I will explain how the water evaporates from the oceans and puddles into the sky and then when the clouds form and fill up, it precipitates. The students will repeat the same demonstration that I did in the anticipatory set. They will use a sponge to release the water onto the table and then spread the water out and watch it evaporate. I will then ask the students why they think the water cycle is important and have them give a few examples of the water cycle that happens in their yard or house. I will explain that the water cycle is important to our environment because it provides animals and plants with a constant cycle of water.
Water contains many nutrients and minerals that are important to the survival of plants and animals.
The definitions for all the key terms will be placed on the board so the students can take notes and use them for their personal charts. The students will work in groups of four to make up their own version of the water cycle. They will be free to use their creativity to make up their own example of a place where the water cycle takes place. Examples are their back yard or a rain forest or anything that interests the students. Their cycles will need to be correctly labeled and contain information on the importance of each part of the water cycle.