Lesson Plan
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Oceans

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students use their prior knowledge to being their examination of the water cycle. In groups, they complete an experiment in which they can see water evaporating and coming back to the ground. They discover the ocean's water evaporates...
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The Effect of Rain on Morning Temperatures

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders study the effects of the water cycle. They create a graph of the air temperature versus solar radiation on a rainy and clear 24 hour period using data from a provided link. Afterward, they answer questions to determine the...
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If I Were A Raindrop!

For Teachers K
Students review the water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students review the different stages of the water cycle. Students use the computer program Kid Pix Weather to help demonstrate understanding.
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Moving without Wheels

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students observe a simple water cycle model to better understand its role in pollutant transport. This activity shows one way in which pollution is affected by the water cycle; it simulates a point source of pollution in a lake and the...
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Miniature Water Cycles

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners construct a model of the water cycle in action using two-liter pop bottles to build a terrarium. Locate examples of evaporation and condensation in the water cycle (e.g., water evaporates when heated and clouds or dew forms when...
Lesson Plan
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Evaporation

For Teachers 1st
First graders explore, analyze, document and study weather and the water cycle. They observe the weather and begin a weather journal. Each student interacts with the concepts of evaporation, condensation and precipitation, clouds,...
Lesson Plan
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The Magic School Bus Wet All Over Clean-up!

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students investigate the water cycle using activities from The Magic School Bus series. They determine what happens when water is heated and cooled by observing two different experimental set-ups.
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Latent Heat and Clouds

For Teachers 5th - 12th
Students explore latent heat and how it relates to clouds in the atmosphere.  In this earth science lesson plan students investigate how clouds are formed. Students examine clouds and the water cycle.
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The Water Cycle

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders observe that water travels in a cycle. They study the parts of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. They demonstrate the cyclical movement of water either by drawing the water cycle at the board,...
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The Case of the Missing Water

For Teachers 2nd - 3rd
Learners examine the major concepts related to the water cycle in this lesson. They recognize and define evaporation, condensation, precipitation and the natural cycles that occur as weather. They also participate in an activity of...
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Up, Up, and Away

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Young scholars create a model to explore the water cycle. Students also perform different experiments to witness water changing from a liquid to a gas. Young scholars are asked to if they can find ways for water to go away without...
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The Water Cycle

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Students create an "animated" water cycle wheel that illustrates where water comes from and where it goes.
Lesson Plan
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Water as a Cycle

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students collaborate with a partner to create a large diagram containing one aspect of the water cycle. They are encouraged to include academic language and pictures for their presentation. Their is a peer evaluation sheet that is...
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Water World Story

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders write a story about how a drop of water may have traveled to school. They design a presentation on the water cycle.
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Water Cycle in a Bag

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars participate in a hands-on activity that demonstrates how the water cycle functions. Students look specifically at condensation and evaporation during the recycling of water.
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Where Has All the Water Gone?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the Earth's water cycle. In this water cycle lesson, students explore evaporation and precipitation, and talk about how engineers create dams based on these concepts. This is a lecture based lesson.
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What Goes Around Comes Around!

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students create an ecosystem in a jar to show a model of the water, carbon, and nitrogen cycle. Working in small groups, they research and present orally the information they find on this cycle.
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It's So Sticky Outside That...

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine the phases of the water cycle and water's different forms it can have. They work in groups to create pantomimes to illustrate the water cycle to their classmates.
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The Water Cycle

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders compare what occurs in terrariums to the water cycle on the earth and in it's atmosphere. They create a story as evidence of their knowledge of the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
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Physical Changes and States of Matter - One

For Teachers 3rd Standards
Third graders study the three states of matter and identify the physical changes that take place between them. There is an initial teacher-led demonstration followed by a meaningful whole-class inquiry. These two activities should lead...
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Early Explorers

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders study early explorers. For this World history lesson, 5th graders draw an outline of a map labeling each part, build geographical features out of dough, and paint each of the land and water features.
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Water and Ice

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students explore the states of water. In this water states instructional activity, students observe ice over time and the changes that take place. Students read a related text and draw their observations in a journal entry. Students...
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TRANSPIRATION IN PLANTS

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students define the hydrologic cycle, define transpiration, name the three parts of the hydrologic cycle, and record the amount of moisture given off by several green plants.
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The Rain Maker

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders work in small groups with a cup each of several materials. Students layer the gravel, sand, and water into a resealable bag. They draw a picture of this bag in their water journal. Students place their sealed bags in a...