Skills for Thinking Applied to the Water Cycle

Cognitive Memory

• How many stages are in the water cycle?
• Define the stages of the water cycle.
• Define the word condensation.
• Identify where condensation takes place on the model.
• Identify the different processes of the water cycle.
• Define the words precipitation, condensation, evaporation.
• Label the water cycle.
• Define the three states that water can be in.
• What is a cycle?
• What are the three states of matter?

Structuring, Organizing, Relating

• Make a chart of the different stages of the water cycle.
• Draw a diagram of the model and show where each state of matter is found.
• How does evaporation relate to condensation?
• Differentiate between condensation and evaporation.
• In what order does the water cycle happen?
• Make a diagram showing the path that water follows through the water cycle.
• Beginning with evaporation, in what order do the following happen: accumulation, precipitation, condensation?
• It is raining now.  What is going to happen to the rain next?
• Show how the model changed over time.
• Read a "circle book." Draw a diagram of the water cycle.
• What caused the water droplets to form along the bottom of the "atmosphere"? (the bottom of the container that is at the top of the model)
• What causes evaporation?

Convergent Generalizing

• Explain evaporation in your own words.
• Explain water vapor in your own words.
• Explain in your own words where water goes.
• In one sentence state the main idea of the water cycle.
• Explain in your own words how and why liquids change their state of matter.
• Explain in your own words how the water cycle works.
• Explain in your own words what is happening in the model.
• Explain in your own words how the water is being cycled through the different states of matter in the model.
• Explain evaporation in your own words.
• What makes rain?
• What causes precipitation?
• Explain in your own words how water droplets form on the sides and top of the model.

Divergent Thinking

• Predict what will happen if we cover the ice cubes when we put them over the warm water.
• Design an experiment that represents at least 2 parts of the water cycle.
• Conclude what the results would be if there was no container covering the top.
• How does pollution effect the whole world through the water cycle?
• Is there another way to demonstrate the processes of the water cycle?  Explain how you would do this.
• What would the results be if we used cold water instead of warm water in the model?
• What might happen if the water was not heated?
• Predict what would happen if a heat source was used with this model.
• How does rain affect your garden?
• Predict what would happen if the groundwater is ice cold.
• Is steam a liquid or a gas?  Support your position with evidence.
• Design an experiment to demonstrate how and under what conditions snow would form in the water cycle.
• What would happen if the water was polluted?
• Design a different experiment to show the process of evaporation.
• Predict what would happen if you used cold water in the bottom of the model and put it by the window.

Evaluate

• Was today’s lesson valuable?  Why or why not?
• How could the water cycle have been explained better?
• How could this activity have been done better?
• Is there any way we could improve this water cycle model?  How?
• Do you feel this experiment helped you understand how the water cycle works?
• What was the most important idea you learned today and why?
• In your own words, tell what you have learned about the water cycle.
• Why is it important to know what happens in the water cycle?
• What is your opinion of water pollution and its effect on the water cycle?
• Are you satisfied with your experiment?
• Are you satisfied with the idea that this is a model of what happens in the real world?

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