Title – The Water Cycle

By – Jennifer Dalke

Subject – Science

Grade Level – 4-6

Skills Used

Observing; Predicting; Inferring

Key Vocabulary

Water Cycle, Evaporation, Condensation

Lesson Time

Two 20 minutes periods, with one hour waiting time

State Goals

11.A.2a, 11.A.2b, 11.A.2d, 11.A.2c, 11.V.2b, 11.B.2c, 12.E.2a, 13.A.2c

Conceptual Objective

Students will understand the process of the water cycle.

Process Objective

Students will make a model of the two main parts of the water cycle and
be able to predict and infer to answer questions about the model.

Materials

* clear jars

* water

* plastic wrap

* rubber bands

* chalkboard

Procedure

1. Introduce students to the water cycle. Describe how this cycle works,
defining the words ‘evaporation’ and ‘condensation.’

2. Show the correlating transparency and review it with students.

3. Discuss how we get rain and snow. Encourage children to speculate
about the movement of water through the environment.

4. Hand out supplies and explain that they will produce a model of the
water cycle.

5. Instruct students to fill their jar about 1/3 full with water. They should
cover the top with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubberband.

6. Have students place the jars directly in sunlight. Ask them to write
their predictions about what might happen on their own paper.

7. One hour later, have students get their jars. Write the following
questions on the board and have students answer them on their own
paper: What processes involved in the water cycle occurred inside the
jar? What caused the water to evaporate?

Evaluation

1. Did student follow directions?

2. Did student answer questions to communicate that they understand how the water cycle works? Assess their answers.

Troubleshooting

1. Students may not fully understand the concept. If there are students
who really cannot answer the questions, pair them up with a student who
has a firm grasp of the concept and have him/her reteach. Then let the
student answer the questions verbally in a conference with the teacher at a later time.

E-Mail

Jennifer

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