SDG #6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Learning Sequence
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What is SDG #6?
This week, we’re engaging students with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, through a service learning approach. They’ll start with an informative video to understand the global water crisis.
Students will then choose a practical activity, like a water-saving initiative or a community awareness campaign, to apply their learning in a meaningful way. This approach not only enhances their understanding of global issues but also empowers them to contribute actively to their communities, fostering a sense of global citizenship.
This week, we’re focusing on a vital global challenge: SDG number 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation.
First up, we’ll watch a video on SDG #6, highlighting the importance of clean water and sanitation, and the impact of their scarcity on millions worldwide.
Next, dive into our challenge! Choose from activities like designing a water conservation poster or writing a poem about water’s value. Your work will contribute to raising awareness and inspiring action.
After completing your challenge, reflect and add this experience to your digital portfolio. This adds to your collection of stories on our journey towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
And don’t miss our weekly quiz! It’s a fun way to reinforce what we’ve learned and celebrate your progress with a weekly certificate.
Let’s make a splash with our creativity and action towards ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. Your efforts are a step towards a sustainable future!
Weekly Keywords
This activity focuses on acquainting students with essential terms and concepts related to SDG #6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. Students receive a list of complex words and phrases linked to water conservation, sanitation, and access to clean water.
They are encouraged to simplify these terms into plain, everyday language and delve into their meanings. The goal is to expand their vocabulary around water issues while also sharpening their critical thinking abilities as they articulate and comprehend the importance of these concepts, deepening their understanding of the fundamental aspects of clean water and sanitation for all.
This activity focuses on acquainting students with essential terms and concepts related to SDG #6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. Students receive a list of complex words and phrases linked to water conservation, sanitation, and access to clean water.
They are encouraged to simplify these terms into plain, everyday language and delve into their meanings. The goal is to expand their vocabulary around water issues while also sharpening their critical thinking abilities as they articulate and comprehend the importance of these concepts, deepening their understanding of the fundamental aspects of clean water and sanitation for all.
On the task card opposite, you’ll find a list of keywords related to SDG #6 – Clean Water and Sanitation.
Your challenge is to read these words and simplify their meanings as much as possible. This task will improve your ability to distil complex concepts into understandable elements, a very useful skill for all the learning and discussions you’ll engage in later on.
Quote of the week - Audrey Hepburn
This week, we’ll draw inspiration from Audrey Hepburn and her enduring legacy of humanitarian work, focusing on SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. Students will explore one of her insightful quotes, interpreting its significance from their own unique viewpoint, whether through art or a multimedia presentation.
The heart of this activity is profound contemplation and engaging conversation. It encourages students to connect deeply with the spirit of Hepburn’s words, pondering their impact on personal lives and broader societal implications. This method promotes critical thinking and sparks open discussion, enabling students to examine how powerful statements can shape their views and actions, thereby enhancing their comprehension of clean water and sanitation issues and fostering a sense of compassion and community involvement.
Each week, we will provide you with an inspirational quote from one of the world’s renowned thought leaders.
We encourage you to take note of the quote, print it out, or create your own drawing inspired by this quote.
Once you have finished, we invite you to reflect on and discuss the significance of this quote. Consider what it means to us and how we can impact the world using this quote as inspiration.
Research - Creating an Infographic
This task engages students in the creation of infographics centred around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a special focus on SDG #6: Clean Water and Sanitation. It’s an opportunity for creative exploration and personal expression, pushing students to conduct research and weave in unique facts and statistics they discover. They’re invited to use a wide range of design elements, including images, charts, and their chosen color schemes, to bring their artistic visions to life.
The aim of the activity is dual-purpose: it educates students on the critical challenges related to clean water and sanitation while simultaneously enhancing their design capabilities. Completing this project not only increases their awareness of these pressing global issues but also contributes to their achievement of a certificate for each SDG Challenge they undertake, demonstrating their commitment and learning journey through these pivotal global objectives.
Every week, you’re stepping up to a design challenge: crafting a simple yet compelling infographic about one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This week, our spotlight shines on SDG #6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Begin by reviewing the example we’ve provided, then leap into using the provided template to create your own infographic centered on Clean Water and Sanitation.
Feel motivated to seek out additional facts and statistics to enrich your infographic with depth and impact. Let your creativity soar – incorporate visuals, charts, diagrams, and data in any way you see fit. You’re also encouraged to play with colours to make your design stand out.
Once you’ve completed your infographic, it will become a crucial component in earning your certificate for the SDG Challenge series.
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SDG Challenge Card SDG 6
This activity immerses students in initiatives related to SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation. They’re encouraged to demonstrate attributes such as commitment and perseverance in practical scenarios, enhancing community involvement and experiential learning about global water and sanitation issues. Teachers are advised to take a step back and let the children tackle as many challenges as they wish, providing guidance rather than direct instruction.
Dive into the Upschool Challenge card for SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, and discover the variety of engaging tasks you can tackle over the next week. You’re welcome to focus on a single challenge or aim to conquer multiple; in any case, approach each task with enthusiasm, commitment, and unwavering determination.
Feel free to undertake these tasks individually, with friends, or as a collective class effort.
Spin the Wheel and Use Your Voice
The wheel has chosen the person you'll be writing to.
Before you begin your letter, spend some time getting to know them. Read the information below and do a little research of your own. Find out who they are, what they do, what they believe in and the work they are known for.
The more you learn about the person you're writing to, the more personal, thoughtful and meaningful your letter will be.
As you explore, think about what you would like to ask them. You might want to share the work your class has been doing, ask for their advice, hear their thoughts on an important issue or simply learn more about their experiences.
Once you've finished your research, move on to the writing activity below. You'll learn a simple strategy for writing a respectful, engaging letter that gives you the best chance of receiving a response.
Remember, every conversation begins with someone choosing to reach out. This week, that someone is you.
Research Your Leader Before You Write to Them
This activity gives students the opportunity to communicate with a real person beyond the classroom, providing an authentic audience and a genuine purpose for writing.
Before students begin, encourage them to research the person they have been assigned. Reading about their background, achievements, interests and current work will help students develop a deeper understanding of who they are writing to, resulting in more thoughtful, personalised and meaningful letters. While guidance may be needed for younger students, allowing learners to carry out their own research encourages curiosity, critical thinking and informed communication.
Please ensure that all communication is managed through the school. Letters and emails should be sent using the school's postal address, email address and contact details only. Students should never include their personal home address, personal email address, telephone number or any other personal contact information.
Remind students that they are representing both themselves and their school. Their letters should always be respectful, courteous and considerate, even if they are asking challenging questions or expressing a different point of view. The aim is to encourage meaningful dialogue, demonstrating that respectful communication can open doors, build relationships and inspire positive change.
Each week, we will invite you to write to one of the world’s most influential leaders. Your task is to spin the wheel below and see which world leader you will be writing to this week.
Once the wheel has decided, your task is to craft an engaging letter, and share your thoughts on this week’s SDG and explain to them how you think they could help.
If you have never heard of some of the leaders you will need to do some research before you start writing. Don’t worry all the info you need is in the booklet opposite.
You can send your letter either by post or email. Their contact information can be found on the task card opposite.
Your goal is to get a response, and perhaps even a phone call or a visit! Look below on the best way to write your letter.
Good luck!
How to Write a Letter That Tells a Story
When guiding students in writing letters about SDG 6 to the CEO of UNICEF, encourage them to weave emotions and real-world stories into their writing. This approach not only humanizes the statistics around water and sanitation issues but also makes each letter more compelling.
Sharing personal connections or narratives they’ve heard can dramatically enhance the impact, showing a deep, authentic concern for the cause and increasing the likelihood of engaging the recipient’s attention and empathy.
This week, as we dive into our letter-writing journey, we’ll learn how to write letters that truly touch people’s hearts. We’ll be inspired by a letter I’m writing to the CEO of UNICEF.
First off, it’s important to share real stories and back them up with emotions that come straight from the heart. In my letter, I’m going to talk about why helping every child matters, using my own feelings and experiences. This helps us bring our message closer to those we’re trying to reach.
Putting real feelings and genuine stories into our letters makes them much more powerful. It shows we really care about the issue. When we write like this to someone as important as the CEO of UNICEF, our letters are more likely to get noticed.
Take a look at the sample letter we’ve provided. It follows all the tips we’ve talked about and is a great guide for your own letters. Let it inspire you to write something that’s just as heartfelt.
As you get ready to write your impactful letters, remember: sharing your stories and feelings, along with solid reasons and real examples, is the secret to creating a letter that stands out and truly shows how much you care about making a difference for children everywhere.
Don’t hold back!!
Post Your Letter - The Power of the Pen
This activity engages students in hands-on learning by having them write letters to world leaders about important issues. It emphasizes determination, as students persistently send letters weekly until they receive a response, teaching resilience and the impact of their voice in global conversations.
The aim is to create impactful, attention-grabbing letters that resonate with influential recipients. Students are encouraged to blend creativity with formal writing skills, emphasizing persuasive language and personal expression. This practical exercise enhances their communication abilities and applies learning in a real-world scenario.
Once you have crafted your letter on the issues that you think are the most important, it is then time to send your letter out to the world and hope for a response.
Each week, we will send a letter to a different world leader in the hope that they will respond.
If they don’t, do not despair; keep going until you get a response and get your voice heard by those who can help you on your mission to make the world a better place.
Determination is key! Keep going.
My Digital Resume - Adding Experience #6
This activity engages students in developing a digital resume that captures their contributions towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Weekly, they are prompted to engage in deep reflection on their actions, assessing both the external impact and the personal development they’ve experienced. Students are guided to succinctly record these reflections, resulting in a comprehensive 17-page resume by the course’s end.
This exercise is designed to enhance self-awareness and the ability to effectively articulate achievements, encouraging students to acknowledge and express the significance of their efforts towards global objectives.
Every week, we’re on a mission to create a unique digital resume for SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Think of your resume as a celebration of your efforts to improve water access and sanitation, and your own growth.
Check out my digital resume sample. It includes a new story about water and sanitation efforts.
This week, design a cover page that shows off your main achievements. After this SDG Challenge, add your latest work on clean water and sanitation to your resume. By the end, you’ll have a detailed resume showcasing your commitment to making a difference.
Use our Canva template to make your resume truly yours, reflecting your personal style.
You’ll end up with a resume that’s not just a list of what you’ve done but a story of your impact and journey towards better water access and sanitation for all.
Take the SDG Quiz and Earn Your Certificate
The quiz provides a simple way for students to review and reinforce the key learning from this week's Sustainable Development Goal.
Students who achieve 80% or above will automatically receive a personalised certificate recognising their achievement. If a student does not reach 80% on their first attempt, encourage them to revisit the learning materials before trying again. The aim is mastery, not speed.
The quiz can be completed at school or at home on any computer, tablet or mobile device with an internet connection. This gives families the opportunity to become involved in the learning, revisit important concepts together and celebrate each child's achievement when they earn their certificate.
Each SDG includes its own certificate, giving students the opportunity to build a collection of 17 certificates as they progress through the programme. This encourages perseverance, celebrates achievement and provides tangible recognition of their learning journey.
As students complete each SDG, encourage them to add both their certificate and a reflection on what they have learned to their Digital Résumé, creating a lasting record of their knowledge, actions and impact. Over time, this becomes a powerful portfolio that showcases not only what students know, but how they have used their learning to make a positive difference in the world.
You've reached the end of your SDG #6 learning journey. Now it's time to see just how much you've learned.
Complete the short quiz below and test your knowledge of Sustainable Development Goal 6 : Clean Water and Sanitation.
If you score 80% or higher, you'll automatically receive your very own personalised Upschool Certificate with your name on it.
This is just the beginning.
There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which means there are 17 certificates waiting to be collected. Complete every SDG challenge, earn every certificate, and become a true changemaker for our world.
Good luck. We know you can do it!
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