Cooperative Group Research Project
Jigsaw Activity
Title: What Goes Around Comes Around
Overview: In groups of four, students will research and understand the
natural processes involved in the water cycle. Students will investigate the
various ways humans use water and the positive and negative ways humans
impact the water cycle. Students will share their findings with their peers as
a jigsaw activity.
Objectives:
1) Students will
2) Students will
3) Students will
the group.
4) Students will
resources.
retrieve and interpret data on the water cycle.
identify key facts related to the water cycle.
evaluate information and share his or her knowledge with
think critically about the importance of conserving earth’s
Lesson Idea: Students will be divided into groups of four with each student
becoming an expert on a different use of water. Students will research how
humans use water and the positive and negative ways human use impacts
earths’ water. Student 1 will research manufacturing uses of water, student
2 will research household uses of water, student 3 will research recreational
uses of water, and student 4 will research agricultural uses of water.
Students will be further divided into expert groups to research their topic.
After gathering information on their topic, students will return to their first
group to share their information.
Assessment tools:
 Water Cycle Activity Worksheet
 Knowledge checklist using PBL checklist
Links and resources:
Jigsaw activity overview
http://www.jigsaw.org/overview.htm
Problem Based Learning checklist
http://pblchecklist.4teachers.org/
Household Uses of Water
http://www.iptv.org/exploremore/water/uses/use_household.cfm
Agricultural Uses of Water
http://www.iptv.org/exploreMore/water/uses/use_agriculture.cfm
Manufacturing Uses of Water
http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org/Manufacturing_Introduction.aspx
Recreational Uses of Water
http://www.water.ncsu.edu/watershedss/dss/lake/recreation.html
This activity is adapted from What Goes Around Comes Around and can be
located at:
http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:Yeg9bVZEQQMJ:resources.educatio
n.tas.gov.au/item/edres/508337d0-9607-8364-e55927b2d5a59b24/1/The_Liquidators__What_Goes_Around_Comes_Around.doc+water+cycle+jigsaw+activity+wh
at+goes+around+comes+around&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefo
x-a
Name _______________________________________Period___________
Water Cycle Activity Worksheet
Each group member will answer the following questions for their area of
expertise. You will work with a fellow classmate who is also an expert in the
same area. Once the questions are complete each member will return to
their main group and report their findings.
 What are some of the different ways in which we use water
for recreational activities?
List all the recreational uses for water and then answer the following
questions for each recreational use of water.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is the activity?
How does the activity involve using water?
Where is the activity usually carried out?
What are the rules and safety concerns for participating in the activity?
How does the activity affect the water cycle (positive and negative
human impact) or the environment in general?
 What are some of the different ways in which we use water
for Agricultural activities?
List all the agricultural activities for water and then answer the following
questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Which crops use the most water and why?
Where is the water drawn from?
How is water wastage minimized?
How can agriculture and irrigation affect the water cycle (positive and
negative human impact) or cause environmental problems?
5. Is anything being done to reduce these problems?
 What are some of the different ways in which we use water
for Manufacturing?
List various products that use water in the manufacturing processes and
then answer the following questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the product?
How much water is used in the manufacturing of this product?
If the world ran out of water, could this product still be made?
How can manufacturing affect the water cycle (positive and negative
human impact) or cause environmental problems?
5. Is anything being done to reduce these problems?
 What are some of the different ways in which we use water
for Household use?
List all the household uses for water and then answer the following
questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the activity?
How does the activity involve using water?
How is water wastage minimized?
How can household use affect the water cycle (positive and negative
human impact) or the environment in general?
5. Is anything being done to reduce these problems?