Teachers' notes
Looking at the water cycle
Aims: Make notes on and use evidence from across a text to explain events or ideas.
Integrate words, images and sounds imaginatively for different purposes.
Consolidate understanding of the water cycle.
Age group: 9–11: (Year 5 & 6, England / Year 6 & 7, NI / Year P5 & P6, Scotland)
Literacy skills: Identify specific information in the text and then present it as a diagram.
Demonstrate understanding by completing a cloze procedure.
Curriculum links: Geography – England and Wales
Environment and society – Northern Ireland
Environmental studies – Scotland
Science – England and Wales
Science and technology – Northern Ireland
Environmental studies – Scotland
Content:
- Whiteboard: Read an explanation of the water cycle. Highlight 8 key words/phrases that can be used to label a diagram to present the explanation in a different way. Label the diagram and add arrows.
- Activity sheet: Complete a cloze procedure using the water cycle text. Use the completed text to make labels on a mini-poster about the water cycle. Present this to younger children.
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Extension: Use the skill of working from notes to make a weather forecast presentation.
Suggestions for questions:
- Activate prior knowledge: What do we already know about where rain comes from?
- Reflect on learning: Why is the water cycle so important? Can you explain the process in your own words?
- Stimulate further research: Why is the wind important in this process? Is rainfall the same all over the world?