Virginia SOL 3.7

3.7 is a Standards of Learning science standard. These are the key ideas and practices under it.

• 3.7.a

  there are many reservoirs of water on Earth

• 3.7.b

  the energy from the sun drives the water cycle

• 3.7.c

  the water cycle involves specific processes.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students identify oceans, lakes, rivers, groundwater, ice, and the atmosphere as places where water is stored. They explain how sunlight causes evaporation, followed by condensation and precipitation. They also connect water supplies to the needs of plants, animals, and people.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students can label a water cycle diagram and describe each change in order. They can explain the sun's role and distinguish a water reservoir from a water cycle process.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think evaporated water disappears or that clouds are made of smoke. They may also think all water is fresh, drinkable, or moving through the cycle at the same rate.

04

How to Assess It

Give students an unlabeled water cycle diagram and ask them to add evaporation, condensation, precipitation, two reservoirs, and an arrow showing the sun's role.

1. 01

   Seal warm blue water in a clear bag, tape it to a sunny window, and label observed evaporation, condensation, and droplets.

2. 02

   Ask students to write where a raindrop might travel during one complete trip through the water cycle.

3. 03

   Teams sort picture cards into reservoirs or processes, then arrange the process cards in a repeating cycle.

4. 04

   After rain, mark a puddle's edge with chalk and observe how its size changes during the school day.

• 3.6

  The student will investigate and understand that soil is important in ecosystems. Key ideas include

• 6.6

  The student will investigate and understand that water has unique physical properties and has a role in the natural and human-made environment. Key ideas includ...

• 6.8

  The student will investigate and understand that land and water have roles in watershed systems. Key ideas include

• K.4

  The student will investigate and understand that water is important in our daily lives and has properties. Key ideas include