Cynthia+Smith+Final+Project

**Water Cycle Lesson**

By Mrs. Cynthia Smith

__**Lesson Summary**__ The teacher will introduce the Water Cycle to students by first explaining how cycles, just like recycle and bicycle, go around in a never-ending journey. The teacher will then present a powerpoint to the students explaining what the water cycle is. The steps of evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and run-off will be covered, along with great visual images and examples. The teacher will lead a class discussion on the significance of the water cycle. Then students will watch a short united streaming video on the water cycle. The students will construct a water cycle diagram to apply what they have learned. The students will also use Animoto to create a short video of the steps in the water cycle. The teacher will demonstrate the steps for students to use Animoto and post the link to the classroom wiki.

__**5**____**th**__ __**Grade Science Standards**__ __Competency Goal 3__: The learner will conduct investigations and use appropriate technology to build an understanding of weather and climate. __Objective 3.01__: Investigate the water cycle including the processes of: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and run-off.

__**Hand-It-In Teaching**__ Students will take notes while viewing a teacher-made powerpoint on the steps of the water cycle. Students will then be given a worksheet of the water cycle wheel diagram to complete. Students will cut and paste the parts of the water cycle in correct order, then hand in to the teacher.

__**Publish-It Teaching**__ Students will take notes while viewing a teacher-made powerpoint on the steps of the water cycle. In order for students to share what they’ve learned, students will create their own 30-second water cycle video using animoto.com. The videos will be saved and made available for all 5th graders to enjoy! Animoto Tutorial //(click on the link below to view a brief tutorial on how to sign up for Animoto and view the steps necessary to create your own video)// //Mrs. Cynthia's Tutorial// __ //[]// __

//School Tube's Tutorial// __[]__

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">__**Project-Based Learning Strategy**__ <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Students will be creating their own video using the Animoto slide-show program. This program is more upbeat than the traditional powerpoint. This program allows students to take control of their learning and be creative while showing the four basic steps of the water cycle. Students can show their uniqueness by choosing from various background styles to set the tone of their video. They also get to choose a song from 13 different genres. They can upload images or cool pictures to add pizzazz to their video. They can also add text to the slides to explain or add more detail to their images. Their video will be easy to share as they post the link to their video on our classroom wiki. This assignment allows students to be more engaged and in control of their learning. They will have to understand the steps of the water cycle before even attempting to make a video.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">__**Assessment Strategies**__ <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">In order to assess what students know about the water cycle, the teacher will provide a rubric as a checklist for the Animoto project. The checklist will be used to assure accuracy used in creating the videos. The students will be required to have a title, including the name of the person making the video. They will also be required to have one slide each for evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and run-off. There should be a minimum of five images or pictures in the video. The pictures should be direct examples of the parts of the water cycle. For completion of the project, students will be required to post their video link to the classroom wiki. The teacher will act as a facilitator while observing and evaluating student videos, as well as providing feedback for students to make improvements or ensure accuracy of the water cycle steps. This type of assessment will require student understanding and creativity of the content, unlike a traditional guessing of multiple-choice questions.