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3rd Grade The Water Cycle worksheets

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The Water Cycle

Grade 3 Science Worksheet

NameDate

Write the stage of the water cycle: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, or collection.

  1. Rain, snow and hail fall from the clouds to the ground. Stage:

  2. A puddle slowly dries up on a sunny day. Stage:

    Use the picture in question 1.

  3. A cold glass of water gets wet on the outside on a warm day. Stage:

    Use the picture in question 1.

  4. Rain runs into streams, and the streams flow to the ocean, where the water gathers. Stage:

    Use the picture in question 1.

  5. The ocean holds most of Earth's water after it falls and runs off. Stage:

    Use the picture in question 1.

  6. Water falls from the sky as snow in winter. Stage:

    Use the picture in question 1.

  7. Heat changes liquid water into water vapor. Stage:

    Use the picture in question 1.

  8. Water vapor changes back into liquid when it cools. Stage:

    Use the picture in question 1.

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3rd Grade The Water Cycle worksheet 1 – printable PDF
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About this worksheet

Water is always moving. The sun warms water in oceans, lakes and puddles, and some of it rises into the air as a gas called water vapor: that is evaporation. High in the sky the vapor cools and turns back into tiny drops that make clouds: that is condensation. When the drops grow heavy they fall as rain, snow or hail: that is precipitation. The water runs into streams, rivers and the ocean, or soaks into the ground, and gathers there: that is collection, and then the cycle starts again.

On this sheet a third grader looks at the diagram, printed once, and writes the stage that each clue describes. The four stages are listed in the instruction. Ask your child to trace the arrows with a finger and say what is happening at each step.

What your child will learn

  • Name the four stages of the water cycle
  • Say what happens at each stage
  • Follow the arrows to see that the cycle repeats

NGSS standard: 5-ESS2-1, 3-ESS2-1

Worked example

The sun warms a puddle until it dries up. The water has turned into a gas and risen, so the stage is evaporation.

Common mistake

Mixing up evaporation and condensation: evaporation is water going up as vapor, condensation is vapor turning back into drops.

Helpful hint

Follow the arrows in the diagram and ask what is happening to the water.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with the water cycle?

Mixing up evaporation and condensation: evaporation is water going up as vapor, condensation is vapor turning back into drops.

How can I help my child with the water cycle?

Follow the arrows in the diagram and ask what is happening to the water.

Are these 3rd grade science worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

Similar: Weather Patterns · Climates Around the World

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