Mother

TEACHER’S NOTES

H2O FOR YOU ACTIVITY SHEET 1

1.1

The water cycle
OBJECTIVES
To foster an awareness of where water is found on the planet and that the amount remains constant. To introduce the water cycle process.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES
To share the information describing the water cycle through a group reading exercise. To discuss the text in a whole class situation. Children to answer questions and complete the water cycle diagram from Activity Sheet 1.

PRACTICAL ACTIVITIES
An experiment to demonstrate the water cycle process and reinforce the scientific concepts of evaporation, water vapour and condensation: You will need: a clear plastic bowl, some cling film, an elastic band large enough to go round the bowl, a small weight. Put some water in a bowl to the depth of about 2cm. Stretch a sheet of cling film over the container, secure with an elastic band and place the weight in the centre of the plastic cover so that it dips slightly in the middle. Place the container over a radiator or in a window facing the sun. Over a period of time water will evaporate and condense back to water on the cling film.

An experiment to demonstrate how water evaporates: You will need: a saucer, a jug of water, a glass bowl and a small glass. Pour equal amounts of water into the saucer and small glass. Cover the glass with the bowl. Leave both the saucer and covered glass in a warm place.

TEACHER’S NOTES

H2O FOR YOU ACTIVITY SHEET 1

1.2

After 48 hours, measure the amount of water in the saucer and compare it with that in the covered bowl. The water in the saucer will be reduced but the water level in the glass will not fall as the water vapour cannot escape.

An experiment to demonstrate condensation: You will need: crushed ice, a clear glass, a card big enough to fit over the glass. Place the crushed ice into a dry glass. Cover the glass with the card. As the ice cools the glass and air around it, tiny drops of water will appear on the side of the...