The Water Cycle in Action!

I love LOVE LOVE teaching science.  Last week we started our weather unit. Today's topic was the water cycle. (Students were excited, because they heard this term before when we made our terrariums!)  I started off reading from our science big book, useful, but no real memory burn there!  I had everyone stand up so we could sing the water cycle song. (video coming tomorrow)

After our wonderful rendition of the water cycle song, I called everyone over to the table.  I poured some warm water into a cup and placed plastic wrap on top, securing it with a rubber band.  I asked, what happens to accumulated water?  We came to the understanding that it evaporates.  Then, I asked, what happens when those water droplets (water vapor) meet cooler air?  Again, we came to the understanding, it condenses and forms clouds.  I placed ice cubes on top of the plastic wrap to simulate cooler air in the atmosphere.

Ice cubes on top of the plastic wrap.

We went back to our seats to draw what we just observed. Then we had to wait 15 minutes. (Check your child's folder and you will see our completed experiment observations.)

While we waited for 15 minutes, we made a movable water cycle diagram.  (Check your child's folder and you will see this lovely item in their as well!) 

After the 15 minutes was up, We went back to the table and I took off the ice cubes.  We were so excited to see that there was water drops on the plastic wrap. I asked, why did the water collect on the underside of the plastic wrap?  To my amazement, someone said, that it was like the water collecting in the sky to make clouds!  WHAT?!  I was floored that we made the connection so quickly! 

We went back to our spots to draw in the second circle, what they predicted would happen next.  After prediction, we observed the container to see if our predictions were correct. I placed the container under the document camera so everyone could get a good look!

Apparently observing the container upside down is scientifically necessary.

Slowly, but surly we saw some drops fall from the plastic wrap and into the water. We were so excited to see this happen!  I had everyone return to their places to draw the outcome in the third circle.  We discussed that when water vapor that forms clouds is cooled, it condenses.  The droplets combine and adhere to other small particles in the atmosphere.  (Just like the droplets combined and adhered to the plastic wrap.)  When the droplets become heavy, they drop from the clouds in the form of precipitation.  Precipitation can be in the form of rain, hail, sleet or snow, depending on the temperature.

Enjoy some of these video clips that help explain the water cycle!