Videos -- All of the videos I found have fun songs about the water cycle. Some students learn information better from songs with the information in them as well as through narrative. These videos have a little bit of each in them and breaks down the water cycle into simpler terms.
BrainPop -- The Water Cycle
http://www.brainpop.com/science/earthsystem/watercycle/preview.weml
This BrainPop talks about the water cycle with Tim and Moby. They do a great job explaining the water cycle and making it relative to students. This can be used to start off a lesson or for a second day of the water cycle if your first assessment shows your students need a little more help
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
Study Jams: The Water Cycle
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/studyjams/water_cycle/
This was a fun website I stumbled upon and thought all teachers could use this in order to expand on a topic. Its from scholastic which makes classroom friendly. It tells a story about the water cycle and afterwards there are quizzes and vocabulary games as well to play after.
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
Bill Nye the Science Guy -- Water Cycle Jump
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BayExatv8lE
Who doesn't love Bill Nye?! This is a small rap about the water cycle and the different stages of the water cycle. Students would love this because they can learn through music and the song is pretty catchy. It is a little outdated but I think the song makes up for it. A good way to introduce a lesson and get the kids excited or to review right before a test.
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
WebQuests -- I LOVEEEE webquests and I think it is important to use these in your classroom. I know I used them last time but they are so helpful and they have them for all grade levels. Some of them are boring so you really need to dig through them but they make learning fun and interactive. Webquests are also great because they are cross-curricular.
A Journey through the Water Cycle -- The Life of a Water Drop
http://questgarden.com/03/93/1/051006133936/task.htm
The students become water experts and each have a specific part of the water cycle to focus on. They will have to keep a journal of their experience through the water cycle and then present their findings and their journey to the class through presentations and posters.
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
A Day in the Life of a Water Droplet -- A Look at the Water Cycle
http://questgarden.com/47/96/1/070314175615/task.htm
Students will take on the role of a water droplet and will spend 5 days in the water cycle. They will record their experiences through the water cycle and work with their partner to write a story about their experiences.
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
The Water Cycle
http://questgarden.com/62/58/7/080319140228/index.htm
For students who may be struggling with vocabulary and the terms used in the water cycle, this webquest would be very beneficial. Once they have understood all the terms of the water cycle they will make their own simulations and present them to the class. A great hands on experience for students
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
The Water Cycle
http://questgarden.com/28/36/0/060627134048/index.htm
Students will develop their own aquifer and help a community that is facing contaminated water. Students have to research all the information about an aquifer in order to build one that is sufficient enough for their town. They will present their aquifer to the class and the "community" will vote on which will help their town.
Ages: Grades 3 -5
Websites-- Websites are always a great resource for students to interpret information in a more appealing way for them to grasp the information. These websites are great for students because the writing and visualizes are clear and bright and have fun animations throughout.
The Water Cycle
http://www.kidzone.ws/water/
This website gives the basic information of the water cycle but it lays it out in a kid friendly manner. There are also coloring sheets for students as well as fun pictures to help understand the different parts of the water cycle.
Ages: Grades 2 - 5
The Water Cycle
http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/index.htm
This website breaks down the water cycle into different links so students have an easier time understanding. The writing is nice and big with pictures and good explanations. This would be great for students if they had to fill in a graphic organizers or to review for a test or quiz.
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
The Water Cycle for Kids: A Placemat
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/watercycleplacemat.html
This is a great visualize for students about the water cycle. It has a small explanation but the picture is easy to understand and it is kid friendly. There are also links for words that may be too big to understand and have examples of those words with corresponding websites for students to learn more information.
Ages: Grades 2 - 5
Interactive Website Games-- Who doesn't love games?! It is crazy that many kids these days don't know what board games are and instead enjoy computerized games. All of these games are fun and interactive and can be good for kids if they finish early. They explain the concepts and parts of the water cycle in a variety of ways and encourage learning at the same time.
Thirstin' Water Cycle
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/kids/flash/flash_watercycle.html
This website is AWESOME! You can click on different parts of the water cycle and explains what is going on while it happens. There is a small little rain drop who helps explain everything and walk the students through it. Its super cool and fun and I would recommend this site for teachers!!!
Ages: Grades 2 - 5
Matching Fun Facts Games
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/flash/flash_matching.html
Once students have learned about the water cycle and water consumption, this website will help students to understand the amounts of water that are consumed doing different things at home. This site is great for cross-curricular instruction because it incorporates the math aspect of the water cycle.
Ages: Grades 3 -5
Build Your Own Aquifer
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/flash/flash_aquifer.html
This website discusses an aquifer and all the important parts of it and how it affects humans as well. Once it gives the introduction it walks you through the steps of how to build your own using classroom or household materials. This would be great for a teacher to build one in class and have an interactive aspect to the water cycle lesson.
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
Water Cycle Fun
http://www.athena.bham.org.uk/old/WCjumbled.htm
This website is an interactive whiteboard site. Students can move the different parts oft he water cycle to correct spots as well as use the different components individually to discuss each aspect. A great way to incorporate technology in the classroom.
Ages: Grades 3 - 5
The Water Cycle Lesson Plans
http://www.cookie.com/kids/games/water-cycle.html
This is an AWESOME game website for the water cycle. Students will be able to play these game and enjoy reviewing facts about the water cycle. Teachers can use this in extra time in their classroom as well as an incentive for those who finish early or are behaving properly.
Ages: Grades 3 -5
Wow! I love your text set! It id awesome and full of great information. I will have to use these links when I teach about the water cycle next year! I am Aldo a Webquest fan. They are cool! Really helpful as well.
ReplyDeleteThis is great! I am definitely going to use these with my students next year. It can be very challenging for elementary school students to fully understand the concept of water cycle, but with these resources, I think, they will be well on their way.
ReplyDeleteBlaise, great list... I could have definitely used this when I taught the water cycle unit if fourth grade or even when I introduced the concepts in second. I love that you provide a variety of sources and even some interactive games for all ages. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI also like to use webquests! I think they are great to use with students because they help them explore a subject and minimize the opportunity to veer off track.
ReplyDelete