Water Cycle Diagram
I Remember the first time I saw water cycle diagram. I was in middle school, and I had no idea why it was important. I knew vaguely that water changed places frequently. I knew, for example, that it would go up into the air and form clouds, come down as rain, and slowly drain out into the ocean. The significance of this fact was lost on me however.
That is why when I show my students a diagram of the water cycle, I am careful to explain its significance. Nowadays, water cycle diagrams and not just a casual part of the curriculum. They are absolutely crucial to understand. After all, with global warming as it is, understanding the water cycle is important for the leaders of tomorrow. The water cycle, you see, is one of the most important environmental cycles. Almost everything about our environment is completely dependent on it.
When looking at a water cycle diagram, I usually start with the mountains, work my way down to the oceans, and head up to the clouds. Mountains, after all, are one of the most important steps in the water cycle diagram, and one of the ones most affected by global warming. You see, mountain glaciers are usually reservoirs of water. In the winter, increased snowfall adds to their supply. In the summer, melting causes a seasonal flood. In my water cycle diagrams, I am sure to note how this can be changed by excessive global warming. When all the water on top of the mountains has melted, there will be no seasonal flood, which will cause widespread drought.
This cataclysmic change affects every other stage of the water cycle diagram. The reproductive life of fish, the seasonal crops planted by farmers, and the populations of various animals are all affected by the cycle of water. By seeing how one stage changes another stage and that changes the third stage, my students can see the possible effects of global warming and learn the importance of stewardship for the earth. There is no more valuable lesson that I can teach them. I just hope that the water cycle diagram is sinking in more for them than it did for me. If it isn’t, I fear for the future of our planet. After all, the things that we learn in school are the things that we take into our lives. That is why effective teaching is so important.
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