By: Amanda Thomas
Created this WebQuest for a graduate class.
Introduction
Hurry! The people of Hotsville are overheating. They need rain but can't figure out why it isn't raining. Gather your team to watch a video on the water cycle. Then, research the four different stages of the water cycle. Next, Draw a diagram of the water cycle. Finally, write a narrative as if you are a water droplet going through the water cycle! Share this with the people of Hotsville to help them understand when rain is coming.
Task
For this WebQuest, you will learn what the water cycle is and the four different stages it consists of. Break into 5 groups of 3 people each. Together you will watch a video on the water cycle. Then, you will have to decide who will research each stage of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. I have provided a handout to fill in about your stage of the water cycle. Work alone to fill out your section and then come back together and share your findings with the group.
Next, work together to draw a diagram of the water cycle. You can use the video that you watched in the beginning to help you. Label the drawing with the following words: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Draw arrows from one step the next. Color it in neatly when you are done!
Finally, work independently to write a narrative. You are going to pretend you are a water droplet going through the water cycle. Create a rough copy and then type it on a Google Doc and share it with me at amanda_thomas@etownschools.org. Make sure to look at the rubric before writing to make sure you understand what to include. This should be written in first person (I, my, we, me). You should include the words: evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. As you go from one stage of the cycle to the next, use your senses to describe what you see, hear and feel around you. The more detail the better! You can even give your water droplet a name to help you get started!
Process
Task One: Watch the Water Cycle Video
Once you are in your group of 3, watch this video on the water cycle to get a feel for what it is and why it is so important. When you are done watching the video answer the following questions on this Google Form.
Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5gFI3pMvoI
Google Form Questions:
Task Two: Research the different stages in the water cycle
Decide who is going to research which stage. Watch the video that goes with the stage you picked. Once you are done watching, fill out the section of your handout and then share it with your classmates so they can fill it in on their paper!
Use this Google Doc to answer your questions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jN7TWkaeNgVgw2yXR_u1WBa_oMhORioqp4lZG0Li0kQ/edit?usp=sharing
Evaporation:
Video 1: https://whyy.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/plum14.sci.life.evapstat/evaporation-station/
Video 2:
Condensation:
Precipitation:
Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofRqD7m4tQ
Video 2:
Task Three: Water Cycle Diagram
Create a diagram of the water cycle with your group. Make sure to draw the different phases. Include arrows showing how the water cycle goes from one phase to the next. Make sure to include the words: Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation. The words should be spelled correctly. Look at the rubric before you start to make sure you know what to include. When you are done, put your names on the back and put it in the turn in tray for your class.
Task Four: Water Droplet Narrative
Now that you have learned about the water cycle, you are going to put your knowledge to the test. On your own, you are going to write as if you are a water droplet going through the stages of the water cycle. Your narrative should be at least three paragraphs (one for each stage of the water cycle). You may name your water droplet to make it more personal. You need to use the words: Evaporation, Condensation and Precipitation in your writing. Make sure to describe them as well. When your water droplet is going through the stage of the water cycle, use your senses to describe what you see, hear and feel when you are in each stage and while going from one stage to another. The more detail the better. View the rubric to make sure you understand what you are being graded on. Write up a rough draft, see the teacher to review, and then type it up on a Google Doc. Share it with me at amanda_thomas@etownschools.org when you are done.
View this video for an example :
Evaluation
Group Water Cycle Diagram Rubric
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GONnM2ho73YuV9caiJNHT-RZYByfhfEZFVNVi6uyJkU/edit?usp=sharing
Water Cycle Narrative Rubric
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dFlRooFQ4HHbksKdLUIzQXMYCeAVZXTwtLQ4UBFB8Ug/edit?usp=sharing
Conclusion
Great job! The people of Hotsville now understand the water cycle. They are ready for rain when it comes! The Water Cycle is an endless cycle and our Earth relies on it to survive. Next time you are outside, look around and see if you can see signs of the different phases in the water cycle.
Credits
(2017, November 14). Retrieved July 28, 2019, from https://whyy.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/plum14.sci.life.evapstat/eva…
Centennial Windows & Doors - Head Office & Showroom. (2014, May 30). Retrieved July 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJDH0o_fYiw
Elearnin. (2012, August 31). Retrieved July 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9l0s5zVibo
Ellis, A. (2014, March 04). Retrieved July 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jofRqD7m4tQ
English, H. L. (2016, September 07). Retrieved July 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5gFI3pMvoI
Makemegenius. (2011, October 28). Retrieved July 28, 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY9HG8zUgOE