Water Cycle - Water (1)
Pre Lab

   
OBJECTIVES:
  • Investigating the water cycle.
  • Exploring water's three states of matter.
VOCABULARY:
  • evaporation
  • gas
  • liquid
  • precipitation
  • solid
  • water cycle
MATERIALS:

Students create a picture of the water cycle.

BACKGROUND:

The hydrologic or water cycle is a major driving force on Earth.  Water is important to our everyday lives.  First graders see water all around them, but many do not realize its importance.  Ask students if we can survive without food or water longer.  They are usually amazed that humans can  survive without food much longer than water.  Humans can only last about 3 days without water.  After that time the kidneys will no longer function, and we will not be able to get rid of the wastes that accumulate in our bodies.  Our bodies require fresh, clean water to survive. Polluted or salty water will not help our bodies.  

Water circulates in the atmosphere through the water cycle. The water on Earth evaporates (or becomes gas) into a cloud.  When conditions are right, the cloud releases water or precipitation.

PROCEDURE:  

  1. Discuss the different components of the water cycle by having the students sing-a-long to Drippy the Hippie. 

     

    Drippy the Hippie

    I have a very busy life
    And I’m always on the go
    I’m part of the water cycle
    It’s really cool to know

    The gases hydrogen and oxygen
    Are what I am made of
    I am clean and I’m fresh
    And peace is what I love

    I am a groovy raindrop
    My name is Hippie Drippy
    Colorless and tasteless
    I’m not your average Hippie

    I live up in the sky
    Til the clouds turn dark gray
    Preparing for my trip
    I wait for rain each day

    I put on my favorite shirt
    It’s colorful and tie-dye
    I wave to the clouds
    To say to them good bye

    I am a groovy raindrop
    My name is Hippie Drippy
    Colorless and tasteless
    I’m not your average Hippie

     I fall from the clouds
    And land in a lake
    With many other drops
    I really precipitate

    I vacation here for a while
    Relax and get some sun
    There are many drops
    Who come to the lake for fun

    I am a groovy raindrop
    My name is Hippie Drippy
    Colorless and tasteless
    I’m not your average Hippie

    I swim in the lake
    And party with the fish
    I wait to evaporate
    It’s the clouds I really miss

    As a gas I will rise
    And travel really high
    Back to the clouds
    Up into the sky

    Condensation will happen
    I’ll go back to the state
    Of being a raindrop
    Waiting to precipitate

    I am a groovy raindrop
    My name is Hippie Drippy
    Colorless and tasteless
    I’m not your average Hippie

     

  2. Make copies of the worksheet for students. Instruct students to color worksheet and cut out the pieces. You can enlarge the worksheet and cut out the necessary components if you want to make a display for yourself.
      
  3. Instruct  students to create a  water cycle with the pieces that they cut out. Go over the components of the water cycle with the students slowly. Evaporation from the water forms clouds and then precipitates. The cycle is repeated over and over again. Repeat the words over and over so they become familiar with the terms.

[Dictionary] 
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