Fifth Grade Water Cycle

Our fifth grade water cycle material meets Standards 5.P.2 and 5.P.2.1.

5.P.2--Understand the interactions of matter and energy and the changes that occur.

5.P.2.1--Explain how the sun's energy impacts the processes of the water cycle (including evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation and runoff).

Classroom lessons are specifically tailored to your needs but can include a discussion of the water cycle, posters, music videos, songs, hands-on activities, an evaporation experiment, and the water cycle theater. 

Some options include:

USGS Water Cycle:  Using a great visual poster from the USGS, students can learn about all the science words we use to describe the water cycle.   I typically bring this option in both English and Spanish, but please let me know if you have non-native English speakers that may prefer it in an additional language!

Water Cycle Theater:  Students read through a three act script that details the exciting journey of water through the water cycle.

The Incredible Journey:  Students "become" a drop of water and "travel" through the water cycle, visiting all the places a water drop might go.  This game uses dice cubes that guide the students from station to station.  They are "weighted" so students can make the connection as to why a water droplet might get stuck in the ocean longer than a plant.   This games includes two options for tracking their journey--a bead chain to turn into a bracelet and a written list to use as an extension for a written or journaling assignment. 

Evaporation Experiment:  Learn about evaporation through a hands-on and wet experiment!

Transpiration Experiment:  Using plants and food coloring, learn how plants take up water over time.

Water Cycle Dance Videos:  Who doesn't love a good dance party to remember the steps of the water cycle!

Mobius Strip:  Math and Science put together in an amazing hands-on project to see how the water cycle has no beginning or end!

Educational Poster Contest:  Fifth grade students are able to participate in our poster contest on a various theme each year, complete with prizes!   This is a great add-on for classwork or homework!