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2026–27 • Labs & wellness

Water Filter: Water in an Emergency

Watch what passes through a filter. Clearer water is still not safe to drink.

Classroom lesson: Water Filter: Water in an Emergency

Today I can…

notice what passes through and what stops

Words to know

Words for this lesson

BIGSMALLFILTERSTOPPURIFY

Follow along

What we will do

  1. 1

    Choose a model

    Choose to watch the dry ball model or the adult’s water demonstration.

  2. 2

    Big or small?

    Point to a big ball or a small ball.

  3. 3

    Watch it move

    See what passes through and what stops.

  4. 4

    Compare

    Look at the water before and after the adult filters it.

  5. 5

    Tell the rule

    Choose NO DRINKING. Clearer water can still make us sick.

Speech, sign, point, eye gaze, or AAC

Tell us what you need

Choose a word when you are ready.

BIGSMALLPASS THROUGHSTOPNO DRINKING
Teacher & para guideMaterials, learning objectives, access, and safety

Materials

  • Dry model: five secured clear buckets or inserts, large supervised foam balls, catch bin, BIG/SMALL cards
  • Wet demonstration: clear filter cups, cloth or aquarium foam, bagged rinsed activated carbon, sand, gravel and smooth rocks
  • Small prepared water sample made with clean soil and leaves; collection tray, comparison cups, labels, towels and AAC

Safety first

Every wet sample is FILTERED — DO NOT DRINK. This model does not purify water or make it safe to drink. Adults control water and loose filter media; keep carbon contained and avoid dust. Offer the dry model or pictures for learners who mouth objects. Secure buckets, wipe spills and wash hands.

Follow each student's IEP, health, feeding, allergy, behavior, and mobility plans.

Individual learning objectives

Choose Level 1, 2 or 3 individually in either House group. A House is not an ability level. Watching, directing and communicating a boundary are valid participation.

Level 1

Choose BIG/SMALL or PASS THROUGH/STOP with an established response.

Level 2

Order filter materials or sequence dirty water, filter, clearer water.

Level 3

Compare visible changes and explain that filtration does not establish drinking safety.

Skill focus: Size discrimination, sequencing, cause and effect, comparing visible change, water safety

30-minute teaching sequence

Introduce · 5 min

5 minutes: Preview the dry model and wet demonstration. Introduce FILTER and PURIFY. Ask what will pass through. Explain that this classroom filter does not purify drinking water.

I do · 10 min

10 minutes: In the dry model, follow one large foam ball at a time through secured buckets. For the wet demonstration, build from bottom to top: cloth, contained activated carbon, sand, gravel, rocks. Water flows from rocks down to cloth.

We do · 10 min

10 minutes: Learners choose a ball, direct a layer, predict or compare. Adults pour the small prepared water sample and control loose media. Compare visible dirt and clarity without claiming that contaminants have all been removed.

Exit choice · 5 min

5 minutes: Ask BIG or SMALL, PASS THROUGH or STOP, or what changed. Ask “Can we drink this water?” The answer is NO.

Science note: Filtration can remove some particles. Appearance cannot show whether water is microbiologically or chemically safe.

Curriculum connection: Engineering observation and comparison connection.

Prepare for this learner

Select a level for each learner in either House group. Offer one-step cues, AAC, gaze, signs, speech or partner-assisted scanning. Use the learner’s established vision and access plan; high contrast is an option, not a universal CVI prescription. Respect refusal, watch-only and breaks. Select the model and support individually rather than by the source’s class labels.

Lower-staffing option: Use one adult-operated dry model or pictures. Omit wet filtering when supervision cannot be maintained.

Record the response, access method, opportunities and support used. Record observed, declined or not assessed separately; a communicated refusal is not a failure of participation.

Word lesson plan

Editable classroom source plan. Source files may retain earlier titles. Use the individual level choices and safety guidance above when preparing the session.

Download original Water Filter plan (Word)

Access supports

Communication Model five core words; accept speech, AAC, eye gaze, gestures, object choices, signs, and partner-assisted scanning.

Sensory Present one material at a time. Offer tools, gloves, observe-only, a scent-free choice, and a quiet break.

Motor Stabilize containers, pre-loosen parts, use adapted grips, and offer seated, standing, partner, or directing roles.

Learning Show the finished result, model first, use short visual steps, repeat, and record the least support needed.

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