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The water cycle
This is the lesson from the AI lesson-planning worked example, built out in full: an interactive video introduces the processes, groups build a model, and a live quiz shows you exactly what to reteach.
Standards
- NGSS MS-ESS2-4 — Develop a model to describe the cycling of water through Earth's systems driven by energy from the sun and the force of gravity.
- ISTE 1.3 Knowledge Constructor — Students use digital tools to collect information and construct knowledge from it.
Objective
Students will be able to build a model of the water cycle that shows evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and runoff, and explain where energy from the sun and the force of gravity drive each process.
The model students will build
Materials & setup
- The lesson plan itself was drafted with an AI assistant using the five-ingredient prompt, then checked and edited — see Lesson planning with AI.
- A short water-cycle video in Edpuzzle with 3 embedded questions — see Interactive video.
- A shared Google Slides deck, one blank slide per group.
- A 6-question Kahoot (drafted with AI, answers verified) — see Live quizzes.
- A clear glass of ice water for the hook.
Lesson sequence
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5 min
Hook: the sweating glass
Hold up a glass of ice water that has beaded up on the outside. Ask: "Where did that water come from? It didn't leak through the glass." Students jot a prediction.
Tech: None — a real phenomenon beats a screen here.
Why it helps: Starting with something students can see and touch gives the video a question to answer.
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10 min
Interactive video
Students watch the Edpuzzle individually with headphones. It pauses for three questions, including one that returns to the sweating glass.
Tech: Edpuzzle with embedded questions.
Why it helps: Every student answers every question, at their own pace — and you see who's confused before group work starts.
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15 min
Build the model
Groups build a labeled model of the water cycle on their slide. It must show four processes and use arrows to mark where the sun's energy and gravity are the drivers.
Tech: Shared Google Slides deck in grid view.
Why it helps: You can watch every group's model take shape at once and spot missing drivers (often gravity) in real time.
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10 min
Live check
Run the 6-question Kahoot with time pressure reduced. After each question, pause on the results and ask a student to explain the right answer.
Tech: Kahoot.
Why it helps: The answer distribution shows instantly which misconception to address — before students leave the room.
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5 min
Exit ticket
On paper or a Form: "Explain the sweating glass using the words condensation and energy. Then name one place gravity moves water in the cycle."
Tech: Optional — a short Form collects responses in one place.
Why it helps: Brings the lesson back to the hook and checks the core standard: the sun and gravity as drivers.
Differentiation
Support
Provide a partly labeled model template and a word bank. Turn on captions and slower playback in the video.
English learners
Captions plus the translated transcript; sentence frame for the exit ticket: "The water on the glass came from ___ because ___."
Stretch
Add transpiration and groundwater to the model, or explain how a warmer climate would change one process.
Assessment
- Edpuzzle results: flag students who missed the condensation question before group work.
- Group models: all four processes present; sun and gravity correctly marked as drivers.
- Exit ticket: correct use of condensation and energy, plus one correct example of gravity.
Sources & further reading
- MS-ESS2-4 Earth's Systems — Next Generation Science Standards.
- ISTE Standards for Students — International Society for Technology in Education.