The Water Cycle - Lesson Plan

This comprehensive lesson plan focuses on the water cycle, aligning with the National Curriculum for Year 4 Chemistry. Students will delve into the science behind evaporation, condensation, and precipitation, learning how these processes are influenced by temperature and wind. They will explore the water cycle's various stages, including the transformation of water vapour into clouds and the formation of rain. The plan builds on previous knowledge from Year 1, where students identified and described everyday materials, and extends to Year 4, where they observed changes of state in materials due to heating or cooling. The lesson incorporates cross-curricular links with art, English, and religious education, offering a well-rounded educational experience.

Practical activities are central to the lesson, providing hands-on experiences such as creating a 'Cloud in a Jar' to observe condensation and simulating evaporation using various equipment like hairdryers and hand fans. Students will also research and create posters to visually represent the water cycle stages. Safety is a key consideration, with clear guidance on precautions such as avoiding hot equipment and wearing protective gear. The lesson aims to correct common misconceptions, such as the notion that changes of state are chemical reactions, and highlights interesting facts, such as the role of the sun in driving the water cycle. Keywords like evaporation, precipitation, and condensation are emphasised, and influential scientists who have contributed to our understanding of the water cycle are acknowledged.