Virginia SOL 3.7.c

Science3rd GradeEarth and Space Systems

The Standard

the water cycle involves specific processes.

Virginia Standards of Learning for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students trace water as it moves through evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection or runoff. They describe how water changes state and moves repeatedly through the cycle.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students correctly label a water cycle diagram and explain each process in order. They can follow one drop of water through several locations and state changes.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think clouds contain water vapor rather than tiny liquid droplets or ice crystals. They may also think water disappears during evaporation or that every drop follows the same path.
How to Assess It: Give students an unlabeled water cycle diagram. Ask them to label four processes and write what happens to the water at each arrow.

Lesson moves

Seal warm water in a clear bag, tape it to a sunny window, and observe evaporation, condensation, and dripping water.
Ask students to explain where puddle water goes after a sunny day and how it might return.
Give groups process cards to arrange, then have students act out a water drop moving through the cycle.
Use a local weather forecast to trace how nearby water could become clouds, rain, runoff, and collected water.

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A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.7.c, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

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