Region 5-Millstone River
- All Nanaimo Area Elementary Schools
- Water Region 6-Nanaimo River
- Chase River
- Cinnabar
- Cedar Elementary
- Water Region 6-Cedar Yellow-Point
- Ecole North Oyster
- Water Region 7-Gabriola
- Gabriola Elementary
Handout- Part 4- The Raven and the Racoon Activity
Handout- Part 5- Water Saving Messages
Handout- Part 6- Water BINGO Cards- Colour
Handout- Part 6- Water BINGO Cards -B&W
Handout- Part 6- Water BINGO Questions
4-7 Materials
PDF Presentation Slides (Includes all 6 parts)
4-7 Teachers Guide- Colour
4-7 Teachers Guide- B&W
Handout- Part 1- Water Scientist Handout
Handout- Part 2- Runoff Walk Student Handout
Handout- Part 2- Water Cycle Teacher Story
Handout- Part 2- Water Cycle Words Student Handout
Handout- Part 3- Drinking Water Regional Map Handout
Handout- Part 3- Ground water or Surface water Signs
Handout- Part 4- Ecosystem Labels Student Handout B&W
Handout- Part 4- Ecosystem Labels Student Handout Colour
Handout- Part 4- The Raven and the Racoon Activity
Watershed Field Trips
Watershed Field Trips are offered in Spring and Fall semesters. Email watersmart [at] rdn.bc.ca (watersmart[at]rdn[dot]bc[dot]ca) or call 250-390-6560 to book this experience for your Grade 4 or 5 class. Limited number of trips available.
Students will participate in various fun activities that focus on a sensory experience of the river, the forest, the reservoir, the watershed ecosystems and make important connections to their everyday life. Hop on our bus to discover the landscape that water travels through before it comes out of the tap!
This full-day trip is available to Grade 4 & 5 classes in School Districts 68 and 69, as it is designed to be strongly connected to Life & Earth Science PLOs. It includes a pre-trip and post-trip curriculum connected activity guide for teachers to extend the learning experience. Bus transportation will be provided to and from your school.
Trips run to the Englishman River (SD69) or the Nanaimo River (SD68) in May, June, September and October.
Prepare for Your Watershed Trip: Teacher Planning and Activity Guides
Thank you to our valued partners: RDN Parks, City of Nanaimo, City of Parksville and Mosaic Forest Management. Thank you to Metro Vancouver, who originally created this program and have allowed us to adapt it for our region.
Nanaimo River Watershed Virtual Tour
Join Team WaterSmart as they follow the incredible journey of a water droplet as it travels from the upper Nanaimo River watershed to your drinking glass. Learn about the water cycle, watersheds, forestry management, water treatment, conservation and protection in a 15-minute virtual field trip video.
Educational Materials Lending Library
Water and watershed Educational Materials are available to Regional District of Nanaimo teachers, educators, and organizations for temporary loan to support local education initiatives and hands-on learning.