US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: What Is the Water Cycle?
A quick summary of the water cycle that includes a diagram of the cycle, with links to in-depth explanations of each component of the cycle. Click "water-cycle home" to access water-cycle resources in a variety of languages.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: The Other Water Cycle
For learners that have already been introduced to the water cycle, this lesson is intended as a logical follow-up. Students will learn about human impacts on the water cycle that create a pathway for pollutants beginning with urban...
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Natural and Urban "Stormwater" Water Cycle Models
Students apply their understanding of the natural water cycle and the urban stormwater water cycle, as well as the processes involved in both cycles to hypothesize how the flow of water is affected by altering precipitation.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Natural and Urban Stormwater Water Cycles
Through an overview of the components of the hydrologic cycle and the important roles they play in the design of engineered systems, middle schoolers' awareness of the world's limited fresh water resources is heightened. The lesson lays...
eSchool Today
E School Today: Your Revision Notes on the Water Cycle
Learn about the different stages of the Earth's water cycle, and about processes involving water, including runoff, infiltration, and the differences between hard and soft water.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Make a Miniature Water Cycle Model
In this activity, you will investigate some of the processes that make water move in and out of the atmosphere by making a miniature water cycle model inside a plastic bag.
Center for Educational Technologies
Earth Science Explorer: The Water Cycle
This is a very brief overview of the water cycle, but it does have a nice graphical representation.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Episd: Water Cycle
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] An introduction to the biogeochemical cycle, the water cycle. Recognize evaporation, sublimation, and condensation. Identify groundwater and runoff water supplies.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Water Cycle
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers the water cycle.
Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture (Samoa) Government
Mesc: Samoa School Net: Rain and Water Cycle: Weather and Water Cycle
Explains the different stages in the water cycle while covering important vocabulary. Supported by lots of visuals and includes a good water cycle animation.
US Geological Survey
U.s. Geological Survey: Water Science for Schools
A collection of resources--pictures, maps, data, glossary--about water and the water cycle.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: The Water Cycle
This site provides a comprehensive introduction to the water cycle. High schoolers construct a model to simulate parts of the water cycle. Includes background information, links to standards, lesson plans, and assessment ideas.
TeachEngineering
Teach Engineering: Where Has All the Water Gone?
Students learn about the Earth's water cycle, especially about evaporation. Once a dam is constructed, its reservoir becomes a part of the region's natural hydrologic cycle by receiving precipitation, storing runoff water and evaporating...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: The Water Cycle
This is a hands applied lesson plan to help middle schoolers experience the water cycle on a smaller scale. Because of the hands-on nature of the lesson, it works well to help students with a language barrier understand complicated...
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: The Hydrologic Cycle
Water is the source of life on earth. It exists in many forms and is constantly changing. The circulation and conservation of earth's water is called the hydrologic (or water) cycle. Find out how water evaporates, condensates,...
Museum of Science
Oceans Alive: The Water Planet
Check out this simple overview of the water cycle and learn how to build a model of the water cycle.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fifth Grade Science: Earth Science: Water on Earth
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses water and where it occurs on Earth, gives an overview of the water cycle, and explains how the ocean is an integral part of the water cycle and is...
Curated OER
Math/science Nucleus: Water Cycle Animation
This animation, in a storybook format, discusses water and the water cycle.
Missouri Botanical Garden
Missouri Botanical Garden: The Water Cycle
This simple overview provides definitions of key terms in the water cycle and a diagram showing the path water takes in this cycle.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Water: A Never Ending Story
Students carry out a number of activities that demonstrate the concepts of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and soil moisture and runoff. Then students construct a terrarium as a way to observe the water cycle. Immediately...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Water Cycle
[Free Registration/Login Required] This is a science flipchart that reviews the stages of the water cycle and also ways in which the water cycle affects weather such as hurricanes and tornadoes.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Soil and Water Resources
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Covers soil and water resources and the threats to these resources.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Water and Wind
This interactive tutorial discusses the flow of water on the surface and below the surface. You will learn about the causes and actions of wind, and how water and wind move sediment.
Other
Virtual Field Trip: Water/aquifers
This virtual field trip for middle school students looks at aquifers and their place in the hydrologic cycle. Students learn why and how it is important to protect the source of your drinking water and some unique details about the...