Objective
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the water cycle and its different stages.
Materials and Prep
- A clear glass or jar
- A plate or plastic wrap
- A marker or pen
- Water
- A sunny window or lamp
No prior knowledge or preparation is required for this lesson.
Activities
- Label the glass or jar with the word "Water Cycle".
- Fill the glass or jar about halfway with water.
- Cover the glass or jar with the plate or plastic wrap and secure it with the marker or pen.
- Place the glass or jar near a sunny window or lamp.
- Observe the glass or jar over the next few days and discuss the changes you see.
- Explain the different stages of the water cycle as you observe them, including evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.
- Remove the cover from the glass or jar and let it continue to sit for a few more days.
- Discuss the final stage of the water cycle, which is collection.
Third Grade Talking Points
- "The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on Earth."
- "Water evaporates from bodies of water, like rivers, lakes, and oceans, and turns into water vapor in the air."
- "When the water vapor cools down, it condenses and forms clouds in the sky."
- "When the tiny water droplets in the clouds come together, they form larger droplets, and eventually, the droplets become too heavy and fall to the ground as precipitation."
- "Precipitation can be rain, snow, sleet, or hail."
- "After precipitation, water collects in rivers, lakes, and oceans, and the cycle starts all over again."