Water Cycle 3rd Grade

Introduction

Have you ever wondered where the water that you drink, use to brush your teeth, or play in at the swimming pool comes from?

Would you believe it if I told you that when you pour a glass of water, you are using water that was around when dinosaurs existed?

Today you'll have the chance to find out!

Let's start by thinking about where we find water and how we use it. Watch the presentation below to learn more.

Task

You and a partner, assigned to you by your teacher, will write a story about how Randy the raindrop makes his way through the journey of the water cycle.

To help you in writing your story, you and your partner will first act as researchers and investigate:

*The names and order of the parts of the water cycle

*How we get our drinking water in Boston

*Why we need to conserve water and ways to do it

After you have gathered all your information, you and your partner will write a story about Randy's trip from the Atlantic Ocean to Boston. Your story should be 8 - 10 pages long and include:

*The water cycle - Randy should travel through each part of the water cycle in the correct order.

*Vocabulary: Use the following words in your story: precipitation, water vapor, condensation, transpiration, condensation, run-off, groundwater, surface water, evaporation, conservation

*Geography: Name the places where Randy will travel as he makes his way through the water cycle. Randy must visit the Atlantic Ocean and the Quabbin Reservoir. Where else in Massachusetts would you like Randy to go?

*Water use: How will Randy be used? Remember from the introduction, water is used by people, plants, and animals for many things.

*Water conservation:At the end of your story, tell the reader 2 - 3 ways that they can help protect raindrops like Randy from being wasted.

Your book should also include your completed water cycle diagram (see Resources) at the front and illustrations on each story page.

Process

Find your name on the list of partners at the front of the class and meet with your partner to begin the assignment.

Research

Step 1. Visit the web sites listed under "Credits" on the credits page. If you do not understand something that you read or hear, raise your hand and your teacher will help.

Step 2. Write what each vocabulary word means on your vocabulary list. You and your partner can share 1 vocabulary list, but must take turns writing.

Step 3: Complete the online water diagram. Click "Play" to watch the cycle and "Label" when you are ready to test your knowledge. When you finish, raise your hand and your teacher show you how to print your diagram.

Write

Each group will only have 1 story.

Step 1. Write a rough draft of your story. Your story should be 8 - 10 pages with at least 2 sentences on each page. Need help getting started? Read a story about a different raindrop, Drippy.

Step 2. Using the Self Edit / Peer Edit Form, check your story for grammar mistakes. You only need 1 form per group.

Step 3. Find another group to trade stories with you. Ask them to peer edit your story while you peer edit their story. They should fill out the peer editor section of your form. You should complete the peer editor section of their form.

Step 4. Re-write your story on white construction paper. Make the changes that your peer editor suggests if you agree with them. If you aren't sure, raise your hand and your teacher will help.

Illustrate and Put Together Your Book

Step 1: Add drawings to each page of your story that show what is happening in your story at that time. You may use colored pencils, crayons, or markers.

Step 2: Tape your water cycle diagram to the back of your story.

Step 3: Add a front cover with your story title and authors' (you and your partner's) names.

Step 4: Use a hole-punch to put one hole in the left corner of each story page.

Step 5: Tie the pages together with ribbon.

When you are done with your book, both you and your partner will each take the online quiz below to test what you know about the water cycle and water conservation.