The Water Cycle
Learning Sequence
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Introduction
This course blends science with creativity, engaging students in the water cycle through hands-on experiments and artistic expression.
They’ll explore key concepts, document their learning creatively, and give back by using their art to educate others about the importance of the water cycle, fostering both understanding and environmental stewardship.
This week, we’re diving into the fascinating world of the water cycle, an endless journey that keeps our planet thriving. Imagine a world where mountains, lakes, and clouds are all connected in a beautiful dance—this is the magic of the water cycle!
As we embark on this adventure, we’ll uncover the secrets behind how water travels from the lakes to the sky and back again. You’ll discover how something as simple as a raindrop can create rivers, nourish plants, and even carve out entire landscapes.
But here’s the exciting part: you’ll get to document this incredible cycle in your own creative way. Whether it’s through drawing, writing, or building a model, you’ll bring the water cycle to life and see just how important it is for everything around us.
By the end of our journey, you’ll understand that the water cycle is not just a process—it’s the lifeblood of our planet, keeping everything in balance. And as you learn, you’ll become more aware of how we can all help protect this precious cycle for the future.
Let’s get started on this watery adventure!
Weekly Keywords
Introduce the water cycle vocabulary list and choose from this list of tasks that can be repeated and expanded upon if necessary:
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Copy the water cycle words into a spelling/vocabulary book for later reference.
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Use each new word in a sentence related to the water cycle, underlining the new vocabulary in red pencil.
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Arrange the water cycle words in alphabetical order.
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Use a dictionary to define each word specifically in the context of the water cycle, and add them to the vocabulary book.
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Represent each word with a picture or symbol related to the water cycle and play a guessing game (match the image to the word).
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Write a paragraph that includes all of the water cycle vocabulary.
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Create a vocabulary wall featuring all of the water cycle words.
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Use a thesaurus to find synonyms for each word and create a synonym list, ensuring the synonyms are also relevant to the water cycle.
These words are key to understanding the water cycle in this week’s lesson. Some may be familiar, but practice makes perfect!
First, read each word and define it as simply as you can, focusing on how it relates to the water cycle. An example is provided. You can write them in your books, draw a picture to match, or complete the task card.
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These words are key to understanding the water cycle in this week’s lesson. Some may be familiar, but practice makes perfect!
First, read each word and define it as simply as you can, focusing on how it relates to the water cycle. An example is provided. You can write them in your books, draw a picture to match, or complete the task card.
Quote of the Week - Jacques-Yves Cousteau
This week, we’ll draw inspiration from Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s wisdom about the vital connection between water and life. Students will explore a key quote, interpreting its significance from their own perspectives, perhaps through art or a multimedia presentation.
The heart of this activity is deep reflection and meaningful conversation. It encourages students to connect with Cousteau’s insights, considering how understanding the water cycle can influence their choices and impact the environment.
This approach fosters critical thinking and open discussion, helping students understand how powerful ideas about the environment can shape their daily routines and actions. It promotes a commitment to environmental stewardship and self-awareness, aligning with Cousteau’s message on the profound relationship between water and life.
Each week, we will share an inspirational quote to help you embrace the power of positive thinking. This week’s quote is from Jacques-Yves Cousteau:
“We forget that the water cycle and the life cycle are one.”
We encourage you to write down this quote, print it out, or create a drawing inspired by his words.
After you’ve completed this, take some time to reflect on and discuss the meaning of the quote. Think about what it teaches us about the vital connection between water and life, and how we can use this wisdom to protect our environment and nurture a sustainable future.
Read and Discuss - Weekly Comprehension
In this activity, students will work in pairs to explore the vital roles rivers play, such as water supply and biodiversity. They’ll be encouraged to read the material carefully, take detailed notes, and even draw diagrams to enhance their comprehension.
This approach fosters independence as students take responsibility for their learning, while also ensuring a deeper understanding of the content. The notes and diagrams will later support them in generating ideas for protecting local rivers.
Take a look at the comprehension task card opposite.
During this activity, you’ll work with a friend or partner to read all the information carefully about the important roles rivers play, like providing fresh water, supporting wildlife, and generating power.
Take notes as you go, and feel free to draw diagrams if it helps you understand the concepts better. These notes and drawings will be really useful when you start thinking about how you can help save our local rivers in the next task.
How To Care for Rivers - 5 Ways
This activity invites students to reflect on what they’ve learned about rivers by identifying five actionable ways to protect these vital waterways. After studying the importance of rivers, students will use a task card to list changes we can make in our daily lives to safeguard them. This exercise promotes critical thinking, environmental stewardship, and the application of new knowledge. Sharing their ideas with the class encourages collaboration and reinforces the importance of taking collective action for sustainability.
Once you’ve learned all about rivers, you’ll use this task card to think about how we can protect them. You’ll write down five ways we can change our habits to help keep our rivers clean and healthy.
This is your chance to show what you’ve learned and to come up with ideas that could make a real difference. After you’ve filled in the boxes, you’ll share your ideas with the class to inspire others!
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How Much Water Do You Use? - 7-Day Water Tracker
This activity encourages students to independently track their daily water usage over seven days using a provided template. They will estimate and record the litres used for various activities, fostering awareness of environmental impact.
By the end of the week, students will analyse their data to understand their consumption patterns, leading to discussions on sustainability. This hands-on approach integrates independent research with practical data analysis, promoting both mathematical skills and environmental responsibility.
This week, you’re going to use a special template to track how much water you use every day for activities like showering, brushing your teeth, and washing your hands.
Keep the template with you all week and write down how many litres of water you use for each activity. By the end of the week, you’ll see how much water you’ve used in total. It’s a great way to use maths to understand and help the environment!
What is the Water Cycle? - Fill in the Blanks
This task encourages students to apply their understanding of the water cycle by filling in blanks on a task card using the correct vocabulary. After watching a video at the beginning of the lesson, students will use their comprehension of how water changes forms—such as evaporation, condensation, and precipitation—to complete the exercise.
This activity reinforces key vocabulary and ensures that students have a solid grasp of the water cycle, promoting both language development and scientific understanding.
Using your knowledge of how water changes its form and what you’ve learned from the video at the beginning of this lesson, fill in the blanks on the water cycle task card with the correct vocabulary.
For example, where the card mentions “Precipitation,” think about how water falls from the sky and what happens next in the cycle. Use your understanding to complete the task accurately!
Your Water Cycle Diorama
In this activity, students will watch a video on the water cycle, then create a pop-up style teaching tool that visually represents each stage. This project combines service learning with creative expression, as students will not only deepen their understanding of the water cycle but also create a resource to donate to schools in need. By engaging in this hands-on activity, students learn the value of giving back while reinforcing their scientific knowledge.
Now it’s time to get creative! You’re going to make your very own Water Cycle Diorama using what you’ve learned about the water cycle and rivers. This model will help you explain the water cycle to others. When you’re gathering materials, try to use recycled items like old boxes, plastic bottles, or paper scraps.
Once you’re finished, you’ll use your diorama to teach other children about this amazing natural process. Have fun, and remember to be resourceful!
Create a Watercycle Teaching Resource
In this activity, students will watch a video on the water cycle, then create a pop-up style teaching tool that visually represents each stage. This project combines service learning with creative expression, as students will not only deepen their understanding of the water cycle but also create a resource to donate to schools in need. By engaging in this hands-on activity, students learn the value of giving back while reinforcing their scientific knowledge.
Before we start our creative project, you’re going to watch a video that explains the water cycle in a fun and easy way. Pay close attention because it will show you all the different stages of the water cycle that we’ll be using in our activity.
After the video, you’ll create an amazing pop-up style teaching tool with pictures that represent each stage. This tool will help other children understand the water cycle, so make it colourful and fun!
Quiz and Your Certificate - The Water Cycle
In this activity, students will deepen their understanding of the water cycle by taking a quiz after rewatching the video lesson. The quiz features ten questions focused on the stages and importance of the water cycle.
Students who score 80% or higher will receive a certificate via email, with a total of eight certificates available to collect. This approach reinforces learning, assesses comprehension, and motivates students to stay engaged with the material.
This week, you’ll be invited to take a quiz focused on the water cycle. After rewatching the video, your task is to correctly answer ten questions about the stages of the water cycle and its importance to our planet. Achieving a score of 80% or more will earn you a certificate, which will be sent directly to your email. There are 8 certificates in total for you to collect. Best of luck!