The Water Cycle
By Amy Wellman and Kristen Lasky
 
   Water moves around the Earth in a Water Cycle.
 
 
The water cycle is the only way that Earth can be continually supplied with fresh water.  The heat from the sun is the most important part of renewing our water supply.
 
 

There are 4 parts to a water cycle:

Condensation- happens when clouds start to form. 

             Examples of condensation: clouds, dew, steam

Precipitation- is when rain  falls from the clouds.
 
            Examples of precipitation:  rain, snow, sleet (ice pellets), and hail (large frozen
             rain drops)
 

Accumulation- means that water accumulates or makes puddles. 
 
            Examples of accumulation:  puddles, lakes, rivers, oceans
Evaporation- happens when the sun dries up the puddle and  the water turns into water vapor.
 
            Examples of evaporation cannot be seen!

 
Water  Conservation
 
 
 
 The Earth has been called the water planet.  Between two-thirds and three-fourths of its surface is water.  The earth's water can be seen in flowing rivers, ponds, lakes, oceans, glaciers, and drifting through the air as clouds.  Groundwater, water that has seeped into the earth's crust , is more difficult to see.
 
 

Extra! Extra!
We tend to think of the water on our planet as being limitless.  Actually, the amount of water is limited.  Scientists believe that all of the water that we will ever have is on the earth right now!
 

PSST!
We have a responsibility to conserve water, use it wisely, and protect its quality.
 

 

LINKS FOR KIDS
Activities
 
 
 

 

Conservation
 
 
 

 

 
Science Court (stories and activities)
 
 
 

F.Y.I.

Did you know that a camel can drink 17 gallons of water at one time?  Camels store their water in their stomachs , not in their humps.

Did you know that a full-grown tree can drink enough water each day to fill 4 bathtubs?

Did you know that most of the water in the world is the same water that was here when the Earth was formed?   The water from your faucet could contain molecules that the dinosaurs drank!!

 
 
 

More fun facts:
 http://ianrwww.unl.edu/ianr/waterctr/wctriv.html
 
 

 

 Thank You
 The End!