Three-quarters of Earth's surface is covered by oceans. The first forms of life originated from water, and today the most of aquatic and terrestrial organisms contain 50-90% water in their bodies. Hydrogen bond in the molecule of water, along with other substances allow life. The curriculum of Science and society for the lower grades of elementary school provides a variety of contents related to water, so the goal of this study was to determine how much fourth-grade students know about water and its properties, and which of the teaching methods - method of oral presentation or methods of practical work is more effective in terms of acquisition of experiential knowledge of students. Also, the frequency and manner of conducting practical work in the teaching of Nature and Society is examined. The survey was conducted in June 2016, and it was attended by 62 students from three elementary schools: Ston in Ston, Marjan in Split and Ostrog in Kastel Luksic. The results showed that most of the students of fourth grade adopted the most important properties of water by theoretical classes and method of oral presentation. Nevertheless, analysis of student responses point to the fact that the practical works are not applied to a sufficient extent, as well it was most of the demonstrative nature. The students answers showed that they want more practical work in the classroom. Experiential and research-oriented teaching, according to the students' responses to the survey, is the best form of teaching, in which students gladly participate. Students, therefore, should be aware of the concept of water and its importance. The teaching contents of Science and Society are there for very suitable, especially by performing practical work. Teaching process is best to organize as research-oriented so the student should be at the center of the teaching process, where sensory cognition leads to self-discovery, develop skills of observation, logical deducing and gaining a complete picture of the world and the application of acquired knowledge in practice and everyday life.