Water Cycle (Sun and Oceans)
Supporting
TEKS Objective
Explain how the sun and the ocean interact in the water cycle.
Essential Understanding
The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among the Sun, Earth, and Moon system.
Science Background
Water Science for Schools: US Geological Survey (website) - Information on many aspects of the science of water, along with pictures, data, maps and an interactive Activity Center where students can give opinions and test their water knowledge.
Water Science for Schools
US Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center, water.usgs.gov
Signature Lesson
What is the Water Cycle? BioEd Online (website) - Students build, observe and discuss a simple model of the water cycle, including an explination of the interaction between the Sun and the ocean. Teacher background information included.
- Supporting Lessons
- Extensions
- Assessment Ideas
- Literature Connections
- Related
TEKS - Additional Resources
Supporting Lessons
Make a Water Cycle Wristband: American Chemical Society (PDF) - Students create wristbands from colored beads to remember each stage of the water cycle.
Make a Water Cycle Wristband
American Chemical Society, portal.acs.org
Build a Model of the Water Cycle: Oceans Alive (website) - Students identify the elements of the water cycle and learn that the sun is the source of energy driving the water cycle.
Build a Model of the Water Cycle
Oceans Alive, Museum of Science, Boston, www.mos.org
Elaboration Lessons and Extensions
Water Planet/Water Cycle: FOSSWeb (website) - This module explores the water cycle.
Science for Kids: American Chemical Society (website) - Lessons on a wealth of concepts for elementary students related to physical and Earth science.
Assessment Ideas
Have each student answer the questions, Where does water come from? and Where does water go? in one of the following ways.
- Draw or paint the answers.
- Write a poem to answer the questions.
- Write a life history of a raindrop.
Literature Connections
Drip! Drop! How Water Gets to Your Tap. Seuling, Barbara (ISBN: 0-823-41459-0)
A Drop Around the World. Shaw-McKinney, Barbara (ISBN: 1-883-22072-6)
Oceans. Delta Education (ISBN: 1-592-42373-6)
Oceans. Simon, Seymour (ISBN: 0-060-88999-3)
Water. Flanagan, Alice (ISBN: 0-7565-0038-9)
Water. Ditchfield C., Jenner J. and Vargus NR. (ISBN: 0-516-29369-9)
Water, Water Everywhere. Rauzon MJ and Overbeck-Bix C. (ISBN: 0-871-56383-5)
Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain. Aardema, Verna (ISBN: 0-140-54616-2)
This Is the Ocean. Hamilton, Kersten (ISBN: 1-563-97890-3)
Water Dance. Locker, Thomas (ISBN: 0-152-16396-4)
The Water Cycle. Frost, Helen (ISBN: 0-7368-2314-X)
Global Warming: The Threat of Earth’s Changing Climate. Pringle, Lawrence (ISBN: 1-587-17009-4)
Additional Resources
Mini Water Cycle: ABC Science Online (PDF) - Students observe the water cycle in action inside a mini solar still.
Mini Water Cycle
ABC Science Online, www.abc.net.au
Follow a Drop Through the Water Cycle: US Geological Survey (website) - Explains the water cycle by following a single drop of water through all different parts of the cycle.
Water Cycle Animation: Exploring Earth (website) - Observe a raindrop traveling through the water cycle.
TEKS Navigation
Grade 5
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