Overview
In this activity, students diagram the hydrologic cycle. Most of the concepts will already be familiar to middle and high school students, but this activity is a good way to prepare for making the far more challenging carbon cycle and energy NON-cycle diagrams.
Objective
- Students understand that the total amount of water on Earth is constant.
- Students understand that polar ice is by far the second most important reservoir of water on Earth.
- Students understand the concept of an ecological cycle, so they can subsequently apply the concept to carbon, nitrogen, and other ecological materials.
Preparation
No prior content is needed.
Procedure
- Show the Power Point presentation
- Discuss
- Read through the handout
- Show student work
- Turn students loose to complete the diagram
Extension
This is a good warm-up for tackling diagrams of the Carbon Cycle, Nitrogen Cycle and Energy NON-Cycle.
Assessment
The diagram is graded holistically. Emphasis is given to the clarity with which the concept of “cycle” is graphically expressed. Questions on a unit exam test specific content knowledge. For instance “Ninety seven percent of the world’s water is in the oceans. Where is most of the rest of it stored?”
Credits
Michael Wing, wing [at] marin.k12.ca.us
Standards
9-12 Content Standard D: Earth ad Space Science: Content Standard F: Science In Personal and Social Perspectives: b. Geochemical cycles c. Natural resourcesStandards Other
n/a
Attachment | Size |
---|---|
Download Lesson (PDF - 170 KB)169.6 KB | 169.6 KB |
Diagram Handout (PDF - 15.2 KB)15.24 KB | 15.24 KB |
Student Work (PDF - 871.8 MB)871.75 KB | 871.75 KB |
Download Powerpoint (PPT - 1.4 MB)1.41 MB | 1.41 MB |
This program is supported by the National Science Foundation. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed by this program are those of the PIs and coordinating team, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.