Earth Science · Earth's Water Systems
How Water Moves Underground: Infiltration, Permeability & Aquifers
Model how water infiltrates Earth materials, compare permeability, and explain how groundwater can collect and move through aquifers.
Lesson plan
How Water Moves Underground: Infiltration, Permeability & Aquifers
A step-by-step guide to help you teach this lesson.
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Lesson overview
What students will learn
- I can explain infiltration as water moving from the surface into soil or rock.
- I can compare how quickly water moves through Earth materials with different permeability.
Key science ideas
- Infiltration begins when surface water enters pores or cracks in soil, sediment, or rock.
- Permeable materials have connected spaces that allow water to move through more easily.
- Groundwater fills spaces and cracks below the surface; it is not usually a giant underground lake.
Lesson at a glance
- Grade 5
- 50 min
- ~12 min prep
- 8 materials
What’s included
- Lesson Plan
- Investigation
- Teacher Slides
- Printable Worksheet
- Teacher Answer Key
- Interactive Activity
- Vocabulary