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)
Keisha Kidd, Curriculum Support Specialist
Mary Tweedy, Curriculum Support Specialist
Millard Lightburn, PHD Instructional Supervisor

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.
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3. Department of Mathematics and Science
The Water Cycle
What are the three main processes?
Evaporation
Condensation
Precipitation
Engage:
Prior Knowledge (Review Essential Lab background information)
Learning about the water cycle is an advanced concept. Students will probably not know the vocabulary related to understanding the concept. It is likely that students know about precipitation, but will not have a solid understanding of condensation and evaporation. Students probably have many misconceptions about the different forms of water and how it forms a cycle. It will help to frontload the important vocabulary before teaching this unit.
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4. Department of Mathematics and Science
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?
Explore: See Learning Village Science Gr. 5 Pacing Guide Q3 Essential Lab # 8 : Water Cycle
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5. EXPLORE Essential Lab #8 Review (3 – 5 days)
Water Cycle Activity
EXPLORE Essential Lab #8 Review (3 – 5 days)
Explore:
Have students follow directions for Essential Lab #8 found in the Learning Village Pacing Guides Gr. 5 Q 3.
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.
Teacher Notes:
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.
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6. Department of Mathematics and Science
One more look at the Water Cycle Let’s Explore: What causes water to change from a gas to a liquid to a solid?
Explore/Explain: Have students do the 2015 Condensation lab (Presented at the Science Leaders’ ICAD 4 meeting) and then use the CER as the conclusion. Students can also do the Inquiry in Action at Investigation 6.5 From Gas to Liquid to Solid page 372
Elaborate:
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7. 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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8. 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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9. CONDENSATION What process is it when water vapor forms clouds?
Explain/Evaluate
CONDENSATION
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10. Rain or snow falls from clouds
What is precipitation?
Rain or snow falls from clouds
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11. 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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12. Department of Mathematics and Science
Draw a model of the water cycle in your science journal. Label parts.
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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13. Department of Mathematics and Science
Compare you model.
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14. 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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15. 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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16. 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. .
Evaluate:
Review Additional Questions
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17. 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.
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18. 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.
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19. Enrichment / Extension
Water acts as an insulator, keeping the Earth’s temperature and weather patterns relatively stable. What property contributes to this? Imagine and discuss what would happen to our climate if the Earth wasn’t insulated so well.
Water has been called the Universal Solvent. Talk about what that actually means, and how we observe this property in our own lives, every day.
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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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.
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21. The Water Cycle never ends.
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