To prepare for a performance task assessment, class members review the stages of the water cycle and then individuals assume the roles of drops of water for a Reader's Theater exercise. The script, a graphic depicting the water cycle,...

This easy-to-perform demonstration shows students how the water cycle, specifically the processes of condensation and evaporation, purifies Earth's water supply. Just mix up some water, dirt, and gravel in a glass bowl, place a cup in...

This is one in several lessons that explore the relationship between temperature and phase changes of water. After some discussion, elementary physical scientists place wet paper toweling on a hot and a room-temperature water bag and...

Crystallize the answer to the question that has been investigated since the first of four lessons: What is the unknown crystal? Pupils have examined, crushed, and dissolved four samples plus an unknown as an exploration of the properties...

If you have or want to order the dipping bird demonstration, it is useful for showing how evaporation and changes in the pressure of a closed system cause cyclical motion. After teaching about pressure, consider setting this little guy...

Young scientists transform themselves into rivers, oceans, clouds, and drops of water in order to explore the water cycle. After assigning and explaining to students their different roles in the activity, the teacher reads aloud a...

Here is a hands-on, or rather, feet-on activity that illuminates evaporation and explains why we sweat. Putting on both a wet and a dry sock, learners place their feet in front of a fan and chill out for a few minutes. This is an ideal...

Incorporate art and poetry into an early elementary science lesson about cloud formation. With fun and engaging activities that follow a natural learning progression, youngsters will develop key vocabulary and conceptual understanding...

Use this as a pop quiz when covering the water cycle with your elementary earth scientists. There are five blanks to fill in, including the three main steps (evaporation, condensation, and precipitation), and also transpiration and...

Here is a picture of a landscape, complete with the sun, clouds, and some rain. Use it by projecting onto your whiteboard and drawing arrows and labeling three main steps in the water cycle as you teach, or hand it out to little ones as...

Meant to be a pre-field trip lesson, this can also serve as a cute and simple activity to use when your little ones are learning about evaporation or surface area. The children cut tiny t-shirts out of paper towel material, wet them, and...

The water cycle is one of earth's most easily observable processes, but demonstrating each step within classroom walls can be a challenge. Through a series of videos and quick demonstrations, cover each aspect of the hydrologic cycle in...

Will tomorrow's soccer game be rained out? That depends on the water cycle. An animated feature explains precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, and condensation with diagrams and dialogue between Sam and RJ as they huddle under a...

Small groups place sand and ice in a covered box, place the box in the sunlight, then observe as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation occur. These models serve as miniature water cycles and demonstrations of the three phases of...

Make your own crystals. Learners can use borax, water, food coloring, and a string to make a colorful crystal. This is a great way to explore chemical reactions, crystal formation, or evaporation.

Bring the water cycle to life through poetry. This introductory explanation rhymes from start to finish, making the water cycle process memorable and fun. Great images showing the process make this a good video to show learners in grades...

Make your own crystals. Learners can use borax, water, food coloring, and a string to make a colorful crystal. This is a great way to explore chemical reactions, crystal formation, or evaporation.

The Hubble telescope captures an event never before seen be the human eye. An extra-solar planet orbited too close to its parent star and evaporated away. This gives scientists an understanding of what would happen if a gas giant were...

An expert on the water cycle is featured giving a lecture about the basics of the water cycle. The teacher stands at a whiteboard that has a particularly good illustration that shows how the cycle works quite nicely. He makes a special...

Although very short, this video imparts the basic information associated with the water cycle. It might be best-used as a refresher for the teacher to make sure he/she has the most important vocabulary words and their definitions down.

Matter can change from one phase to another through heating or freezing. This video fully and clearly describes the changes that occur when water freezes or boils. Solid narration, clear description, and good examples make this a good...

One of the best earth science videos awaits you here! The engaging narrator takes your class on a journey around the globe to see how the water cycle works in a variety of environments. Some fascinating video footage and time-lapse...

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...

Are you looking for a great collection of lessons and activities on the water cycle? This plan is for you! In it, second graders engage in hands-on lessons that cover science, langugage arts, and art as they study the water cycle. Topics...