Learning Resource Type

Learning Activity

Water Cycle

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

2

Overview

This learning activity may be used before a Water Cycle Lesson to actively engage students. The students will be introduced to the terms condensation, evaporation, and precipitation. Students may dance, sing, and/or move along with the video in order to learn the vocabulary and the movement that is connected to the Water Cycle. 

This activity is a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 2

    SC15.2.8

    Make observations from media to obtain information about Earth’s events that happen over a short period of time (e.g., tornados, volcanic explosions, earthquakes) or over a time period longer than one can observe (e.g., erosion of rocks, melting of glaciers).

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.2.8

    Vocabulary

    • Earth events/natural phenomena
    • Earthquake
    • Flood
    • Tornado
    • Volcanic explosions
    • Glaciers
    • Erosion
    • Landslides
    • Weathering

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Earth events and the results of those events may occur slowly or rapidly.
    • Some events are much longer than can be observed.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Make observations and obtain information from multiple sources to provide evidence about Earth events.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Eart's events may change the Earth slowly or rapidly.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Stability and Change

    Phase

    Before/Engage
    Learning Objectives

    Learning Objectives

    Students will make observations from media about a short-term Earth event: The Water Cycle.

    The students will say/sing the terms evaporation, condensation, and precipitation with the movements of the Water Cycle correctly. 

    Activity Details

    Review the states of Matter: Liquid, Gas, and Solid. Tell the students that today we will learn about one of Earth's events, The Water Cycle. Tell them that on the board/chart paper are some terms, vocabulary words, that are used to describe The Water Cycle (Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation). Have the students say each term after you have pronounced each word. Tell them that Evaporation is the process of turning from a liquid into vapor (gas). Condensation is the changing of a vapor or gas to a liquid; it is about to rain. Precipitation is moisture that falls to the ground such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Show the students the video via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM-59ljA4Bs After the Educator shows the video the first time, students may sing/dance along with the video thereafter. The students will say/sing the terms evaporation, condensation, and precipitation with the movements of the Water Cycle correctly. 

    Assessment Strategies

    Assessment Strategies

    During the lesson, the educator will monitor that students are saying or singing the terms evaporation, condensation, and precipitation with the movements of the Water Cycle correctly. 

    Variation Tips

    You may give each student a blank sheet of paper, crayons, and cotton balls to have them illustrate the water cycle. The cotton balls may be used as clouds. Students may choose to paste the cotton balls on the paper as they are or break the cotton balls apart for thinner clouds. 

    Background and Preparation

    Background / Preparation

    Students prior knowledge on examples of some of Earth's events is recommended such as melting of glaciers, earthquakes, etc. Students prior knowledge of what is matter: solid, liquid, and gas is also recommended. Write the terms evaporation, condensation, precipitation, on the board or on chart paper for all students to see. Write the definitions for each term for all students to see: Evaporation is the process of turning from a liquid into vapor (gas). Condensation is the changing of a vapor or gas to a liquid; it is about to rain. Precipitation is moisture that falls to the ground such as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Have the students repeat each term after the Educator pronounces it. Then tell students what each term means. The educator will need to have the website, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM-59ljA4Bsready to display.

    Digital Tools / Resources

    ALSDE LOGO