Energy

The water cycle

Did you know the water we drink is older than the dinosaurs?

Grade

Duration

20 mins

Type

Class discussion

Overview

We follow the path of water from lakes and oceans to the sky and back again by creating our own water cycle diagrams.

Instructions

What you'll need

“Water cycle” image
“Water cycle” worksheet (print single-sided)
Scissors and glue

Write the word “cycle” on the board and have students think of examples of words with “cycle” in them. Talk about what “cycle” means. Words could include:
- Bicycle
- Unicycle
- Tricycle
- Motorcycle
- Recycle

Show the “Water cycle” image, explaining that water cycles around the earth over and over again. Talk about each stage of the water cycle on the image.
- Sun: The water cycle is driven by the energy from the sun warming the earth.
- Evaporation: The warmth of the sun causes water from lakes, rivers and oceans to evaporate and turn from a liquid to a gas. The water vapour (gas) rises up into the air.
- Condensation: The water vapour cools as it rises and turns into water droplets, forming a cloud.
- Precipitation: Water droplets in a cloud join together and eventually become too big and heavy and fall from the clouds in the sky. Precipitation can fall as rain, snow or hail.
- Runoff: After the precipitation falls, it flows down towards the ocean and collects in rivers, lakes and streams. Some of it collects underground as well.
- And then the cycle begins again. The sun has been cycling water on Earth over and over for billions of years. The water we drink is older than the dinosaurs.
Give each student a copy of the “Water cycle” worksheet.
- Cut out the words and use them to label the water cycle diagram.
Have students share questions they have about the water cycle and keep them for reference when teaching about water.

Modify or extend this activity

Watch a fun video and lead a quick activity about the “Power of falling water”.
Alphabetize the words from the “Water cycle” image or use them as challenge words for spelling practice
Introduce advanced aspects of the water cycle including transpiration and groundwater

Curriculum Fit

Grade 2 Science

Content

Water sources including local watersheds
Water cycle

Curricular competencies

Questioning and predicting

Demonstrate curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world
Ask questions about familiar objects and events

Processing and analyzing data and information

Sort and classify data and information using drawings and pictographs

Teaching Notes

Water cycle

Earth has a limited supply of water that is cycled over and over again. The water cycle is an important process on earth because living things, including animals and humans, need water to grow and survive. Water is used for drinking, growing food, providing habitat, generating electricity and more. The sun has been driving the water cycle on Earth for billions of years. The four main stages of the water cycle are evaporation, condensation, precipitation and runoff.

Sun: The water cycle is driven by the energy from the sun warming the earth.
Evaporation: The warmth of the sun causes water from lakes, rivers and oceans to evaporate and turn from a liquid to a gas. The water vapour (gas) rises up into the air.
Condensation: The water vapour cools as it rises and turns into water droplets, forming a cloud.
Precipitation: Water droplets in a cloud eventually become too big and heavy and fall from the clouds in the sky. It can fall as rain, snow, hail, etc.
Runoff: After the precipitation falls, it flows down towards the ocean and collects in rivers, lakes and streams. Some of it collects underground as well.
And then the cycle begins again.