Printable Water Cycle Worksheet

How well do your students know science vocabulary related to the water cycle? Do they remember the differences between transpiration, evaporation, and condensation? If you are looking for a fun activity for your students to complete to reinforce vocabulary development, Teach Starter has a crossword puzzle you can use in your classroom today!

Students will complete this crossword puzzle by matching vocabulary terms for 12 water cycle-related definitions. To complete this puzzle, students must read the clues below to determine which word goes in each box. Clues under “across” will be filled in the horizontal spaces, and clues under “down” will be written in the vertical boxes. A word back is also provided at the bottom of the worksheet.

An answer key is included with your download to make grading fast and easy!

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

In addition to independent student work time, use this worksheet as an activity for:

• Guided science groups
• Lesson warm-up
• Lesson wrap-up
• Fast finishers
• Homework assignment
• Whole-class review (via smartboard)

Have students who need a challenge try and solve the puzzle without using the word bank. They can cover it with a sticky note or a small piece of paper. You also can choose to use the editable version to delete the word bank.

For students who need extra support, allow them to reference a water cycle poster or resource that includes pictures of each stage.

🖨️ Easily Download & Print

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource.

Because this resource includes an answer sheet, we recommend you print one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the blank worksheet for students to complete.

Turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity by printing on cardstock and slipping it into a dry-erase sleeve. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them.

This resource was created by Madison Evans, a teacher in North Carolina and Teach Starter Collaborator.

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities to shorten your lesson planning time:

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Water Cycle Mini-Book (In Depth)

Use this 10-page mini-book when learning about the water cycle.

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The Water Cycle – Reading Comprehension Worksheet

Enhance your students’ comprehension and science vocabulary skills with this water cycle worksheet.

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Water Cycle Sort – Sorting Activity

Use knowledge of the steps in the water cycle to categorize examples with this sorting activity.