The Water Cycle: Journey of a Drop

• Science
• Primary Education
• Age 8

The Water Cycle: Journey of a Drop

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to explain the stages in the water cycle.

Introduce the learning objective to the students and explain the importance of understanding the water cycle.

What do you already know about the stages in the water cycle?

Slide 1: Introduction

The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.

Introduce the topic and provide a brief overview of the water cycle.

Slide 2: Stage 1 - Evaporation

Evaporation is the process where water changes from a liquid to a gas, usually due to heat.

Explain the first stage of the water cycle - evaporation. Discuss how heat causes water to change into water vapor.

Slide 4: Stage 3 - Precipitation

Precipitation is when water droplets in the clouds combine and become heavy enough to fall to the Earth as rain, snow, sleet, or hail.

Explain the third stage of the water cycle - precipitation. Discuss the different forms of precipitation and how they reach the Earth's surface.

Slide 5: Stage 4 - Runoff

Runoff is the movement of water on the Earth's surface, usually towards rivers, lakes, and oceans.

Describe the fourth stage of the water cycle - runoff. Explain how water flows over the ground and collects in bodies of water.

Slide 6: Stage 5 - Infiltration

Infiltration is when water seeps into the ground and becomes groundwater, replenishing underground water sources.

Explain the fifth stage of the water cycle - infiltration. Discuss how water is absorbed by the soil and enters underground reservoirs.

Slide 7: Stage 6 - Transpiration

Transpiration is the process where plants release water vapor into the atmosphere through their leaves.

Describe the sixth stage of the water cycle - transpiration. Discuss how plants contribute to the water cycle by releasing water vapor.

Slide 8: Recap

Recap the stages of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, infiltration, and transpiration.

Summarize the stages of the water cycle and reinforce their understanding through a quick recap.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.

Slide 3: Stage 2 - Condensation

Condensation occurs when water vapor cools down and changes back into liquid form, forming clouds.

Describe the second stage of the water cycle - condensation. Discuss how water vapor turns into water droplets to form clouds.