Activity Overview
When students are learning about the water cycle, it's helpful for them to have a diagram that shows each step in one image. In this activity, students will create their own water cycle diagrams. You can differentiate or scaffold this activity by adding or removing information from the template or instructions. Students are also encouraged to provide a description of each step or the cycle as a whole using textables or the cell and description layout.
Water Cycle Description
The water cycle has no starting point, but this guide will start its description in the ocean.
The ocean is the largest store of water on Earth. Water evaporates from here, as well as rivers and lakes, when the surface is heated by the Sun. This warm, wet air rises because it is less dense than the other air around it. Higher up in the atmosphere, the water condenses to form clouds. Precipitation happens when the water particles cool and form bigger droplets. Depending on the temperature, these droplets fall as rain, frozen rain, snow, and hail.
Some of this precipitation falls straight back into water and some other precipitation falls onto the land. Some of this water flows across the surface of the ground; this is called surface runoff. This happens when the water can’t permeate into the ground. Other water infiltrates the ground and travels underground. This is known as groundwater flow. Eventually all this water runs into streams and lakes, and ultimately back into the sea for the water to go through this cycle again.
Some of the water gets absorbed by plants which they use for photosynthesis. Most plants get their water from the soil using their roots. The plants then need to move this water to their leaves where photosynthesis takes place. They do this using tubes in their stems called xylem. The process used to move the water is called transpiration.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create your own model of the Water Cycle.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Find an appropriate scene from the "Outdoor" or "Country & Rustic" categories.
- Use arrows to show the movement of water in the water cycle.
- Label the main parts of the water cycle with text and arrows.
- Add extra information about the water cycle with text boxes. Describe what’s happening at each stage.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labels | All the labels are correct. | Most of the labels are correct. | Some of the labels are correct. |
| Functions | All the functions are correct with no grammar or spelling mistakes. | Most of the functions are correct with some grammar and spelling mistakes. | Some of the functions are correct with many grammar and spelling mistakes. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
Activity Overview
When students are learning about the water cycle, it's helpful for them to have a diagram that shows each step in one image. In this activity, students will create their own water cycle diagrams. You can differentiate or scaffold this activity by adding or removing information from the template or instructions. Students are also encouraged to provide a description of each step or the cycle as a whole using textables or the cell and description layout.
Water Cycle Description
The water cycle has no starting point, but this guide will start its description in the ocean.
The ocean is the largest store of water on Earth. Water evaporates from here, as well as rivers and lakes, when the surface is heated by the Sun. This warm, wet air rises because it is less dense than the other air around it. Higher up in the atmosphere, the water condenses to form clouds. Precipitation happens when the water particles cool and form bigger droplets. Depending on the temperature, these droplets fall as rain, frozen rain, snow, and hail.
Some of this precipitation falls straight back into water and some other precipitation falls onto the land. Some of this water flows across the surface of the ground; this is called surface runoff. This happens when the water can’t permeate into the ground. Other water infiltrates the ground and travels underground. This is known as groundwater flow. Eventually all this water runs into streams and lakes, and ultimately back into the sea for the water to go through this cycle again.
Some of the water gets absorbed by plants which they use for photosynthesis. Most plants get their water from the soil using their roots. The plants then need to move this water to their leaves where photosynthesis takes place. They do this using tubes in their stems called xylem. The process used to move the water is called transpiration.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create your own model of the Water Cycle.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Find an appropriate scene from the "Outdoor" or "Country & Rustic" categories.
- Use arrows to show the movement of water in the water cycle.
- Label the main parts of the water cycle with text and arrows.
- Add extra information about the water cycle with text boxes. Describe what’s happening at each stage.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labels | All the labels are correct. | Most of the labels are correct. | Some of the labels are correct. |
| Functions | All the functions are correct with no grammar or spelling mistakes. | Most of the functions are correct with some grammar and spelling mistakes. | Some of the functions are correct with many grammar and spelling mistakes. |
| Evidence of Effort | Work is well written and carefully thought out. | Work shows some evidence of effort. | Work shows little evidence of any effort. |
How Tos about Label the Water Cycle
Organize a hands-on water cycle experiment for your class
Let students observe the water cycle in action by setting up a simple experiment using a plastic bag, water, and a sunny window. This visual demonstration helps reinforce each stage of the cycle and makes learning memorable.
Gather materials and prepare the experiment area
Collect clear zip-top bags, water, blue food coloring, and tape. Choose a classroom window that gets plenty of sunlight so students can easily observe the process.
Guide students to assemble their mini water cycles
Have students pour a small amount of colored water into each bag. Seal the bags and tape them to the window. Encourage careful observation to avoid spills and promote responsibility.
Prompt daily observation and discussion
Ask students to record changes in the bag over several days. Lead discussions about evaporation, condensation, and precipitation as they watch droplets form and move.
Connect experiment results to the water cycle diagram
Help students relate their observations to the stages in their water cycle diagrams. Reinforce understanding by asking them to explain what each part of the bag experiment represents in the actual cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions about Label the Water Cycle
What are the main steps of the water cycle for kids?
The main steps of the water cycle are evaporation (water turns into vapor), condensation (vapor forms clouds), precipitation (rain, snow, or hail falls to Earth), runoff (water flows over land), infiltration (water soaks into the ground), and transpiration (plants release water vapor into the air).
How can I teach the water cycle with a simple diagram activity?
Have students create their own water cycle diagrams by drawing or using templates. Ask them to label each part—such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff—with arrows and short descriptions. This hands-on activity helps visualize how water moves through the cycle.
What materials do I need for a quick water cycle labeling lesson?
For a quick lesson, you'll need diagram templates or blank paper, colored pencils or markers, and labels or text boxes for students to name each part. Optional: printed images or digital tools for interactive labeling.
How do plants play a role in the water cycle?
Plants absorb water from soil through their roots and then release it as vapor into the air by transpiration. This process helps move water from the ground back into the atmosphere, making plants an important part of the water cycle.
What is the best way to differentiate a water cycle activity for different student levels?
Differentiation can be done by adjusting instructions, using simpler or more detailed diagrams, providing sentence starters, or letting advanced students add descriptions and extra facts. Scaffold the activity to match each student's needs.
More Storyboard That Activities
Water Cycle
This Activity is Part of Many Teacher Guides
Testimonials
“By using the product, they were so excited and they learned so much...”–K-5 Librarian and Instructinal Technology Teacher
“I'm doing a Napoleon timeline and I'm having [students] determine whether or not Napoleon was a good guy or a bad guy or somewhere in between.”–History and Special Ed Teacher
“Students get to be creative with Storyboard That and there's so many visuals for them to pick from... It makes it really accessible for all students in the class.”–Third Grade Teacher
© 2025 - Clever Prototypes, LLC - All rights reserved.
StoryboardThat is a trademark of Clever Prototypes, LLC, and Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
