Exploring the Water Cycle Lesson

Created by the GPM

Education and Outreach
Team

NASA Goddard Space Flight

Center
 Engage

Think-Pair-Share:
What is
“Precipitation”?
 Engage

The Water Cycle

http://pmm.nasa.gov/video-gallery/what-is-global-precipitation-
measurement
 Engage

Think-Pair-Share
“Based upon what we just viewed,
why is it important to study and
understand the water cycle?”
 Explore

Animation – As you watch, think about what is

happening in each stage of the water cycle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iohKd5FWZOE
 Explain: Energy from Sun
Stages that require solar radiation. (Heat)

Condensation

Precipitation Solar
Transpiration Radiation
Evaporation
Runoff

Infiltration

Groundwater
Flow
 Explain: Condensation
Stages that require water to give of heat.
(Cool down)
Condensation

Precipitation Solar
Transpiration Radiation
Evaporation
Runoff

Infiltration

Groundwater
Flow
 Explain: Gravity
Which parts of the water cycle are driven
by the force of gravity?
Condensation

Precipitation Solar
Transpiration Radiation
Evaporation
Runoff

Infiltration

Groundwater
Flow
 Explain- Teacher Demonstrations

Watch each of the following

demonstrations so you can
answer the questions that
go with them on your
capture sheet.
 Explain: Video

Water, Water Everywhere

http://pmm.nasa.gov/education/videos/water-water-everywhere
Evaluate
 Evaluation

Mini-Project Rubric
Water Cycle Mini-Project
4 3 2 1
Concept The student The student The student The student
Understanding demonstrated a full demonstrated a good demonstrated some demonstrated little
understanding of how a understanding of how a understanding of how a understanding of how a
water molecule can water molecule can water molecule can water molecule can
move through the move through the move through the move through the
water cycle. Student water cycle. Student water cycle. Student water cycle. Student did
included the role of the included the role of the included the role of the not include the role of
Sun and gravity. Sun and gravity. Sun and/or gravity. the Sun or gravity.
Proper Use of The student properly The student properly The student properly The student properly
Terminology used all the key terms used most of the key used some key terms used two or fewer key
associated with the terms associated with associated with the terms associated with
water cycle. the water cycle. water cycle. the water cycle.
Writing Skills The student fully The student The student somewhat The student poorly
communicated the communicated well the communicated the communicated the
concepts in the water concepts in the water concepts in the water concepts in the water
cycle with few grammar cycle with few grammar cycle with many cycle with many
and/or spelling errors. and/or spelling errors. grammar and/or grammar and/or
spelling errors. spelling errors.
Neatness and All of the following are Three of the following Two of the following are One of the following is
Legibility true: are true: true: true:
The project is neat. The project is neat. The project is neat. The project is neat.
All writing is legible. All writing is legible. All writing is legible. All writing is legible.
The sequence is easily The sequence is easily The sequence is easily The sequence is easily
followed. followed. followed. followed.
The project is colorful. The project is colorful. The project is colorful. The project is colorful.