Just like my other science blog posts, I am going to split up this Teaching Water Cycle post into three sections. First, learning, then secondly, experimenting, and finally, applying their new learning. This is how I liked to teach science topics in the classroom. I introduced the new information to them through our ELA block or science block. Then, I let the children explore new books and technology and we would move on to seeing the science topic in action. Finally, I followed up with some independent practice and application.
1. Learning About Water Cycle:
When teaching water cycle, there are a lot of different topics to cover! There are many different brand new vocabulary that the students are going to learn throughout the unit. I always like to start out with simply learning about water, what it is, how it helps us, etc. Then, we dive into how water moves around the world. Check out these fun learning videos and books for the water cycle…
(Source: BrainPopJr.)
This video outlines the water cycle and how water moves throughout the earth. It covers all major vocabulary and even a little bit more than what I typically teach my kiddos. They loved it though!
(Source: UNESCO You Tube)
Here’s another cute video for the water cycle.
These water cycle read alouds or nonfiction independent reads can be used in your centers, reading partner time, or used as a mentor text for a whole group lesson. Below are my affiliate links to Amazon for seven different books that will help you in teaching water cycle!
Down Comes the Rain
The Water Cycle At Work
The Drop in my Drink
The Water Cycle- Pebble Go
Water
Ethan the Raindrop
The Magic School Bus: Wet All Over
2. Testing Out New Knowledge:
After several days of learning what the water cycle is and all the ways that water moves about the earth, it’s time for the kiddos to put all of that information into action. Below, I link to two different experiments that can help solidify your students knowledge!
(Source: Rookie Parenting)
The water in a bag on the window is always one of my favorites! It really shows the students over time how the water cycle works. And just like with the bean plant experiment I blogged about a few years ago, they love to check on it every single day!
(Source: The Pinterested Parent)
The raining sponge is a very neat project, too, because it shows how the sponge acts as a cloud holding in the rain. Check out this simple and inexpensive science project!
3. Reviewing Knowledge:
Throughout my teaching water cycle unit, I love to have students work in groups or in partners to review what they’ve learned that day. Below are several resources that can help streamline your daily lesson plans for your water cycle unit.
(Source: Water Cycle No-Prep Unit)
The no-prep unit for plants includes many different types of activities to incorporate into your lessons. Each day, the kids can read a different passage and answer comprehension questions. There are also cut and glue diagrams to help, along with writing pieces to match those cut and glue pieces. There are mini books and comprehension questions, writing pages, research pages, and more!
(Source: Water Cycle Flip Book)
This flip book can be used as a culminating review activity or a final activity. Or it can be used towards the beginning of the unit to introduce teaching water cycle. There are five pages. One is reading passages about the water cycle. The Let’s Answer page is questions about the passage. Let’s List and Let’s Sort let them get interactive with their knowledge on vocabulary and science terms. And the last page, Let’s Write is a place for them to write what they’ve learned!
Freebie Time!
(Source: Water Cycle FREEBIE)
There are two options for this freebie. You can split your class into groups. Each group will get the three pieces of paper included in the freebie, plus they’ll need chart paper. The group will create a water cycle chart to share with their other classmates. Another option would be to use these vocab cards to create your own anchor chart to display throughout the unit for student reference.
This freebie is an email sign-up offer. When you sign up, you’ll receive this freebie in your inbox. Then, every Wednesday you’ll get a weekly email filled with goodies, freebies, and other ideas!
Resources for Teaching Water Cycle
