The Water Cycle Lesson Plan
Learning Objective
Students will be able to understand the process of the water cycle and create an animated gif using Brush Ninja to demonstrate their understanding.
Materials
- Computers or tablets with internet access
- Brush Ninja website
- Paper and pencils for brainstorming
Procedure
- Begin by introducing the concept of the water cycle to students, explaining that it is the continuous journey that water takes from the earthβs surface up into the atmosphere and back down again.
- Discuss each stage in detail: evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection.
- Brainstorm as a class different ways to represent each stage through animation. For example: Evaporation: sun shining on a puddle or river causing it to disappear into the air. Condensation: clouds forming in the sky. Precipitation: rain falling from the clouds onto land or bodies of water. Collection: water flowing into rivers, lakes, and oceans.
- Have students work independently or in pairs to create their own animated gif using Brush Ninja that shows all four stages of the water cycle. Remind them to include labels or captions for each stage.
- Once finished, have students share their gifs with classmates and discuss what they learned about the water cycle.
Assessment
Assess student understanding based on their ability to accurately depict all four stages of the water cycle in their animated gifs.
Extension
For an extension activity, have students research how humans impact the water cycle (such as through pollution or deforestation) and create a second animated gif showing these impacts. Alternatively, they could explore other scientific concepts (such as photosynthesis or animal migration) and use Brush Ninja to create an animated explanation of those processes.
β The Solar SystemVolume and Surface Area of 3D Shapes β
How to animate with Brush Ninja
This video teaches the basics of using Brush Ninja
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Examples of Brush Ninja in Education
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Tweeted by Heather HaynesThe look on their faces says it all. Proud moment using Brush Ninja to create their own animations of the Earthβs Rotation.
Tweeted by Laura FreyDES 4th graders in Computer Science learning how to make a Gif (not the peanut butter! π) using Brush Ninja. They picked it up pretty quick since it is not too much different from filming in stop-motion which they did last year in 3rd grade.
Tweeted by Kevin HughesI learned about https://brush.ninja from @tonyvincent. Itβs free. Thereβs no sign in. The site saves your last project. Check out the gif I made for an algebra concept. How could you use this tool to help students show what they know?
Tweeted by Estee WilliamsThe sun has come out and animation lessons are in full swing! There are so many great software options available for children, but Brush Ninja is one of my personal favourites! @MisterRigbyDL
Tweeted by Heather HaynesGrade 3 Ginn @WilliamKingElem embraced animating the invisible forces they are learning in science through Brush Ninja @BinaryMoon this morning! I think they understood the concepts!!π
Tweeted by Chris Cocek



