Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Building A Solar Still

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students investigate the water cycle by viewing an online video.  For this drinking water lesson, students create solar stills at their campus in order to purify water that is tainted.  Students view a video on their computers...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rain, Rain, Where Did You Go?

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students study the water cycle including condensation, evaporation, and precipitation. In this water cycle lesson plan, students watch a video and access assigned web sites to investigate the water cycle. They complete an experiment with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Clouds

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Students explore clouds.  In this weather lesson plan, students identify the steps in the water cycle, define condensation and evaporation, and relate this information to cloud formation.  Students perform a cloud experiment,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oh, Let the Rain Fall Down

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders explain the three phases of the water cycle in a narraive paragraph where they describe the journey of a single raindrop. They are introduced to five science vocabulary words and personfication.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Water Cycle

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders review and discuss, "The Water Cycle" and its key elements of evaporation, condensation and precipitation. They create a terrarium in groups to connect concepts of The Water Cycle and to view precipitation, condensation,...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Evaporation

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Young scholars study the evaporation stage of the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson plan, students participate in an experiment to study the process of evaporation that uses jars and water. Young scholars complete an...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical Changes and States of Matter

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study evaporation and condensation as parts of the water cycle. First they determine the similarities and differences between a cup of water and an ice cube before measuring the volume of ice before melting it, and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Young scholars explore water and how it changes forms.  In this investigative lesson students participate in an activity that shows them how water changes form and what it looks and feels like. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study the water cycle. In this science lesson plan, 5th graders distinguish among evaporation, condensation, and precipitation phases of the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rain On

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders explore evaporation and condensation. In this water cycle lesson, 4th graders investigate their surroundings for real-life examples of evaporation and condensation. Students conduct various experiments.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Condensation

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners participate in the scientific process to investigate what happens to water when it evaporates by observing condensation. In small groups they observe what happens to ice in a cup, and what occurs when they hold a bowl of ice...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Goes Around Comes Around

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate how the ocean plays a part in the water cycle. In this earth science instructional activity, students locate a puddle outside and mark it with chalk. Students observe the changes in the water during the next two days.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Edible Transformations

For Teachers K - 2nd
Learners differentiate the different phases of matter. For this chemistry lesson, students conduct several hands-on exercises to discover how matter transforms when mixed together. They identify the different stages in the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Forest Foundation

Forest Watersheds

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Where does the water we use come from? To understand the concept of a watershed, class members study the water cycle and then engage in an activity that simulates a watershed.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils investigate the water cycle and evaporation. They study the porosity and permeability of groundwater, and the capillary action in soil in this unit.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Wonderful world of Water

For Teachers 1st
First graders examine the water cycle through readings and experiments. In groups, they conduct interviews with others and use the information to create a chart displaying the various uses of water. After brainstorming lists of ways to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Rain, Rain, Go Away

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
Young scholars conduct a number of experiments involving evaporation and condensation. They view and discuss a video about the water cycle and then design posters about the rain based on the book "Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs".
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather and the Water Cycle

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders discover the causes of different types of weather. They draw pictures of the water cycle steps and answer worksheet questions. Students observe teacher-conducted demonstrations exemplifying condensation and evaporation.
Lesson Plan
Illinois Department of Natural Resources

Section Two: Why is Biodiversity Important?

For Teachers 3rd - 5th Standards
Explore soil, genetic traits, natural resources, and pollution in a series of lessons that focus on biodiversity. Kids complete experiments to learn more about the importance of varied genes and organisms in an ecosystem.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Send in the Clouds

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars culminate a study of the water cycle by following step-by-step directions to make a three dimensional cloud. On the model, they draw a diagram of the water cycle and label it, and add a written report they completed in a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Let's Make a Cloud

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students watch the teacher make a cloud. In this water cycle activity, students discuss the water cycle and see the formation of a cloud. The teacher leads the discussion including the role of water vapor, smoke and air pressure.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth System Science

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the Earth and its ability to support life. They discuss the geosphere and the water cycle and complete the Water Wonders activity. After completing the activity, they respond in their journals and reflect upon the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

"Tri-County" Project--Water Cycle

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students analyze the parts of the water cycle through research and experimentation. Particular attention is paid to the processes of evaporation and condensation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Physical Changes and States of Matter

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders identify a physical change as one that results in a change in size, shape, or state of matter. After an initial teacher-led discussion and demonstration, groups of students get together to perform an experiment which...