Water Cycle

We live in Eastern Oregon.  Winters are typically freezing, windy and full of blizzards.  Today it was 49 degrees, sunny and calm! I  have to admit that I am enjoying the sunshine and warmth immensely.  However, at the same time I find the change in our weather pattern disconcerting and somewhat alarming!  What better time to dive into some scientific inquiry about the water cycle, world habitats and weather!

I launched our study of the water cycle with Barbara McKinney's book A Drop Around the World and the first Water Magic lesson: water transformation, from her companion lesson plan book.  The kids ate it up and it was a great way to find out what they already knew.  While I read the book we followed the drop on a world map that I had projected on the promethean board.  We payed special attention to evaporation, condensation and precipitation.  After our science experiment, read aloud and class discussion students made flip books with our three vocabulary words and drew illustrations to show their understanding of each process.

Students illustrated each process of the water cycle to demonstrate understanding.  The student illustration for condensation is showing the water molecules attracting to each other.  So, so smart!

I also found this great video/song on Youtube about the water cycle.  We listened to it a few times before the kids went home today. They were all  humming the tune on their way out the door.  LOVED IT!

For homework tonight students were asked to think about how they can use what they are learning about water and the water cycle in their life outside of school.  What do you think they might say?