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Demo week, Grade 4 General Science

The water cycle

This is what a student sees. Teachers get the same lesson with instructions, expected answers, timings, differentiation and an answer key.

How the water cycle works

The teacher formally explains the science.

  1. The water cycle mind map

    Mind map, 0–8 min

    Tap each branch to find out more.

    100%
    Evaporation+Condensation+Precipitation+Collection+The Water Cycle

    The Water Cycle

    Water goes round and round. It never runs out; it just moves and changes.

    Choose a branch to see its meaning, an example and a question. Choose it again to open or close its smaller branches.

  2. The four parts

    Explanation, 8–16 min

    • Evaporation: the sun heats water. The water turns into a gas and goes up.
    • Condensation: high up it is cold. The gas turns back into tiny drops. The drops make a cloud.
    • Precipitation: the drops get big and heavy. They fall as rain or snow.
    • Collection: the water runs into rivers, lakes and the sea. Then it starts again.

  3. Key words

    Vocabulary, 16–21 min

    Evaporation
    Heat from the sun turns liquid water into water vapour that rises into the air.
    Example: Wet clothes dry on a washing line.
    Condensation
    Water vapour cools high in the air and turns back into tiny drops of water.
    Example: Drops of water form on the outside of a cold glass.
    Precipitation
    Water falls from clouds as rain, snow, sleet or hail.
    Example: Rain falls from a dark grey cloud.
    Collection
    Fallen water gathers in rivers, lakes, seas and under the ground.
    Example: Rain runs down a hill into a stream.
    Card 1 of 4

  4. Label the diagram

    Image or diagram, 21–27 min

    Put each word in the right place.

    ABCD

    Choose the right word for each letter.

    • A
    • B
    • C
    • D

  5. A common mistake

    Common mistake, 27–31 min

    Some people think: "When a puddle dries up, the water is gone forever." Is that right?

  6. Put the steps in order

    Interactive activity, 31–36 min

    Put the steps in the right order. Use the arrows to move a step up or down.

    1. 1The vapour cools and condenses into clouds.
    2. 2Water collects in rivers and seas, and the cycle starts again.
    3. 3Water evaporates and rises as water vapour.
    4. 4Water falls as rain or snow.
    5. 5The sun heats water in seas, lakes and puddles.

  7. Questions and answers

    Discussion, 36–39 min

    • What makes a puddle dry up faster on a sunny day?
    • Why do water drops appear on a cold window?
    • What kinds of precipitation have you seen?
    • Where does rain go after it lands on the ground?

  8. Knowledge check

    Quiz, 39–45 min

    Answer each question. Take your time.

The Water Cycle: knowledge check

  1. 1

    What makes water evaporate?

    1 mark
  2. 2

    What is a cloud made of?

    1 mark
  3. 3

    Rain, snow and hail are all kinds of…

    1 mark
  4. 4

    When a puddle dries up, the water is gone forever.

    1 mark
  5. 5

    Where does rain go after it lands?

    1 mark

0 of 5 answered