About to Start Weather

In a week, my class will be moving on from the scientific method to weather. In order to activate prior knowledge (and also to ensure all my students have this background understanding), we will start by discussing the water cycle. They'll work together to create this foldable that labels, explains, and shows the water cycle.

It is just a regular sheet of cardstock or copy paper folded at 2 3/4" from both ends. This brings the flaps together at the center of the page. The flaps are cut at 4 1/4" or right in the middle, all the way to the fold line. Each step of the water cycle gets a flap of its own, and the image drawn inside, along with the description, go with that particular step.

It is a quick, easy way to ensure all my kiddos have the same background for discussing the importance of weather.