Unit 3 –The Water CycleLesson 1

California State Standards3.a – Students know most of Earth’s water is present as

salt water in the oceans, which cover most of Earth’s surface.

3.b – Students know when liquid water evaporates, it turns into water vapor in the air and can reappear as liquid when cooled or as a solid if cooled below the freezing point of water.

3.c – Students know water vapor in the air moves from one place to another and can form fog or clouds, which are tiny droplets of water or ice, and can fall to Earth as rain, hail, sleet or snow.

McWay Falls, CA

Where did the water in the waterfall come from?

Where does water in rivers come from and where does it go?

How is the water in the waterfall different from ocean water?

Input water cycle- the constant movement of

water from Earth’s surface to the atmosphere and back to Earth’s surface.

water vapor – the gas form of water.

Input evaporation – the process by which a liquid

changes into a gas.condensation – the process by which a gas

changes into a liquid.

The Water Planet Pg. 226-227

Input - The Water PlanetWater covers almost three-fourths of Earth’s

surface and 97% of it is found in the oceans.Ocean water is salty.

Saltwater can also be found in some lakes.

Input - The Water PlanetThe rest of the Earth’s water is fresh water

(less than 3%).

Most of the fresh water on Earth is frozen in ice caps and glaciers.

Input - The Water PlanetMost of the remaining fresh water can be

found underground.Underground water is the only source of fresh

water for many people around the world.

The Water Cycle Pg. 228-229

Input - The Water CycleWater moves constantly throughout the

environment.

The water cycle is also known as the hydrologic cycle.

Earth’s surface

Air

Input - The Water CycleEnergy from the sun drives the water

cycle. The sun’s energy warms water on the Earth’s

surface. This causes some of the water to turn from a liquid

to a gas. The water vapor moves into the air.

When water vapor cools, it becomes a liquid again. Once it becomes heavy enough, it falls back to

Earth.

Input - The Water CycleWater may fall back into the ocean, lakes,

rivers, or onto the ground.When it falls on land, it can be soaked into the

ground, or run off the surface into rivers and lakes.

Some water can quickly recycle back to the atmosphere if the sun heats it and it it turns into water vapor again.

The Water CycleMost rainwater comes from the oceans.

When water from the oceans turns into water vapor, all of the salt that had dissolved in the water stays in the ocean. When the water vapor cools, fresh water forms and

falls to Earth.

Input - The Water Cycle Song!The Water Cycle Song

The Water CyclePg. 230 Evaporation

Input - EvaporationWater evaporates because heat changes it

from a liquid to a gas, also called water vapor.

It is hard to see evaporation because water vapor is invisible.

Input - EvaporationA large amount of water evaporates from

Earth’s oceans, lakes, and rivers every day.As water evaporates, is goes up into the air

and mixes with other gases.

The Water CycleCondensation Pg. 231

Input - CondensationWhen water vapor becomes part of the air, it

moves with the air.Air can carry water vapor very long distances

and high into the atmosphere.

Changes in the air temperature affect the water vapor.As air and water vapor move up, they cool,

when they get cold enough, condensation occurs.

Input - CondensationAir has dust particles in it. When water vapor

condenses, it changes into a liquid on the dust particles. The water vapor and dust form clouds and fog.

Input CondensationFog is a cloud that forms near the ground.Clouds stay in the air because the water

droplets are tiny.As additional condensation happens, it causes

the water droplets to increase in size they then fall to Earth as rain.

Water may also fall to Earth as snow, sleet, or hail if the air is cold enough for water to freeze.

Lesson 2 Language of the Discipline

Input Watershed – The area of land in which water

runs off into a particular system of creeks and rivers.

Dam – A barrier across a river that controls the river’s flow.

Reservoir – A body of water stored for future use.

Aqueduct – A pipe or channel that is used to transport water.

Ground water – Water that is in soil and rocks below Earth’s surface.

Unit 3 - How can People Conserve Water?

Lesson 3 Pg. 250-257

Standard5.3.d – Students know that the amount of

fresh water located in rivers, lakes, underground sources, and glaciers is limited and that its availability can be extended by recycling and decreasing the use of water.

Input Pollution – Any change to a resource that

makes the resource unhealthful to use. Water quality – How safe water is for use by

humans, animals, and plants. Conservation – The preserving and protecting

of a resource. Reclamation – The recycling of used water.

Water Pollution Pg. 254-255

Input We need clean water to live but our water is

often polluted with harmful substances.Some substances come from factories and

mines that dump waste into rivers and lakes. Sewage (human waste) can get into the water

supply as well. The runoff from farms and city streets affects

the quality of surface water.

Water ConservationPg. 256-257

Input Water resources are limited, because of this

it is very important to conserve our water. Especially in California with our drought and

long periods with little rain. The population is growing. This means we

have more people who need water but less water to give.

To provide we are starting to recycle water and decrease the amount of water used.

Dirty water is treated in water treatment facilities.

Ways to ConserveWatering plants in the morning saves water

because smaller amounts of water evaporate in the cool morning.

Turn water off when brushing your teeth.Plant trees or shrubs that require little water

to survive.Use the dishwasher and washing machine

ONLY when full.Taking quick showers.

SummaryWrite your own!

You can do it!

Unanswered QuestionsHow can you tell the difference between fog

and clouds? Write your own 2 questions – you must have 3

written questions total.

Across the disciplinesYou are a writer for the OPA Daily

newspaper. Please write a one paragraph article telling us something exciting about the water cycle. Maybe a new way to conserve water was discovered, or they just discovered a new water source. Make it interesting and full of facts!

ModelingWhat is pollution?

Any change to a resource that makes the resource unhealthful to use.

What do you call the preserving and protection of a resource?Conservation

Check for understandingWhat is another name for the water cycle?

Hydrologic cycle

Check for understandingWhere is most of earth’s water?

The oceans