Weather Unit Activities Integrating Internet Tools
What is the Water Cycle and how does it work? Activity 1
Objectives: *Students will learn the importance of the water cycle *Students will develop vocabulary related to the water cycle
Introduce the topic of the water cycle by having the students listen and watch the ebook Drippy the Raindrop.
Discuss the different forms the water droplet becomes at it travels throught the water cycle.
Have students view the water cycle vocabulary words on the kidzone website and hold a discussion about the water cycle. Print out a copy of The Water Cycle for the students to color. The students can select their own color choices. I am using the colors listed below in order for the children to differenciate the various different parts of the water cycle. *Color A yellow *Color B gray *Color C purple *Color D blue Students color this in paintbrush or any software available in your school district.
Have students retell the parts of the water cycle to a partner, teacher, or volunteer. Use BrainPop Talk About It to fill in the correct parts of the water cycle. Students should type in the vocabulary words on their own. Have a list of these words on a word wall in your classroom. The children can print their finished work. BrainPop Activities includes a step by step science experiment which provides young learners a hands on concrete representation of the water cycle. All experimental data can be typed into this link and printed for the student. Students can write a journal response (individually or in groups) on the BrainPop Write About It link. Be sure to have the students share their work with classmates and families.
Students can culminate their learning through this engaging song. Encourage movement and singing for some water cycle fun.
The Water Cycle Song
Activity 2: Water Cycle/Precipitation Animations Objective:
*Students will use the Internet to make an animation. *Students will share their animations with classmates and families on the classroom website. *Students will reflect on what they learned about the weather cycle.
Review the water cycle using a graphic organizer or chart with the students. List the different types of precipitation.
Tell the students that they will be creating an animation using their computers. The free website Doink gives students the ability to make animations very simply, and allows their animations to be embedded into a website. Accounts will required to be created prior to using this tool if you plan on sharing their work.
Show the students a quick demonstration on how to make a drawing, clone a picture, edit work and play their animation. You may require additional help from school aides, volunteers, to complete this project in small groups. Have each student sign in in to their account to start their project. They can draw Drippy the Raindrop in the Water Cycle or a picture showing one type of precipitation. Allow enough time for the students to become familiar with the different tools in order to gain confidence and pride in their work. Be sure to share these creations with staff, parents, and friends. The children will beaming with pride, knowing that their work is published and viewed by everyone they know.
Below is an example of one student's animation. I suggest displaying these animations on a class website or e-portfolio.