Return to: MASER Homepage | Elementary Table | Middle School Table | High School Table |

V.  EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE SITES

 2. HYDROSPHERE
Elementary

Benchmark 1 "Describe how water exists on earth in three states.

OGWDW - Kid's Page (Drinking Water Activities) - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1&2)
This site includes a simple activity for building a watercycle and an animated watercycle is available for viewing. Also included is a seasonal "newsletter" called Water Drops which is a collection of fun-facts, games and projects for kids.
States of Water - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1) New
This site has pictures and descriptions of water in it's three states. Also given are some easy experiments and pictures of solid, liquid and gasous water at the molecule level.
The Water Cycle - Hydrosphere(V.2.E.1)
This site contains an explanation of the water cycle with excellent graphic. It is a student activity.
The Weather Dude - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1&3) New
Outstanding - The "Weather Dude" is a general site with many links. Of particular interest will be the links to the glossary, weather songs, an online weather book and"stuff for teachers".
The Weather Unit (Evaporation, Condensation, Precipitation) - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1)
This is specifically a 2nd grade site involving a comprehensive unit on weather. It has numerous cross curricular activities, in the ares of drama, social studies, and art integrated with science.
Water: Visible and Invisible - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1)
Hands-on activity that demonstrates water in liquid and gas states.  Based on the guiding question, "What are two different states of water and how are they formed?".  Students use wet sponges on chalkboards to investigate and make predictions about evaporation.
What's Evaporation? - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1) New
This site is a teacher resource that has simple experiments about exaporation.
Water Magic - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.2)
This activity will introduce new vocabulary and will serve as a building block to future lessons on the water cycle. Students will use experiences from their everyday lives to practice the above skills. PURPOSE: This activity is designed to help students understand that water picks up natural and man-made substances as it moves over and through the earth. Students will observe and experiment with water in three physical forms. This is a teacher lesson plan.
Water Science for Schools - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1,2&3)
Good informational site including:  uses of water, glossary of water terms, water questions and answers, the earth's water, and water activities.
Water: Visible and Invisible - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1) New
This site is a teacher resource that gives simple experiments for early elementary students. The experiements introduce evaporation, condensation, water vapor and liquid water.

Benchmark 2 "Trace the path that rain water follows after it falls."

Brainpop Movie: The Water Cycle - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.2) New
Outstanding - This site offers a short movie (with sound) showing the water cycle. It also introduces vocabulary of precipitation, evaporation, water vapor and groundwater.
Make a Water-Cycle Wheel - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.2) New
Students make a water-cycle wheel. Site provides cut-outs and instructions for coloring and construction.
National Wildlife-Ranger Rick: Everyone Needs Water - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.2) New
This site has experiments involving the water cycle. It introduces evaporation, condensation, precipitation and water vapor. It has some interactive student puzzles and quizzes.
OGWDW - Kid's Page (Drinking Water Activities) -Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1&2)
This site includes a simple activity for building a watercycle and an animated watercycle is available for viewing. Also included is a seasonal "newsletter" called Water Drops which is a collection of fun-facts, games and projects for kids.
The Earth's Oceans - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.2)
This is an informational web site that shows the oceans of the earth and gives good information. This is a general information site.
Water Science for Schools - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1,2&3)
Good informational site including:  uses of water, glossary of water terms, water questions and answers, the earth's water, and water activities.

Benchmark 3 "Identify sources of water and its uses."

Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.3)
This is an EPA site for educators that has lesson plans, related links, and some activities.
The Weather Dude - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1&3) New
Outstanding - The "Weather Dude" is a general site with many links. Of particular interest will be the links to the glossary, weather songs, an online weather book and"stuff for teachers". This is a page on the "water cycle" with links to activities for students.
Understanding Groundwater - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.3) New
This site provides an activity for students to discover "What happens to rainwater when it hits the ground?".
Water Science for Schools - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.1,2&3)
Good informational site including:  uses of water, glossary of water terms, water questions and answers, the earth's water, and water activities.
Where is Earth's Water Located? - Hydrosphere (V.2.E.3)
Information on sources of water on the earth.
 
 Return to: MASER Homepage | Elementary Table | Middle School Table | High School Table |
 
Middle School
Benchmark 1 "Use maps of the earth to locate water in its various forms and describe conditions under which they exist."
Ocean Planet - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.1)
This electronic online companion exhibition contains all of the text and most of the panel designs and images from Ocean Planet, which premiered at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. Learn about the project by reading an overview of the exhibition, a message from the curator, or a copy of the final report. Learn about the variety of educational materials associated with Ocean Planet, including a set of lessons and marine science activities which adapt several themes of the exhibition for use in the middle and high school classroom.
The Water Cycle - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.1)
Through the construction of terrariums students connect the concepts of precipitation, condensation and evaporation into a unified water cycle concept.
Water Around The World - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.1)
Satellite pictures and general explanation of different water forms on the Earth's surface. Levels for beginners, intermediates and advanced.
Water Cycle Activities - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.1)
Includes lessons and activities for students on the Hydrologic Cycle. Follow-up lessons are included along with activities that deal specifically with Condensation and Evaporation.

Benchmark 2 "Describe how water in Michigan reaches the oceans and returns."

Earth's Water: Surface Water - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.2)
This site describes how water moves, the water cycle, surface water, groung water, and information releated to glaciers and ice caps.Great information on surface water, including diagrams.
GLOBE Hydrology - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.2)
The Globe Hydrology Investigation involves the regular monitoring of several parameters, including: transparency, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, alkalinity, and nitrate. GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) is an international program where your students can join students from around the world in monitoring their local environment. Students can then submit their findings to a growing database on the Internet. Scientists and other students can access the data for research about the global environment. All protocols for the activities are described, although to become an offical Globe site, teachers must also attend an official GLOBE training session. Information on training sessions can be obtained on the GLOBE site: http://www.globe.gov/
The Great Lakes - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.2)
This site has numerous links that provides information about the Great Lakes water shed.

Benchmark 3 "Explain how water exists below the earth's surface and how it is replenished."

Earth's Water: Ground Water - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.3)
Great information on ground water.
Water Treatment Path - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.3) New
This web site shows students the path of water through a water treatment plant. It also explains that groundwater is under ground and usually does not require as much treatment as water from lakes, rivers, and streams. The interactive informational map has scrambled water treatment terms at each treatment point. When students click on a scrambled word on the map the correct word appears with a description of what happens to the water at that point in the water treatment plant.

Benchmark 4 "Describe the origins of pollution in the hydrosphere."

Soda Bottle Hydrology - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.4)
Plans for students to make a model of the hydrologic cycle. Could be adapted to demonstrate how pollutants would affect this cycle.
Water Pollution - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.4)
This site describes the origins of pollution in the hydrosphere. This site has good information and drawings, but no activities or lesson plans.
 

Return to: MASER Homepage | Elementary Table | Middle School Table | High School Table |

High School

Benchmark 1 "Identify and describe regional watersheds."

EPA's Surf Your Watershed - Hydrosphere (V.2.HS.1&2)
Can get information about thousands of watersheds and testing results.
The Great Lakes - Hydrosphere (V.2.HS.1)
This site has numerous links that provides information about the Great Lakes water shed.
USGS - Hydrosphere (V.2.HS.1&2)
Information about the hydrological cycle, water sheds, etc.

Benchmark 2 "Describe how human activities affect the quality of water in the hydrosphere."

EPA's Surf Your Watershed - Hydrosphere (V.2.HS.1&2)
Can get information about thousands of watersheds and testing results.
Everyone is Against Water Pollution...but how does it happen and how can it be prevented? - Hydrosphere (V.2.HS.2)
Excellently written evaluation of water quality, water testing procedures and water treatment procedures. This site contains a great deal of information related to water quality issues.
Examining a Hazardous Waste Site - Hydrosphere (V.2.MS.2) New
This is an activity plan, which involves students looking and researching different Superfund sites and then analzye them in regards to what is polluting the being polluted. There are links to student activities, glossaries, and maps. You will need to run the related links to complete the activity, because this site is the lesson, not something the students can read and then conduct. Materials need to be printed before you do this activity.
United States EPA - Great Lakes Site - Hydrosphere (V.2.HS.2)
This site contains a wealth of information concerning the Great Lakes, including general information, watershed maps, pollution prevention, human health issues, among others. Links are also provided to educational programs and other relevant sites. This site is an excellent starting point for studying Great Lakes pollution.
USGS - Hydrosphere (V.2.HS.1&2)
Information about the hydrological cycle, water sheds, etc.
Return to: MASER Homepage | Elementary Table | Middle School Table | High School Table |