Approximate time frame: 2 weeks.
Water on earth is used over and over. The water cycle, the continuous movement of water from ocean to air and land then back to the ocean in a cyclic pattern, is a central concept in meteorology. In the water cycle, the sun heats the Earth's surface water, causing that surface water to evaporate (gas). This water vapor then rises into the earth's atmosphere where it cools and condenses into liquid droplets. These droplets combine and grow until they become too heavy and fall to the earth as precipitation (liquid if rain, solid if snow).
Water is temporarily stored in lakes, glaciers, underground, or living organisms.
The water can move from these places by streams and rivers, returns to the oceans, is used by plants or animals or is evaporated directly back into the atmosphere.
Students will:
Understand that water on earth moves in a continuous cycle.
Be able to name and explain the stages of the water cycle.
Be able to use Internet data to access information about the water cycle on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
In this module, students will first carry out a number of activities that demonstrate the concepts of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and soil moisture and runoff. The students will then construct a terrarium as a way to observe the water cycle as a whole. Immediately following this, students will use the Internet to acquire Real Time Data from the Olympic Peninsula which they can then use to describe how the phases of the water cycle look on the Olympic Peninsula.
To begin the module teach your students the "WATER CYCLE BOOGIE." This is a song that teaches the terminology of the water cycle with hand movements.
"THE WATER CYCLE BOOGIE"
Evaporation,
Condensation,
Precipitation,
Saturation.
And the water cycle boogie goes 'round and round,
And the water cycle boogie goes up and down.
REPEAT twice [or your choice]
After teaching the song, have a class discussion to explore students prior knowledge of the water cycle. Use the following questions to determine what concepts the students understand and to identify misconceptions.
The objective of these introductory activities is to build interest in the water cycle. This activity will allow the students to use their prior knowledge about the water cycle and to spark their interest so that they want to learn more.
Does the earth have more or less water now than 1,000 years ago? Explain.
From where does water that is on the ground come?
How does water get into the oceans?
What are clouds?
What are clouds made of?
How does rain form?
What do you think all those words we used when we sang the "Water Cycle Boogie" mean?
After discussing these questions with your students, explain to them that they are going to carry our several activities that will help them to better understand the water cycle.
Teacher Preparation of Activities
Extensions