As a high school or introductory undergraduate Chemistry, Geography or Earth Sciences teacher, you can use this set of tools to teach about the water cycle- its components, the distribution of natural water resources on Earth and the impact of climate change on it.
This lesson plan allows students to learn about the different stages of the water cycle and the factors that influence it. It includes resources that teach students about the different components of the water cycle in detail and how they can be affected by climate change. This lesson plan also enables students to learn about the distribution of water resources under a natural water cycle, how it could be altered due to anthropogenic practices, and what measures could be adopted for a sustainable future.
Thus, the use of this lesson plan allows you to integrate the teaching of a climate science topic with a core topic in Chemistry, Geography or Earth Sciences.
The tools in this lesson plan will enable students to:
Lesson plan contributed by Dr Akanksha Gupta (Sri Venkateswara College) and Dr Vinod Kumar (Kirori Mal College), Delhi, India.
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| Grade Level | High School, Undergraduate |
| Discipline | Chemistry, Geography, Earth Sciences |
| Topic(s) in Discipline | Environmental Chemistry, Water Cycle, Biogeochemical Cycles, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere, Water Resources and Climate Change, Hydrological Cycle, Condensation, Evaporation, Evapotranspiration, Groundwater, Precipitation, Sublimation |
| Climate Topic | Climate and the Hydrosphere, Climate and the Atmosphere |
| Location | Global |
| Language(s) | English |
| Access | Online / offline |
| Approximate Time Required | 70 – 120 mins |
| Share | |
| Resource Download |
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Video (~8 min)
Use the video, ‘Water Cycle’ by Khan Academy to introduce your students to the processes involved in the water cycle on Earth. Describe how the water changes through gas-liquid phases and how each phase impacts life on Earth. Finally, discuss how the water cycle results in the distribution of saltwater and freshwater resources on Earth.
Reading (45 min)
Use the webpage, ‘The Water Cycle for Adults and Advanced Students’, by the USGS (United States Geological Survey) Water Science School, to explore various aspects of the natural water cycle in detail. Use the tabs in the ‘Overview’ section to explain the different components of the water cycle such as condensation, precipitation, and evaporation. Stress on the importance of each component in maintaining the equilibrium of the natural water cycle and on the distribution of natural water resources on Earth. Direct your students to download the water cycle diagram for a visual representation of the natural water cycle. If required, use the interactive water cycle diagram in the multimedia section to enable better understanding of the topic.
Note: The water cycle diagram and a summary text are available in over 60 different languages.
Reading (15 min)
Use the reading, ‘The Water Cycle and Climate Change’ by UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) Center for Science Education to explain the effects of climate change on the natural water cycle on Earth. Discuss using the text, how processes such as evaporation, precipitation, and cloud formation are affected by climate change. Further explain how these changes in turn could exacerbate global warming, leading to increased changes in the Earth’s climate.
Optional: Teaching Module (50 min)
Use the teaching module, ‘Unit 2: The Hydrologic Cycle and Freshwater Resources’ by SERC (The Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College) to discuss the different components of the water cycle, the distribution of Earth’s water resources and the possible effects of anthropogenic activities on the quality and availability of water. Use the teaching notes to enable discussions on how human beings could optimize the use of water resources to facilitate environmental justice globally and adopt sustainable practices in keeping with Earth’s natural water cycle. The teaching module has several downloadable documents such as pre-class activity sheet, assessment rubric, instructors’ notes, and lecture notes. The entire teaching module is also available to be downloaded for offline use.
Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation
Use the tools and the concepts learned so far to discuss and determine answers to the following questions:
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Interactive Quiz; ‘Precipitation and the Water Cycle’ | A quiz by NASA’s Global Climate Change website to enable your students’ to test their knowledge about the natural water cycle and its role in Earth’s climate.
This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Video micro-lecture; ‘How Will Climate Change Affect It? – The Water Cycle’ | A brief video micro-lecture by Dr Jeff Dozier, Hydrologist, UC Santa Barbara to explain how climate change can affect the water cycle on Earth.
This can be accessed here |
| 1 | Video; ‘Water Cycle’ | By Khan Academy |
| 2 | Reading; ‘The Water Cycle for Adults and Advanced Students’ | By the USGS (United States Geological Survey) Water Science School |
| 3 | Reading; ‘The Water Cycle and Climate Change’ | By UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) Center for Science Education |
| 4 | Teaching Module; ‘Unit 2: The Hydrologic Cycle and Freshwater Resources’ | By SERC (The Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College) |
| 5 | Additional Resources | Quiz by NASA’s Global Climate Change website Video micro-lecture by Dr Jeff Dozier, UC Santa Barbara. Hosted by National Science Foundation (NSF) YouTube Channel |
| Grade Level | High School, Undergraduate |
| Discipline | Chemistry, Geography, Earth Sciences |
| Topic(s) in Discipline | Environmental Chemistry, Water Cycle, Biogeochemical Cycles, Hydrologic Cycle, Condensation, Evaporation, Evapotranspiration, Groundwater, Precipitation, Sublimation. |
| Climate Topic | Climate and the Hydrosphere, Climate and the Atmosphere |
| Location | Global |
| Language(s) | English, one resource available is several languages |
| Access | Online / offline |
| Approximate Time Required | 70 – 120 mins |
| Share | |
| Resource Download |
Here is a step-by-step guide to using this lesson plan in the classroom/laboratory. We have suggested these steps as a possible plan of action. You may customize the lesson plan according to your preferences and requirements.
Video (~8 min)
Use the video, ‘Water Cycle’ by Khan Academy to introduce your students to the processes involved in the water cycle on Earth. Describe how the water changes through gas-liquid phases and how each phase impacts life on Earth. Finally, discuss how the water cycle results in the distribution of saltwater and freshwater resources on Earth.
Reading (45 min)
Use the webpage, ‘The Water Cycle for Adults and Advanced Students’, by the USGS (United States Geological Survey) Water Science School, to explore various aspects of the natural water cycle in detail. Use the tabs in the ‘Overview’ section to explain the different components of the water cycle such as condensation, precipitation, and evaporation. Stress on the importance of each component in maintaining the equilibrium of the natural water cycle and on the distribution of natural water resources on Earth. Direct your students to download the water cycle diagram for a visual representation of the natural water cycle. If required, use the interactive water cycle diagram in the multimedia section to enable better understanding of the topic.
Note: The water cycle diagram and a summary text are available in over 60 different languages.
Reading (15 min)
Use the reading, ‘The Water Cycle and Climate Change’ by UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) Center for Science Education to explain the effects of climate change on the natural water cycle on Earth. Discuss using the text, how processes such as evaporation, precipitation, and cloud formation are affected by climate change. Further explain how these changes in turn could exacerbate global warming, leading to increased changes in the Earth’s climate.
Optional: Teaching Module (50 min)
Use the teaching module, ‘Unit 2: The Hydrologic Cycle and Freshwater Resources’ by SERC (The Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College) to discuss the different components of the water cycle, the distribution of Earth’s water resources and the possible effects of anthropogenic activities on the quality and availability of water. Use the teaching notes to enable discussions on how human beings could optimize the use of water resources to facilitate environmental justice globally and adopt sustainable practices in keeping with Earth’s natural water cycle. The teaching module has several downloadable documents such as pre-class activity sheet, assessment rubric, instructors’ notes, and lecture notes. The entire teaching module is also available to be downloaded for offline use.
Suggested questions/assignments for learning evaluation
Use the tools and the concepts learned so far to discuss and determine answers to the following questions:
Use this lesson plan to help your students find answers to:
| 1 | Interactive Quiz; ‘Precipitation and the Water Cycle’ | A quiz by NASA’s Global Climate Change website to enable your students’ to test their knowledge about the natural water cycle and its role in Earth’s climate. This can be accessed here. |
| 2 | Video micro-lecture; ‘How Will Climate Change Affect It? – The Water Cycle’ | A brief video micro-lecture by Dr Jeff Dozier, Hydrologist, UC Santa Barbara to explain how climate change can affect the water cycle on Earth. This can be accessed here |
| 1 | Video; ‘Water Cycle’ | By Khan Academy |
| 2 | Reading; ‘The Water Cycle for Adults and Advanced Students’ | By the USGS (United States Geological Survey) Water Science School |
| 3 | Reading; ‘The Water Cycle and Climate Change’ | By UCAR (University Corporation for Atmospheric Research) Center for Science Education |
| 4 | Teaching Module; ‘Unit 2: The Hydrologic Cycle and Freshwater Resources’ | By SERC (The Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College) |
| 5 | Additional Resources | Quiz by NASA’s Global Climate Change website Video micro-lecture by Dr Jeff Dozier, UC Santa Barbara. Hosted by National Science Foundation (NSF) YouTube Channel |
