Water Cycle
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Approach:  One to one
Level: Year 8
Focus: Describe the water cycle  
Resources:
Diagram
312Kb
Questions/instructions:


Hand student diagram.
Here is a diagram showing the
water cycle. It was drawn by a
year 8 student.

Try to explain what you think
is happening at each part of
the water cycle.

[Click on graphic to enlarge.]








 
     
% responses
     
y8
1. What do you think is happening in the water cycle at 1?

the sun is shining
66
consequence is things getting warmed up/heat
32
2. What do you think is happening in the water cycle at 2?
 
evaporation of moisture (water) into sky
58
3. What do you think is happening in the water cycle at 3?
 
cloud contains water as water vapour
24
rain/snow falling from the cloud
89
Quality of explanation:
strong
4
moderate
12
no explanation
84
4. What do you think is happening in the water cycle at 4?
 
rain or snow falling onto mountains or hills
60
some stored in cold areas as snow / ice
11
some runs down as streams, rivers (into sea)
26
some absorbed into ground
2
5. What do you think is happening in the water cycle at 5?
 
water from rain, snow, hail has reached sea
63
water in sea is evaporating back into sky/ the process starts again
38

Total score:
9–13
5
7–8
16
5–6
34
3–4
32
0–2
13
Subgroup Analysis [Click on chart to enlarge] :
Year 8
Commentary:
Most year 8 students could only offer partial explanations of the stages of the water cycle. Few Pasifika students scored well on this task.