Lesson Plan: The Water Cycle for Third Graders

Objective: Students will understand the basic stages of the water cycle, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.

Materials Needed:

• Chart paper and markers

• Water Cycle Diagram (large poster or projector)

• Small plastic containers

• Water

• Heat source (lamp or sun)

• Ice cubes

• Plastic wrap

• Blue food coloring

• Paper and pencils

Introduction (10 minutes):

1. Hook: Begin with a simple question, “Where do you think the water in your glass comes from?” Encourage students to share their ideas.

2. Introduce the Water Cycle: Explain that water is always moving around Earth in a cycle called the water cycle. Show a large diagram of the water cycle and point out the key stages: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.

Activity 1: Evaporation Demonstration (15 minutes):

1. Explanation: Explain evaporation as the process where water changes from a liquid to a gas (water vapor) when it heats up.

2. Demonstration: Place a small amount of water with blue food coloring in a container under a heat source (like a lamp or sunlight). Ask students to observe what happens over time.

3. Discussion: Discuss what they see and explain that the water is turning into vapor and rising into the air.

Activity 2: Condensation Demonstration (15 minutes):

1. Explanation: Explain condensation as the process where water vapor cools and changes back into liquid droplets.

2. Demonstration: Hold an ice cube wrapped in plastic wrap above the warm water in the container. The students will observe droplets forming on the plastic wrap.

3. Discussion: Discuss what they see and explain that the water vapor is cooling and turning back into liquid water droplets.

Activity 3: Precipitation and Collection (15 minutes):

1. Explanation: Explain precipitation as the process where water falls from the clouds as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. Collection is where the water gathers in rivers, lakes, and oceans.

2. Demonstration: Create a mini water cycle using a plastic container, water, a small amount of soil, and ice cubes. Cover the container with plastic wrap and place it in sunlight. The heat will cause evaporation, the ice will cause condensation, and water droplets will “precipitate” inside the container.

3. Observation: Have students observe the mini water cycle over time and describe the stages they see.

Group Activity: Water Cycle Diagram (20 minutes):

1. Materials: Provide chart paper and markers.

2. Task: Divide students into small groups and have each group create a large diagram of the water cycle. They should label and illustrate each stage.

3. Presentation: Have each group present their diagram to the class, explaining each stage in their own words.

Conclusion (10 minutes):

1. Review: Summarize the key stages of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.

2. Q&A: Allow time for questions and answers to reinforce understanding.

3. Wrap-up Activity: Distribute paper and pencils and ask students to write a short story or draw a picture about a water droplet’s journey through the water cycle.

Assessment:

• Participation in discussions and activities.

• Accuracy and creativity of the group water cycle diagrams.

• Understanding demonstrated through the short story or drawing.

Homework (Optional):

• Ask students to observe the weather over the next week and note any instances of the water cycle they see (e.g., rain, dew, puddles drying up).

This lesson plan incorporates visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning activities to ensure all students can grasp the concepts of the water cycle effectively.