The Water Cycle

Grade 1 · General Science

Semester 2 | Period 4 | Week 22

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Subject: General Science

Semester: 2

Period: 4

Week: 22


Week 22
School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: General Science
Grade Level: Grade 1
Date: Week 22
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 22, Period 4
Topic: The Water Cycle
Sub-topic: Steps of the Water Cycle (Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation, Collection)

Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

  • Name and describe the steps of the water cycle.
  • Use simple science vocabulary: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection.
  • Draw and label the water cycle.

Previous Knowledge
Students already know:

  • Sources of water and uses of water in daily life.

Instructional Materials

  • Pictures of water cycle stages
  • Boiling water, ice, lid (for simple experiments)
  • Chart paper and markers

Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter) Time: 5–10 minutes

  • Teacher asks: “Where does rain come from?”
  • Students share ideas about water in rivers, ponds, and clouds.

B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)

Time: 25–30 minutes

Learners’ Activities (Expanded):

  • Teacher boils a kettle or pot of water and asks pupils to watch the steam rise → this shows evaporation (liquid water changing into vapor).
  • Teacher holds a cold lid, plate, or metal tray with ice cubes above the steam → students see water droplets forming → this shows condensation (vapor changing back into water).
  • Teacher pours the condensed droplets back into a clear bowl or cup to represent rainfall (precipitation).
  • Students observe carefully and describe what they saw at each stage in their own words.
  • Using charts or flashcards, teacher shows the complete water cycle diagram.
  • Students then draw and label their own water cycle:
    • Sun heating water (evaporation).
    • Clouds forming (condensation).
    • Rainfall (precipitation).
    • Water flowing into rivers, lakes, and oceans (collection).
  • In groups, students role-play the water cycle:
    • One child acts as the “sun” (evaporation).
    • Another as “clouds” (condensation).
    • Others as “rain” (precipitation) and “rivers/ocean” (collection).

Assessment Checks:

  • Oral questions:
    • “What happens when the sun heats water?” (Evaporation)
    • “What forms clouds in the sky?” (Condensation)
    • “What falls as rain?” (Precipitation)
    • “Where does rainwater go?” (Collection in rivers, lakes, oceans)
  • Teacher checks each pupil’s water cycle drawing for correct labels.
  • Group presentations: pupils explain their role-play stage of the cycle.

Notes (Expanded & Detailed):

  • The water cycle shows how water moves around the Earth.
  • Evaporation: The sun heats water in rivers, lakes, or oceans → it changes into water vapor and rises into the air.
  • Condensation: The vapor cools in the sky → forms clouds.
  • Precipitation: When clouds are heavy, water falls back to the Earth as rain, snow, or hail.
  • Collection: Water gathers again in rivers, lakes, and oceans, ready to repeat the cycle.
  • This cycle is continuous and provides us with fresh water to drink, cook, and clean.
  • Without the water cycle, living things would not survive because water would not return to Earth.

C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment) Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary:

  • Recap the four steps of the water cycle and their order.

Evaluation Method (Expanded):
• Exit slip/quiz: Students list the steps of the water cycle.
• Teacher will collect slips and provide oral feedback.
Assignment (Expanded):

  • Draw the water cycle at home and label each step.

Follow-up Activity:

  • Observe clouds and rain during the week and relate to the water cycle.

Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies

  • Use large diagrams for visual learners.
  • Pair students to help each other with labeling and experiments.

Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
• What worked well? ___________________________________________
• What needs improvement? ____________________________________
• Students’ engagement level: ☑ High ☑ Medium ☑ Low