The Water Cycle

When people think of the water cycle, they think of water flowing from a stream or river into the ocean, evaporating into the atmosphere, forming a cloud, and then returning to the Earth in some form of precipitation. But, is it always this simple? Heat energy can directly influence the rate of motion of the water molecules, and can make it change its state (solid to liquid, liquid to gas). For example, glaciers can melt into streams abd then water can easily evaporate into the atmosphere.
The 4th graders are pretending to be drops of water and are moving through the water cycle in a game called, "The Incredible Journey". Through role-playing, they begin to understand that the water cycle, or "Hydrologic Cycle" is much more complex then they first thought. There are nine different stations the students can visit while on this journey, and they can exist in the different ststes too, as they travel. We also used a few models to show the changes of state and what happens in each phase change. The water cycle picture here shows condensation and precipitation. Look for the 4th graders' stories of their "Incredible Journeys".