The Water Cycle Slide Show

Credits:

Steve Gandy

Mountain View Elementary School

Broomfield, Colorado

steve@stevegandy.com

 

 

Subject Matter:

Language Arts (English), Science, Technology

Grades:

3, 4

Software Application:

Kid Pix, AppleWorks, StarOffice

 

 

Summary:

Students use a multimedia format to show their understanding of the water cycle. A slide show is created depicting each part (process) through a drawing and words, culminating in a complete water cycle slide.

State & National Standards:

CO- Colorado Academic Standards

´ Subject : Science

´ Standard 4: Earth and Space Science: Students know and understand the processes and interactions of EarthÍs systems and the structure and dynamics of Earth and other objects in space. (Focus: Geology, Meteorology, Astronomy, Oceanography)

´ Key Idea 4.3: Students know major sources of water, its uses, importance, and cyclic patterns of movement through the environment

´ Grade/Level : Grades K-4

 Performance Indicator : identifying major sources of water (for example, oceans, glaciers, rivers, groundwater, atmosphere);

 Performance Indicator : identifying and describing the states (solid, liquid, gaseous) in which water can be found on Earth

Local Standards:

INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY SKILLS CONTINUUM

Standard #2 Productivity Applications: Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.

2D Multimedia - Uses basic creativity or authoring tools such as KidPix, HyperStudio, and/or PowerPoint to create a multimedia product

2D.1 Creates a picture story

 

2E Drawing - Uses drawing tools to create an original graphic

2E.1 Uses drawing tools such as eraser, fill, pencil, paintbrush, airbrush, etc.

 

Lesson Outcomes:

Students will draw and label the parts of the water cycle. A description of each part of the cycle will be included in the slide show.

 

Assessment:

The slide show itself can be used as a summative assessment. See rubric provided below.

 

Assessment/Rubrics:

Water Cycle Slide Show  

 

Student Prerequisites:

Students should have studied weather or water in science through the use of FOSS Air and Weather or FOSS Water kits.

 

Lesson Preparation:

Students should have completed appropriate science activities and had direct instruction regarding the water cycle.

 

Time Frame:

5 class periods. 45 Min. per class.

 

Implementation Steps:

Class 1

1. Use the paint tools to create a picture depicting evaporation. Use the text tools to write the label and a description of that part of the water cycle process.

2. Save the picture with the name evaporation.

 

Class 2

1. Repeat class 1 for the process of condensation.

 

Class 3

1. Repeat class 1 for the process of precipitation.

 

Class 4

1. Use the copy and paste tools to copy each picture made in days 1-3 and paste them into a picture showing the complete cycle. Students will need to resize the pictures to fit.

2. Draw arrows to show the direction of water molecule movement.

3. Label each of the stages in the process.

 

Class 5

1. Create a title slide with the name of the project and the student's name.

2. Combine slides created each day to formulate a slide show depicting the water cycle.

 

Lesson Resources:

FOSS Kit: Air and Weather

FOSS Kit: Water

Book: A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder by Walter Wick

 

Product(s) Description:

The slide show should show basic knowledge of the water cycle. Students should draw and describe each part (process): evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in separate slides. Students should also include a slide showing the complete cycle using arrows to show direction of water molecule movement.

 

Comments:

Students might use a creative writing prompt titled "My Life as a Drop of Water" to write a story about a drop of water's travels through the water cycle. Using a narrative format, the drop can explain each part (process) of the water cycle in both a scientific and creative way.