[beachmom]

Any ideas for third grade? Looking for lessons that are hands on and fun, as well as, books or internet sites. I know the Magic School Bus has a book. Going to check it out today. Thanks in advance.

[cindyteacher]

I once made a water cycle bead bracelet with the kids.
I used a blue lace for the river, then yellow bead (for the sun), clear bead for the evaporation, a white bead for the clouds, and then a blue bead for the rain/precipitation.

[cinaminsweet]

This is not a lesson, but it's a cute little song that can help kids remember the steps in the cycle. Someone here posted the Water Cycle Song, I'm sorry I can't remember who it was. But here is the song:

Water travels in a cycle, yes it does
Water travels in a cycle, yes it does.
It goes up as evaporation, forms clouds as condensation,
Then comes down as precipitation, yes it does!

You can do hand and finger movements to go along with each line of the song. My kids loved doing this and when we took our test on it, I could hear a few of them humming it to themselves to help them remember for the test.

Check with your media specialist, (sorry i can't remember the title !) there is a fairly newly released book on the water cycle. It has beautiful water colored illustrations and a poem/chant with movements for the precipitaion, evaporation, etc. It's great.

[Grade4Teach]

I love the book Hydro's Adventures Through the Water Cycle by Randi S. Goodrich. It might be the same book the above poster mentioned.

Enchanted learning has a great water cycle play. My kids loved it.

I have also attached lesson plans for a salt water painting. Again, my kids (4th Grade) loved it.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you need some other ideas, I am sure I have others.

[pammy52]

I used this web site to illustrate the water cycle for my students.

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/fl...atercycle.html

[Racheljz82]

I did the water cycle last year with my year 2 students. We watched the DVD of The Magic School Bus. If you can find it, it is great to use. We made steam (using a kettle) and looked at precipitation by putting cold water in a glass and watching the outside of the glass. There are heaps of activities on the net, that's where I got most of my ideas from.

[kitty11710]

I have used this dance plenty of times as a motivation in loads of grade levels and the kids LOVE IT!! I will try and describe the movements in words.. I will write the words to each step of the cycle in () after the step. Tell the students to get their knees moving by lifting one heel off the ground at a time and keeping their toes touching the floor alternating feet. Then demonstrate how to move your hips like a hula dancer. While moving your hips and feet, move both hands in opposite directions like you are drawing a cirlce (puddle of water). Then move boths hands straight up over your head while wiggling your fingers (evaporate). While your fingers are still wiggling, and up in the air, move your hands side to side as if you are demonstrating the way the wind blows (Condensate, I used up in clouds for real little ones). Then move both hands down as a you wiggle your fingers (precipitate or rain). Finally end with sliding both hands off to the right over your hip (run-off). Its one of my favorite lessons I have ever done! I too followed it up with the kettle demonstration said by another poster. ENJOY!

[BookMuncher]

cindyteach... i LOVE your bracelet idea!


here's a reader's theater I like:

[beachmom]

Thank you so much!!!!!Have a great day everyone!