1. Big Idea 7: Earth Systems and Patterns
The Water Cycle
SC.5.E.7.1 Create a model to explain the parts of the water cycle. Water can be a gas, liquid, or solid and can go back and forth from one state to another. (also assesses SC.5.E.7.2)
Please note: This is a revised version that is correlated the PSELL Big idea 7 Student booklet. M. Tweedy
Also please open your MDCPS Teacher Portal and minimize Discovery Education so that the DE hyperlinks will open.

2. Item Specifications Benchmark Clarifications
Students will identify and/or explain the parts of the water cycle.
Students will identify the states of water associated with each part of the water cycle and/or the phase changes that occur as water moves from one part of the water cycle to another.
Students will identify and/or describe the role of the ocean in the water cycle.
The Water Cycle – Common Misconceptions
The water cycle involves freezing and melting of water.
Reality: The water cycle involves liquid water being evaporated, water vapor condensing to form rain or snow in the clouds, which falls to the earth as precipitation.
Water evaporates from only lakes and oceans.
Reality: Water can evaporate from plants, animals, puddles, and the ground in addition to bodies of water.
When water boils or evaporates, it disappears or goes straight into the clouds.
Reality: Boiling water or water left in an open container evaporates, changing from liquid to gas. The gas escaping from boiling water is water vapor. When this vapor condenses in the air it is visible as tiny water droplets.
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3. Department of Mathematics and Science
Does This Matter to Me?
Have you ever thought about what it would be like if you didn’t have clean water to drink? Where does the water you drink come from? There is water all around us, in a lot of places. With your group, think about all of the places you see water in one week. Make a list.
Engage: Pose the PSELL introduction: Does This Matter to Me? questions. Discuss. Have them list and discuss where they’ve seen water in one week. Then have them read Water, Water, Everywhere PSELL passage from the student booklet p. 118 compare places to where water is found to where they’ve seen water. pp
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4. Department of Mathematics and Science
The Water Cycle
p. 119
What is water used for?
Where does a drop of water come from?
Why can we say we are always reusing the same water?
Explore/Explain: Ask what water used for? Read the first paragraph from PSELL p Discuss. Say Let’s watch this video clip to learn about other uses of water. Click on hyperlink: What is water used for? Have students list some uses in their science notebook.
Ask where does a drop of water come from? Use an eye dropper to release a few drops of water on a piece of wax paper. Play the video hyperlink: a drop of water .
Discuss. Have students read the second – third paragraph to find out how long water has been on Earth and why can we say we are always reusing the same water.
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5. The Water Cycle Study Jams video
What are the three main steps in the water cycle?
Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation
The process in which water turns from a gas into a liquid.
The process in which water changes from a liquid to a gas.
water that is released from clouds in the sky; includes rain, snow, sleet, and hail.
Explore/Explain: Ask students what they know about the water cycle? Then click on the Study jams hyperlink: The Water Cycle and play. Tell them you want them to find out about the three main steps of the water cycle. Have students discuss in groups using accountable talk strategies what they leaned in the video. Students can read PSELL P find more examples of Evaporation, Condensation and Precipitations. You can demonstrate evaporation using a hot plate and condensation with a cold water bottle.
Evaluation: have students match the three steps to their definitions.
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6. Around and Around It Goes!
Gr. 5 Essential Lab #10
Around and Around It Goes!
Essential Question:
What will happen to water in a cup if the cup is placed inside a sealed bag and left in a warm area?
Teacher Notes:
Download Essential Lab #10 found in the Learning Village Pacing Guides Gr. 5 Q 2 review the 5 E lesson plan.
In preparation for this activity, scan your school grounds and locate a hot, sunny wall area where students can mount their mini-water cycle bags. Bags can be affixed to a window facing south inside the classroom if one is available. The bags will need to remain on the wall undisturbed for 3 days. Students will observe the bags over three days. The first phase of the activity in day 1 should begin as early as possible in the school day. The mini-water cycle baggies will need to be checked each morning and afternoon for three days. Add blue food coloring to water before distributing to the groups.
Engage/Explore/Explain/Evaluate:
Have students follow directions for Essential Lab #10 found in the Learning Village Pacing Guides Gr. 5 Q 2.
1. After the third to fifth day of observations, ask students to share their observations and discuss how accurate their predictions were. Conduct a whole-class discussion addressing the questions in Teacher’s version.
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7. Department of Mathematics and Science
One more look at the Water Cycle Let’s Reflect: What is the role of the ocean in the water cycle?
Inquiry 8: Water Cycle Model pp
Elaborate/Extend: Alternative PSELL Inquiry 8: Water Cycle Model pp. 121 – 126.
Explore/Explain: students can use accountable talk strategies to discuss Let’s Reflect: What causes water to change states in the water cycle?
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8. Department of Mathematics and Science
What is the Sun’s role?
Heat from the sun changes water into water vapor
Explain/Evaluate
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9. Department of Mathematics and Science
What is the process called when the sun changes water into water vapor?
Explain/Evaluate
EVAPORATION
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10. CONDENSATION What process is it when water vapor forms clouds?
Explain/Evaluate
CONDENSATION
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11. Rain, sleet, hail or snow that falls from clouds
What is precipitation?
Rain, sleet, hail or snow that falls from clouds
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12. Department of Mathematics and Science
Water Cycle Song (to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming Around the Mountain”)
Water travels in a cycle, yes it does.
Use pointer finger to draw large circle in air.
Repeat above motion.
It goes up as evaporation,
Raise arms at side with palms up.
Forms clouds as condensation,
Brings hands together above head, forming large cloud shape with arms.
Then falls down as precipitation, yes it does.
Slowly lower arms at side with palms down, fingers moving.
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13. Department of Mathematics and Science
Draw a model of the water cycle in your science journal. Label parts.
Explain/Evaluate: have students explain what causes water to change from a gas to
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14. Department of Mathematics and Science
Compare you model.
Students evaluate their model.
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15. Brief Constructed Response
Describe one path water can take through the water cycle. Begin with water that falls to Earth as rain and end with water in clouds in the atmosphere.
Explain/Evaluate: have students use their model to complete their written explanation for the Brief Constructed response.
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16. Department of Mathematics and Science
Musical Review
Bill Nye Water Cycle Rap Video
Mr. Davies Water Cycle Video
Other Interactive Review Sites
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17. Department of Mathematics and Science
True or False
1. Water can be found naturally on Earth as a solid and a liquid, but not a gas.
False
2. The H2O molecule consists of one Hydrogen atom, and two Oxygen atoms.
3. It takes a lot of heat, or energy, to change the temperature of water.
True
4. Water covers approximately 75% of the Earth’s surface.
Evaluate:
Review True or False Quiz
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18. Department of Mathematics and Science
Review Questions
1. What is the role of the sun in the water cycle?
Answer: The sun provides energy that makes the water cycle happen.
2. How is water vapor created?
Answer: When the sun warms water it evaporates. When it evaporates it turns into water vapor. .
Explain/Evaluate:
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19. Department of Mathematics and Science
What happens to water vapor in the
water cycle?
Answer: Water vapor becomes part of the atmosphere. Then it cools and turns into liquid water or ice. The water or ice then falls back to Earth as precipitation.
Where does water collect on Earth after
falling from the sky?
Answer: Water collects in the oceans. It also collects in other bodies of water and underground.
Explain/Evaluate:
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20. Department of Mathematics and Science
GIZMOS Water Cycle Control the path of a drop of water as it travels through the water cycle. Many alternatives are presented at each stage. Determine how the water moves from one location to another, and learn how water resources are distributed in these locations.
The Gizmos: Phases of Water and Water Cycle can be used.
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21. The Water Cycle never ends.
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22. Enrichment /Elaboration
Although ¾ of the Earth’s surface is covered with water, only 3% of that is fresh water. The rest is salt water. Talk about the different sources we have for pure, fresh water. Also discuss the effects of human activity on our valuable water sources.
Enrichment/Extension:
Discuss topics and write reflection in science journals.
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