Title: The Water Cycle

Grade Level: 3rd Grade

Subject: Science

Duration: 45 minutes

Objective: - Students will be able to understand and explain the water cycle. - Students will be able to identify and describe the different stages of the water cycle. - Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding of the water cycle through a hands-on activity.

Materials: - Whiteboard or chart paper - Markers - Water cycle diagram (printed or drawn) - Small containers - Water - Heat source (e.g., stove or hot plate) - Plastic wrap - Ice cubes - Ziplock bags - Paper towels

Procedure:

1. Engage (5 minutes): - Begin the lesson by asking students if they know what happens to water when it rains or when they take a shower. - Write down their responses on the whiteboard or chart paper. - Explain that today, they will be learning about the water cycle, which is the continuous movement of water on Earth.

2. Explore (10 minutes): - Show the students a water cycle diagram and explain the different stages: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. - Discuss each stage briefly, using simple language and examples that students can relate to (e.g., water turning into vapor when heated, clouds forming from water vapor, rain falling from clouds, water collecting in rivers and lakes). - Encourage students to ask questions and clarify any confusion.

3. Explain (10 minutes): - Provide a more detailed explanation of each stage of the water cycle, using the diagram as a visual aid. - Use simple language and examples to help students understand the concepts. - Emphasize that the water cycle is a continuous process and that water can change from one stage to another.

4. Elaborate (15 minutes): - Divide the students into small groups. - Give each group a small container filled with water. - Instruct the students to cover the container with plastic wrap and place it in a sunny spot. - Ask the students to observe and record what happens to the water over the next few days. - After a few days, gather the groups together and discuss their observations. - Guide the students to understand that the water evaporated, condensed on the plastic wrap, and then dripped back into the container, simulating the water cycle.

5. Evaluate (5 minutes): - Wrap up the lesson by reviewing the stages of the water cycle with the students. - Ask individual students to explain one stage of the water cycle. - Provide positive feedback and address any misconceptions.

Extensions: - Have students create a poster or drawing illustrating the water cycle. - Watch a short video or read a book about the water cycle to reinforce the concepts learned. - Conduct a hands-on experiment to demonstrate condensation, such as placing an ice cube in a ziplock bag and observing water droplets forming on the bag.

Note: Adjust the duration of each section based on the pace and needs of your students.