Rain, Rain, Go Away!
A Weather Webquest for Reading to Be Informed


Introduction
Your Task
Process
Resources
Evaluation
Conclusion

 
Introduction
       Mrs. Elburn has a problem, and needs your help!  Every morning, she wakes up and fixes her hair, so that she looks nice for all of you.  However, it has been raining A LOT lately.   When it rains, her hair gets curly and big, and she gets upset.  Mrs. Elburn can't understand why it rains so much!
         Using your knowledge of weather, your reading to be informed skills, and the resources in this webquest, help Mrs. Elburn find out what makes it rain.  This process is called the water cycle.  Continue through this webquest to learn more about the water cycle, so that you can help your teacher.
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Your Task
        Your job is to visit our class Hot Topics List to read to be informed about the water cycle.  Take notes on your part of the water cycle on your Think Sheet.  Take this information back to your group to plan a slide show informing Mrs. Elburn of why it rains.  Use KidPix to create your slide show.
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Process
A.  Independent Work
1.  Mrs. Elburn has assigned you one part of the water cycle, evaporation, 
condensation, or precipitation.  Your part is at the top of your Think Sheet, 
(which you should have with you at the computer!)
2.  Visit our Hot Topics List on our class website.
3.  Read the information in each link about the water cycle.  Use your Reading to Be Informed strategies!
4.  Include important facts on your part of the water cycle on your Think Sheet.
5.  Take your Think Sheet back to your group members and be ready to cooperate.
B.  Group Work
1.  Allow time for all group members to share the information they gathered.
2.  Decide how you can organize this information in a slide show to tell Mrs. Elburn why it rains. 
3.  Complete your Slide Show Planning Sheet.  HINT - Use the slide show rubric in your planning!
4.  Each group member should create their slide using KidPix.  Then, bring all of your slides together into a slide show.  Be sure to save often!
5.  Check your slide show rubric again with your group members.
6.  Email Mrs. Elburn to tell her that you are ready to teach her about why it rains!
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Resources
To read to be informed about the water cycle, visit our Hot Topics List...
 

...Or use our First Connections:  Golden Book Encyclopedia CD-ROM.
 

...Or check out weather books at the library, such as:

  • Berger, Melvin.  Can It Rain Cats and Dogs?:  Questions and Answers About Weather.
  • Berger, Melvin.  How's the Weather?:  A Look at Weather and How it Changes.
  • Cole, Joanna.  The Magic School Bus Wet All Over.  A Book About the Water Cycle.
  • Eagle, Kim.  It's Raining, It's Pouring.
  • Farndon, John.  Eyewitness Explorers:  Weather.
  • Germain, Katrina.  Big Rain Coming.
  • Grazzini, Francesca.  Rain - Where Do You Come From?  (I Want to Know).
  • Hale, James.  Down Comes the Rain.
  • Hiscock, Bruce.  The Big Storm.
  • Jennings, Terry.  Find Out About Weather.
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Evaluation
Independent Checklist
Group Rubric
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Conclusion
      Congratulations!  You and your group have now completed your webquest!  You should be able to share your slide show with Mrs. Elburn to teach her about the water cycle.  Be prepared to explain anything that she might not understand. 
      The next time it rains, be sure to tell a friend or family member all about the water cycle!



Click here to return to the top of the Webquest!
Created by Mrs. Elburn.
Last Updated:  8/9/00.