Introduction
Water covers 70% of the Earth’s surface. We drink it, cook with it, bathe in it, and play in it. We need water to live. Without water, there would be no life on Earth. Water is so important, but do you know where your water comes from? Water is always on the move; this movement is called the water cycle.
Essential Questions:
Why is water essential for sustaining life on Earth?
Why is the water cycle important?
What are ways that water moves and changes?
How do we get the water we use every day?
Task
Task Choices
Choice 1
You are an award winning author. You have been asked to write a children’s book explaining the water cycle, which will be read by first graders. Your job is to explain the water cycle in as much detail as possible. It is important to include illustrations and appropriate vocabulary. Remember, good authors always edit their work and write neatly!
Choice 2
Imagine yourself as a drop of water traveling through the water cycle. Your job is to write a story from the perspective of a drop of water as you travel through the water cycle. Please include illustrations and appropriate vocabulary. Good writers always edit their work and write neatly!
Process
Process: 3 Steps
Step 1.
Using a journal, you will answer the essential questions for each section before completing the tasks. During each of the 5 tasks, you will take notes and write down key points and vocabulary.
1. Investigate water by clicking on the link below:
https://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/water/
Essential Questions:
Why is water essential for sustaining life on Earth?
Why is the water cycle important?
What are ways that water moves and changes?
How do we get the water we use every day?
2. Investigate solids, liquids, and gases by playing the attached video below:
Essential Questions:
How cold does it have to be for water to freeze?
At what temperature does water become a gas?
3. Investigate the water cycle by clicking the links below:
https://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/watercycle/
Essential Questions:
How does the water cycle impact the environment?
Have you seen the process of evaporation or condensation in your life?
How would life be different if there were no water cycle?
4. Investigate clouds by clicking the link below:
http://climate.ncsu.edu/edu/k12/.cloudformation
Essential Questions:
Does water disappear?
How are clouds formed?
How would you describe the types of clouds?
5. Investigate different types of precipitation by clicking the link below:
https://www.slideshare.net/aikyatha/types-of-rain-63575356
Essential Questions:
What is precipitation?
an you describe some different forms of precipitation?
Step 2. Using your notes, be an expert on the water cycle and write a children’s book complete with illustrations. Use vocabulary and be precise. Remember to edit your work and use good handwriting. Another choice is to imagine yourself as a drop of water and explain your travels through the water cycle.
Step 3: Read the book to your 1st grade reading buddy to teach them about the water cycle!
Evaluation
Conclusion
The water cycle is a process that can take a drop of water around the world! From low valleys to high mountains, from oceans to deserts, water can travel everywhere and be in any form. This is the amazing cycle called the water cycle!
Below you will find more information and activities related to water.
Website:
http://www.kidsecologycorps.org/our-environment/natural-cycles/water-pollution
Videos:
Credits
BrainPop (2017). Water. Retrieved from https://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/water/
BrainPop (2017). Watercycle. Retrieved from https://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/watercycle/
California DWR (Producer). (2011). Water - who needs it? [video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l67HwLegDLE
Kids Ecology Corps (2010). Water pollution. Retrieved from http://www.kidsecologycorps.org/our-environment/natural-cycles/water-pollution
KidZone. (2017). The water cycle. Retrieved from http://www.kidzone.ws/water/
National Geographic (2011). How to care for the ocean. [video file]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=national+geographic+how+to+care+for+the+ocean
National Geographic (2016). How can we keep plastics out of our ocean. [video file]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQTUWK7CM-Y
North Carolina State University (2013). Climate education for K-12. retrieved from http://climate.ncsu.edu/edu/k12/.cloudformation
SlideShare (2016). Types of rain. [PowerPoint file]. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/aikyatha/types-of-rain-63575356
TedEd (2016). What would happen if you didn't drink water. [video file]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iMGFqMmUFs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iMGFqMmUFsThrope, S. (2017). Bill nye: Phases of matter. [video file]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3SJuozgbfU&t=4s