5 E Water Cycle Lesson Plan

ESSC 311

Connie Poremba

Samantha Mahowald

E.ES.07.81 Explain the water cycle and describe how evaporation, transpiration, condensation, cloud formation, precipitation, infiltration, surface runoff, ground water, and absorption occur within the cycle.

OVERVIEW and PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:

The water cycle explains the sun heating the earth's surface water so that it evaporates. This vapor gathers in clouds. When those clouds become too heavy, they release their moisture as precipitation. The precipitation collects in lakes or oceans after siphoning through soil or running down rivers. It then evaporates and repeats the cycle once again.

Students have had some practice creating hypothesis in previous lessons. The teacher may want to remind students of the “if”, “then” statements used when creating hypothesis.

OBJECTIVE(s): Students will be able to:

  1. Explain how the water cycle recycles the earth's water supply.
  2. Form a hypothesis on how/why the water cycle works.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS: There should be enough of the following for students to work in groups of three.

1.  soil

2.  sand

3.  modeling clay

4.  water

5.  large, clear plastic container

6.  plastic wrap

7.  plastic trees, animals, boat, etc.

8.  tape or large elastic band

9.  bag of ice

10.  heat lamp

ENGAGE ACTIVITY

Introduce the lesson with the following Water Cycle Rap

*  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Yi4dAzHsc

EXPLORE

PROCEDURES FOR THIS ACTIVITY:

  1. Arrange the soil, sand and modeling clay in the container to make mountains, plateaus, hills, etc., and a lake basin. It’s best if these are layered and students can see the layers in the clear plastic container. Leave room on one side of the container for water. Place the water in the water basin. Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap and secure it by means of tape or the band.
  2. Have each group write a hypothesis of what they expect will happen.
  3. Depending on when this lesson is done, put the aquariums where there is a lot of sun. After 1-3 days, the students should start seeing some precipitation. If this lesson is done in the winter or there is not enough sunlight coming into the room the process can be sped up by placing a bag of ice on one end of the covered container, while a heat lamp is focused on the other.
  4. Watch for condensation on the plastic "sky" of the container. When enough moisture collects, it will fall onto the landforms as precipitation.

EXPLAIN

Have the groups compare the hypothesis to actual results by discussion, first in their group then to the whole class. Encourage the students to draw the water cycle using arrows to show the flow. Ask each group to write a paragraph explaining their picture.

ELABORATE

Show students the water cycle showing the students how the cycle works. Then in the teacher’s aquarium, place extra houses, trees, and people on the top of the hills and on the sides of the hills.

Ask the students, “What do you think happens as we build houses and move more people onto the top of the hill and the sides of the hill?” Place a parking lot at the bottom of the hill with cars. Discuss with the students how this effects our environment as well.

EVALUATE

Have students complete 30 points of the Water Cycle Assessment from the options below. Students can only choose one from each category:

Knowledge (5 points each)

______Define the terms percolation, transpiration, and energy. Tell where the water cycle gets its energy.

______Define the term water cycle. Explain the meanings for each of the six major processes that take place in the water cycle.

Comprehension (10 points)

______Write a paragraph that explains how the water cycle works on earth.

Use all of the six water cycle terms in your response.

Application (15 points)

______Write a paragraph that explains how the water cycle works in your front yard.

Analysis (20 points)

______Brainstorm a list of 10 ways your family uses water and 10 ways your family can reduce water use to encourage water conservation. Write a contract for your family that will put three of these ideas into practice. Report back to the class after 3 weeks to let them know how your contract worked.

Synthesis (25 points)

______Create a song, poem, or rap that illustrates the water cycle. A 25 point response will use the following words in a meaningful way; evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection, percolation, and transpiration. Be prepared to share your artistic rendition with the class.

Evaluation (30 points)

______Respond to this statement; “If we are not careful, one day Earth will run out of water.” Write a 100+ word response that uses research to support your informed opinion. Include your rough draft with your final copy and a bibliography of your research.