Dive into an exploration of the water cycle cycle with this simple earth science lesson. After first discussing where rain comes from, young scientists define the terms condensation, evaporation, transpiration, and precipitation as a class before performing a experiment to observe these processes first hand.

Concepts

the water cycle, evaporation, condensation, transpiration, precipitation, water

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Supplement this lesson into an elementary earth science unit on the water cycle
• Introduce the lesson by reading and discussing one of the suggested children's books
• Provide each student with a copy of the water cycle diagram to keep with their science materials as a reference
• Break the class into four groups, assigning each a different process in the water cycle to research and present to the rest of the class

Classroom Considerations

• The simple experiment described in the lesson is intended as homework, but if the materials are available it can be performed in class as well

Pros

• Includes a colorful water cycle diagram with clearly written explanations of each step in the process
• Provides a list of children's books relating to the water cycle

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.3.1.a SL.3.2 SL.4.1.a SL.4.2 SL.5.1.a SL.5.2 L.3.6 L.4.6 L.5.6 SL.6.1.a SL.6.2 L.6.6 RST.6-8.3 RST.6-8.4 RST.6-8.9