6.3.1: Develop a model to describe how the cycling of water through Earth's…
Develop a model to describe how the cycling of water through Earth's systems is driven by energy from the Sun, gravitational forces, and density.
The Utah Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards outcome 6.3.1 (Earth and Space Sciences) for Grade 6 says: “Develop a model to describe how the cycling of water through Earth's systems is driven by energy from the Sun, gravitational forces, and density.” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: Utah Science with Engineering Education (SEEd) Standards.
The Water Cycle, Start to Finish Grades 3–6 · partly supports this outcome
A water-drop journey game around eight stations of the room, a 100-square model of where all of Earth's water really is, from USGS data, and a sealed bag of water on a sunny window that shows the Sun driving the whole cycle. Two of the three lessons need nothing but printed sheets.
- Where has the water in your glass been? 45–60 min
Every student becomes a water drop and travels between eight stations around the room (ocean, cloud, glacier, river, lake, groundwater, plant and animal), spinning a printed spinner to find out what happens next and logging each step. The class then compares journeys and finds that the water cycle is a tangle of paths, not one neat circle.
- Can you make a mini water cycle? 45 min, plus 5-minute look-backs later that day and the next morning
Teams seal a little coloured water in two zip-top bags, tape one to a sunny window and one in the shade, and watch water evaporate, condense into drops and run back down. Comparing the two bags gives the evidence that the Sun drives the water cycle and gravity brings the water back.
Printable practice for 6.3.1
These pages practise a closely related idea; the match to 6.3.1 is partial.
- The Water Cycle, Start to Finish workbook included with the unit
2 English-support pages, 2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
Need just this outcome? Build a custom pack from these pages, with its answer key, in about a minute. Custom packs come with All-access and school licences.
Compared with NGSS: MS-ESS2-4 (partial).
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