Explore Kits: Weather

GRADES 3-5

This kit has eight lessons written to teach and interconnect the various topics associated with weather such as temperature, pressure, wind, storms, collecting data and predicting or forecasting the weather. These lessons may be used as individual stand-alone lessons – especially the first four which introduce the topics of temperature, clouds, pressure, and wind speed. Lesson 1-4 could be taught simultaneously so all the measurements can be taken over the same time period. Lesson 5 is an Internet research activity. Lesson 6 and 7 use the skills learned in lessons 1-4 to collect and interpret weather data. If students already have the skills and knowledge taught in lessons 1-4 then a brief overview of the skill would suffice and moving onto lesson 6-7 would be appropriate. Lesson 8 puts everything together and the students can practice their forecasting and communicating skills by producing and role playing their own TV weather forecast. Fun!!!

Lesson 1: Clouds
Skill: Record cloud types in the sky/Predict weather from cloud type
Activity: Construct a cloud information folder

Lesson 2: Temperature
Skill: Record temperature around the school
Activity: Make a thermometer

Lesson 3: Wind
Skill: Reading a wind vane and anemometer/Record wind direction and speed
Activity: Make a wind vane/Make a wind speedometer or anemometer

Lesson 4: Pressure
Skill: Learn about air pressure/Record air pressure
Activity: Demonstrate air pressure/Make a barometer

Lesson 5: Investigating Sever Weather
Skill: Use the Internet to investigate severe weather in Montana

Lesson 6: Collecting Weather Data
Skill: Record temperature, pressure, wind speed, and cloud type for at least 5 days

Lesson 7: Interpreting Weather Data
Skill: Graph the data from lesson 6 and look for patterns

Lesson 8: Forecasting Weather
Skill: Create your own TV weather forecast using data collected in lesson 6-7

STATE STANDARDS

Standard 4. Students through the inquiry process, demonstrate knowledge of the composition, structures, processes and interactions of Earth’s systems and other objects in space.

4.4 Observe and describe the water cycle and the local weather and demonstrate how weather conditions are measured.

  1. Record temperature

  2. Display data on a graph

  3. Interpret trends and patterns of data

  4. Identify and explain the use of a barometer, weather vane, and anemometer

  5. Collect, record and chart data from each weather instrument

  6. Identify the patterns

  7. Discuss trends within the patterns

Standard 1. Students, through the inquiry process, demonstrate the ability to design, conduct, evaluate, and communicate results and reasonable conclusions of scientific investigations.

1.2. Select and use appropriate tools including technology to make measurements (including metric units) and represent results of basic scientific investigations

1.3. Use data to describe and communicate the results of scientific investigations

Standard 5. Students, through the inquiry process, understand how scientific knowledge and technological developments impact communities, cultures and societies

5.1. Describe and discuss examples of how people use science and technology

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED IN THE KIT

  • 2 Cloud Charts

  • 20 Student Thermometers

  • Large class thermometer

  • Water bottle with lid and hollow stick (homemade thermometer)

  • Directional Compass

  • 24 Ping Pong Balls

  • Commercial Wind Speedometer (Anemometer)

  • Upright Weather Station

  • Anemometer Device

  • Test tube and coverslip

  • Open Wide-mouth Jar

  • Nitrile glove

  • Plastic Bottle for “Leaky Bottle Demonstration”

  • Box with milk bottle for pressure demonstration

  • Pressure Pullers

  • Barometer – gold metallic

  • Water Barometer

  • Lightning Poster

  • Weather Poster

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