Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

The Water Cycle

For Teachers 2nd - 8th Standards
Observe the water cycle from the comfort of your classroom with this excellent earth science experiment. Working collaboratively, young scientists first create terrariums complete with hills, plants, lakes, and an...
Handout
Curated OER

Water/Agua

For Teachers 3rd
Third graders complete water activities including vocabulary, visualization and performing activities. They study water vocabulary words in both English and Spanish. They listen to a read aloud of Jane Yolen's, Letting Swift River Go,...
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US Geological Survey

U.s. Geological Survey: What Is the Water Cycle?

For Students 9th - 10th
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.
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eSchool Today

E School Today: Your Revision Notes on the Water Cycle

For Students 4th - 8th
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.
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Center for Educational Technologies

Earth Science Explorer: The Water Cycle

For Students 4th - 9th
This is a very brief overview of the water cycle, but it does have a nice graphical representation.
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US Geological Survey

Usgs: The Water Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the movement of water from Earth's surface to the atmosphere with this site. Site describes the water cycle in words and with a diagram. Also explored on the page is the distribution of Earth's global water supply.
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CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Processes of the Water Cycle Study Guide

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about the water cycle. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.
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Curated OER

Weather Dude: The Water Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
Informational weather site highlights The Water Cycle. Discover how it works and learn more about evaporation and condensation.
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University of Illinois

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: The Hydrologic Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
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,...
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Science Struck

Science Struck: A Simple Guide to the Steps of the Water Cycle

For Students 3rd - 5th
The steps in the water cycle and the processes that occur are explained in this resource.
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Missouri Botanical Garden

Missouri Botanical Garden: The Water Cycle

For Students 3rd - 5th
This simple overview provides definitions of key terms in the water cycle and a diagram showing the path water takes in this cycle.
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Other

New Jersey Section of the American Water Works Association: The Water Cycle

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Simple diagram and explanations of the water cycle and related terms.
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PBS

Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Water Cycle

For Students Pre-K - 1st
An explanation of the water cycle.
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Science Struck

Science Struck: Water Cycle: An Easy Explanation for Kids

For Students 3rd - 5th
Provides a simple explanation of the water cycle by describing four main stages - evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. Includes three project ideas and some interesting facts.
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Science Struck

Science Struck: Water Cycle Diagram

For Students 4th - 6th
Describes the four main stages of the water cycle - evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.
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US Geological Survey

Usgs: How Much Water Is There on (And In) the Earth?

For Students 3rd - 8th
The USGS gives an overview of the amount of water on Earth and where it is located. It gives a few interesting facts about the Earth's supply of water. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
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University of Illinois

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: A Summary of the Hydrologic Cycle

For Students 3rd - 8th
Animation and text explain the water--or hydrologic--cycle, which is the process that water undergoes in nature.
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NOAA

Noaa: National Weather Service: Simplified Hydrologic Cycle

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Weather Service offers information on the processes that make up the water (hydrologic) cycle, including evaporation and transpiration, precipitation, run-off, infiltration, and percolation. Has a good illustration and...
Handout
US Geological Survey

Usgs: "Thirsty? How 'Bout Seawater?"

For Students 3rd - 8th
This U.S. Geological Survey website explains the desalinization method used by some communities to change sea water into drinking water. Click Home to access the site in Spanish.
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Other

Niwa: Common Hydrological Terms

For Students 9th - 10th
A glossary of terms that describe the processes that occur in hydrology. Glossary explains evaporation, precipitation, soil moisture, groundwater, and stream flow.