1. The Sun and the Water Cycle
We have the glick for 7th grade E.ES – which is Demonstrate, using a model or drawing, the relationship between the warming by the sun of the Earth and the water cycle as it applies to the atmosphere (evaporation, water vapor, warm air rising, cooling, condensation, clouds).
By: Laura Wolfe and Amanda Clark

2. GLCE
Standard: E. ES Demonstrate, using a model or drawing, the relationship between the warming by the sun of the Earth and the water cycle as it applies to the atmosphere (evaporation, water vapor, warm air rising, cooling condensation, clouds).

3. Engage Read Water Cycle skit Review previous knowledge
Have fun reading how water drops communicate
Skit
To engage the students we would have them read a water cycle skit that follows two water drops through the water cycle. This would use previous knowledge and have a little fun to the class and get them prepared to learn about the water cycle.

4. Explore Experiment 1 Experiment 2 Cloud Formation
Salty water and "sun“
Watch video due
Work in groups after observing what happens during experiments and fill out worksheets.
We have two experiments here but we will only perform one fully and we will set up the other one but will watch a video how the other one would work. This is due to time constraints today but in actual class maybe set up experiment in morning so it can evaporate and condense while school is going on. Have students check watch set up and make initial observations so they could see the differences after the water can evaporate and condense.
Please take observations while experiments are performed.
After experiments please get into groups of 2-3 and bring observations you made and answer the questions on the worksheets.

5. Explore cont. Review observations by students
What parts of the water cycle observed?
What caused the cloud to form?
Why is the condensed water not salty?
What role does the sun play?
Now that you have answered the questions about the experiments let’s see what you observed. Ask these questions and write on board to be sure to correct or reinforce concepts during explain.

6. Explain Power point presentation
Be sure to bring the observations from the explore into context with the explain
We have a power point presentation for the water cycle with explanations of evaporation, condensation, transpiration, the role of the sun, cloud formation,

7. Evaporation Evaporation occurs as liquid water turns into water vapor
Sun’s energy heats up the liquid water to change it to vapor
Oceans, plants, glaciers, lakes and land are places where evaporation can take place

8. Condensation Condensation is when water vapor changes to a liquid form
Wind blows water vapor to form clouds
Small particles (like smoke, salt) combine with the water vapor molecules to form clouds, called condensation
nuclei.
Fog is also condensation,
at the surface instead of
in the sky

9. Precipitation Cloud water drops fall as Snow (solid) Rain (liquid)
Hail (solid)
Ice (solid)
Because the water drops become to heavy
Primary source of fresh water on Earth

10. Precipitation cont. The water drops either fall
Into the ocean to start again
Onto the land
Runoff (back to Oceans, lakes and groundwater) and Evaporation
Lakes for Evaporation
Groundwater
Glaciers-Evaporate back into the atmosphere

11. Transpiration
Plants is where transpiration occurs. It is how plants return water back into atmosphere as water vapor through the
plant’s stomata (openings on
the underside of the leaves
The role of the sun to plants for photosynthesis (how plants make food) is very important

12. Assignment
Create a water cycle bottle and write a paper explaining the balance and importance of each part of the water cycle. Also in the paper will be a “What if” question.
Include in your paper
Sun’s energy
Transpiration
Evaporation
Condensation
Property of water in each stage
Clouds
Precipitation
After the presentation we have an elaborate activity of making a water cycle bottle. (Show bottle) They will also write a paper explain the bottle and answer a “what if” questions "what if one part of the cycle quit working?” or “what if the water cycle becomes contaminated?” They will need to apply what they have learned about the water cycle and then come up with solutions and supporting reasons for their chosen question. This paper will be 1-2 pages in length.

13. Evaluate
Participation in experiments, group work and making a water bottle
Water cycle bottle completion and accuracy
Paper about water cycle bottle and “what if”

14. Resources

15. Resources cont.
Book
Ahrens, C. Donald. Essentials of Meteorology. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, 2012.
Water Cycle Bottle Project
Water Wonders – University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History Family Reading & Science Workshops, workshop