Download This unit will help students learn about water cycles. By the end of

WHERE IS THE WATER?
WATER CYCLE AND WEATHER
GROUP 4B
(Russell Aumiller, Brenda Ritterling, Connie Livengood)
Introduction: WATER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LIQUID THAT MAKES
UP ALL LIVING THINGS AND IT IS USED IN EVERY DAY LIFE. THE
CONTINUOUS USE AND RECYCLING OF WATER, IS A FUNDAMENTAL
CYCLE OF NATURE. WATER: “WHAT WE SEE IS WHAT WE HAVE”.
ENDURING UNDERSTANDING:
1. WATER MOVES IN THE EARTH’S ATMOSHPERE AND ON EARTH’S
SURFACE.
2. HOW WEATHER EFFECTS THE WATER CYCLE.
3. CLOUD FORMATION.
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS:
1. WHAT CYCLES THE WATER CYCLE?
2. WHAT CAUSES VARIATIONS IN WEATHER?
Overview
This unit will help students learn about water cycles. By the end of this unit, students should
demonstrate a clear understanding of the following topics:
 The student will be able to draw and explain the water cycle in the atmosphere and how it
recycles water
 The student will be able to understand surface water; oceans, lakes, streams, and glaciers
 The student will be able to understand ground water; aquifers
 How the water cycle interrelates to weather
 How to compare and contrast condensation and evaporation in the water cycle
 The student will be able to understand how clouds develop and the purpose of clouds in the water
cycle.
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
The student will be able to identify ways that they use water everyday and how they can conserve
water.
Standards
STANDARD 4: BENCHMARK 1,.INDICATOR 4: a,b,c,d,.
GRADES 8-12
STANDARD 4, BENCHMARK 1, INDICATOR 3: a, c, f,
EARTH SPACE SCIENCE: – The student understands the processes of water
recycling through surface water (oceans, lakes, streams, glaciers) ground
water (aquifers), and the atmosphere. (hydrological cycle)
BENCHMARK 1: THE STUDENT WILL DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOURCES OF ENERGY
THAT POWER THE SUBSYSTEMS ANJD CYCLES OF THE DYNAMIC EARTH: THE GEOSPHERE,
HYDROSPHERE, ATMOSPHERE, AND BIOSPHERE.
INDICATOR 4
4.
understands the processes of water cycling through surface water (oceans,
lakes, streams, glaciers), ground water (aquifers), and the atmosphere.
(hydrological cycle)
a. Processes of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, transpiration, runoff, and filtration
move water through the water cycle.
b. Weather in the troposphere redistributes water on the surface of the earth through the water
cycle.
c. Ground water is stored in aquifers and moved through underground streams.
d. Water in the atmosphere is in the form of water vapor and clouds.
BENCHMARK 1:
INDICATOR 3
3. The ultimate source of atmospheric and oceanic energy comes from the sun. Energy flow drives
global climate and weather. Climate and weather are influenced by geographic features, cloud cover,
and the earth’s rotation.
a. Energy from the sun heats the oceans and the atmosphere and drives oceanic and atmospheric
circulation.
c. The composition and structure of earth’s atmosphere is a factor in the earth’s suitability to
support life.
f. Weather in the troposphere redistributes water on the surface of the earth through the water
cycle.
Background Knowledge Needed
The water cycle is driven by the sun and that the water cycle is the most
valuable source on earth that every living organism needs to survive. It
is used in everyone’s everyday life and that nature provides us with the
continuous recycling of water.
Water is a non-renewable source, but it
is a natural process.
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Sequence
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pre Test
Demonstration: Mini-Water Cycle (E.A.R.T.H)
White Board Discussion: “ Organize Your Thoughts”
Video Clip: Cycle Series The Water Cycle 11.min
(http://www.unitedstreaming.com
5.
Lab 1: Evaporation/Condensation Lab: From: Water On Earth
pg. 28 Use
cups of juice with ice and let kids sit them in
front of them and observe.
6.
Lab Activity 2: Factors of Evaporation
7.
Lab Activity 3: Mini Lab: Cloud Formation/precipitation
8.
Graphic Organizer: Water Cycle Concept Map
9.
Atmosphere and Troposhere
10.
Lab Activity 4: Cloud in a Bottle
11.
Quiz over Water Cycle and Clouds
12.
White Boarding: Where is the Water Now?
13.
Video Clip: Weather Smart: The Water Cycle and Clouds
(http://www.unitedstreaming.com) Quiz included on
film
14.
Cloudscape and Identificationn Activity
15.
Lab Activity 5: % of Cloud Cover
16.
Cloud Quiz: Online:
file:///Volumes/WORKSHOP/cloud%20types%20&%20formation
http://vathena.arc.nasa.gov/curric/weather/pricloud/index.html.
http://www.fi.edu/weather/events/fog.html.
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/dvlp/cnvct.rxml.
17.
White Boarding: Thpes of Precipitation and Where is the
Water Now?
18.
Lab Activiity 6: Mini Lab Model of How Water Filters and
Stores.
19.
Lab Activity 7: Rivers – Follow the Water
20.
Lab Activity 8: Streams, Rivers, and Oceans
21.
Whiteboarding: What Affects Runoff and Where does the Water
Go?
22.
Waste Water Questions
23.
Lab Activity 9: Clean Up Your Act
24.
Post Test
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Instructional Notes – whiteboarding may require additional class time.
1. Pre Test
15 min
Purpose: Give the teacher a chance to see what prior knowledge students are coming into the
class with. It will also give you an indication of the learning that takes place through the unit.
2. Demonstration: mini water cycle (E.A.R.T.H.)
Purpose: show an example of the water cycle
30 min(ongoing)
3. Whiteboard: Knowledge of water cycle “organize your thoughts”
Purpose: to show what the students already know about the water cycle
10 min
4. Video Clip : Cycle Series- the Water Cycle
11 min
(http://www.unitedstreaming.com
Purpose: Link to website or there is a video clip located in the video folder. Video is designed to
help students relate to all parts of the water cycle and how it recycles
5. Lab Activity 1 Evaporation/Condensation
Purpose: show students the process of evaporation and condensation
20 min
6. Lab Activity 2:
Factors of Evaporation
15 min
Purpose: How does heat affect evaporation? The students will discover different factors that cause
evaporation.
7. Lab Activity 3: Mini lab Cloud Formation/Precipitation
Purpose: to learn what affects the formation of clouds and precipitation
40 min
8. Graphic Organizer: Water Cycle Concept Map
10 min
Purpose: To show that the students have a conceptual understanding of the water cycle. (Refer to
video clip from #4 for answer Key)
9. Atmosphere and Troposphere
20 min
Purpose: Introduce the students to the five layers of the atmosphere and how it relates to the
water cycle
10. Lab Activity 4: Cloud in a Bottle
10 min
Purpose: To demonstrate how pressure and particles in the air contribute to the formation of
clouds.
11. Quiz: over water cycle and clouds
5 min
Purpose: To see what knowledge the students have gained about the water cycle.
12. White Boarding: Where is the water now?
10 min
Purpose: Give the students the opportunity to think about the steps of the water cycle and discuss
where the water is located now.
13. Video Clip: Weather Smart- The Water Cycle and Clouds
15 min
(Quiz included)
(http://www.unitedstreaming.com
Purpose: To display the unique properties of water and the role it plays in forming clouds,
generating weather, and maintaining life.
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14. Cloudscape and Identification Activity
(2)
30 min
Purpose: to help students identify various characteristics of clouds. To enable students to observe
clouds and describe them with common vocabulary, and compare their descriptions with official
cloud names.
15. Lab Activity 5: % of Cloud Cover
30 min
Purpose: To help students predict the percentage of cloud cover on any given day.
16. Cloud Quiz
(Online)
Purpose: To check for student understanding of cloud terminology via an online quiz.
17. Whiteboarding Types of Precipitation and Where is the Water Now? 10 min
Purpose: To help students gain a better understanding of the different types of precipitation and
where it forms within the water cycle.
18. Lab Activity 6: Mini Lab Model of How Water Filters and Stores
20 min
Purpose: To show how water filtrates and eventually stores when passing through a soil
profile.
19. Lab Activity 7: Rivers-- Follow the Water
40 min
Purpose The students will discover the amount of land within the U.S. that is covered by the
Mississippi Drainage Basin and identify the major rivers on both sides of the continental divide.
20. Lab Activity 8: Streams, Rivers, and Oceans
60 min
Purpose: To follow the water pattern of new stream formations to rivers and eventually the oceans.
This will also show the amount of rainfall that affects water runoff. Students will also relate how
slope, vegetation, precipitation will affect the rate of runoff.
21. Whiteboarding: What Affects Runoff and Where does the Water Go? 10 min
Purpose: To illustrate student understanding of knowledge about runoff and where the water goes.
22. Waste Water Questions
Purpose Raise awareness of the potential damages of wastewater
10 min
23. Lab Activity 9: Clean Up Your Act
(2 days)
45 min
Purpose To see the differences between filtration and evaporation and the cost of each.
24. POSTTEST
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