The Water Cycle

For Educators:

This topic is geared towards third grade.

In this unit, students will begin to learn and recognize the water cycle along with each of its steps. They will learn what role  evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, play in the cycle.

Includes:

Review Page, Discussion Questions, Diagram Activity, and Online Game

Learning Objectives:

After this lesson students will be able to:

1.) Explain what the water cycle is.

2.) Identify each step of the cycle and put it in the correct order.

3.) Explain what happens in each of the steps of the water cycle.

4.) Fill in a picture or diagram of the water cycle.

What is the Water Cycle

What is Evaporation?

What is Condensation?

What is Precipitation?

The Water Cycle Song

Water Cycle Review

1.) Water Cycle: the process that involves the movement of water from the Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back again.

2.) Evaporation: when the sun warms up ground water and turns it into water vapor

3.) Condensation: when the water vapor cools down and changes to a liquid

4.) Precipitation: when the water drops fall back down to Earth

5.) Water Cycle Steps in Order:

1.) Evaporation

2.) Condensation

3.) Precipitation

6.) Diagram of Water Cycle: See next page

Discussion Questions: 

1.) What do you think happens to a puddle of water on a rainy day?

2.) Do you think clouds are important in the water cycle?

3.) What happens in the water cycle during the winter?

4.) Can you name the stages of the water cycle? What happens in each stage?

Online Games

https://www.abcya.com/games/hydro_logic

https://www.turtlediary.com/game/water-cycle-steps.html

https://www.educationsoutheastwater.com.au/resources/natural-water-cycle-game

Water Cycle Diagram Activity

See next page and fill in the digram with the steps of the water cycle