The Water Cycle and Climate Change (Water Cycle, Deforestation, and Climate Change #1)

In this lesson, students learn about the water cycle and how climate change impacts its patterns.

Step 1 - Inquire: Students contemplate their relationship with water and observe a demonstration to determine if shifting climates may affect the water cycle.

Step 2 - Investigate: Students explore an interactive diagram about the water cycle.

Step 3 - Inspire: Students watch a video and complete a series of questions in their student journals.

Positives

• Students share diverse perspectives and ideas using the journal prompts which encourage action.

• Students build on their unit journal with each additional lesson in the unit.

• Students participate in multiple interactive and hands-on learning activities to engage in kinesthetic, auditory, and visual learning.

Additional Prerequisites

• This is lesson 1 of 4 in our 6th-8th grade Water Cycle, Deforestation, and Climate Change unit.

• Prior set-up is necessary for the Inquire section.

• Materials required for the demonstration include the following:

• 4 heat lamps (on a hot sunny day you can use the sun along with a way to amplify the sun's rays)

• 3 bowls

• 3 mugs or cups

• plastic wrap

• A recommended heat lamp can be purchased here.

• Previous student knowledge of the water cycle and climate change will be beneficial in this unit. This interactive game can help students learn about the water cycle.
  

Differentiation

• Students may use the Emotions Board for vocabulary support as they watch the video in the Inquire section.

• The demonstration may be completed in lab groups with each group experimenting with a different system (control, drought, global warming).

• Students may be placed in mixed-ability lab groups to aid in understanding.

• Interactive diagrams can be differentiated based on ability.

• Journal prompts can be used for whole group discussions.

This lesson introduces students to water cycle, water scarcity, and issues related to water conservation and climate change, including the global water crisis. Water scarcity and pollution are also discussed, and students are required to test hypotheses to determine if there is a relationship between climate change and the water cycle. All the data sources are properly cited, and this lesson has passed our science credibility process.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.

Primary Standard

• Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
  • ESS2: Earth's Systems
    • MS-ESS2-4 Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.

Supporting Standards

• Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
  • Writing (K-12)
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.7.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
    • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.