1.)Read Down Comes the Rain. Discuss the terms precipitation, evaporation, and condensation to determine prior knowledge and help students gain an understanding of the process of the water cycle. Tell the students that they are going to do some experiments to learn more about the water cycle.
2.)Condensation
Fill a jar one-third full with water. Add the cup of ice to your jar. Add 3 drops of food coloring to the jar. Notice what happens to the jar after 15 minutes or so. Have the students answer the following questions:
What do you see on the outside of the jar?
Is the water on the outside of the jar colored?
Did the water come from the inside of the jar?
(The water vapor on the outside of the jar was cooled off and condensed to form liquid. This is an example of how water vapor is cooled off and condenses in clouds.)
3.)Evaporation
Have the students wet a sponge and wipe it once on their chalkboard. Have them notice what happens after a few minutes have passed. Have them answer the following questions:
Is the water still there?
What happened?
(The water evaporated. It changed from liquid to a gas. This is an example of how water evaporates into the sky.)
4.)Precipitation
Have the students completely saturate or fill a sponge with as much water as possible. Have them hold it above a tub of water. Have the students answer the following question:
What do you notice happens?
(The sponge will leak water. This is an example of how the clouds in the sky get so full of water that eventually the water falls and we have precipitation.)
5.)Pair the students with a partner. Have each pair create a poster of the water cycle. While the pairs are working have students review what they have learned by visiting the following web sites: ( The Water Cycle) This website gives definitions for each phase of the water cycle. It also has a diagram for students to view.
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