Ohio Standards Connections:

Science Standard Gr.7 Benchmark C

C. 5--Weather Prediction                                                                C. 7-- Weather Map Interpretation                                                 C. 9-- Weather Related Phenomenon

Library Standard:  Technology Literacy Gr.7Benchmark C                                                                                                                                 C.6--Using Internet

 

 

Unit Summary: WEATHER

Students will learn to predict weather based on              knowledge of cloud types, frontal systems, and                                weather maps.

Students will become familiar with weather terms,                        weather types, weather maps, and the physical                     description & appearance of clouds and the weather                associated with them. 

This will be accomplished by use of weather                              websites, worksheets based on those websites,                          collection of newspaper weather maps, and the                       recording of daily weather observations.

Students will also be introduced to proverbs based                             on weather phenomenon.

Students will be graded at the end of the unit in two                      ways:         

1) 20pts.will be given for complete, accurate                    worksheets all present in their science notebook                                  (15 pts. for mostly complete, 10  points for                                      somewhat complete, 5 pts. for mostly incomplete)                             and a weather presentation with poster at the end.                                                                  Presentation will be graded 25 points for content,                                   15 points for project preparation and 10 points for                            class presentation (voice loud and clear (5pt.), eye                    contact (5pt.), and knowledge (5pt.).

#3 Lesson Summary:

CLOUDS                              

Students will learn the names, shapes, altitude                              location, and weather indication of clouds.  Students                               will learn what a proverb is, read numerous weather                                                      proverbs, and write one of their own to share with                                   the class.


Estimated Duration:

80 minutes or 2 - 40 minute periods

 

 

Commentary:  Need to sign-up for time in the computer lab ahead of time and the adjoining library computers in case of computer problems in the lab.

Be sure to load websites being used into a document on the school district “share site” to access more easily since URL’s long and complex; but ALSO have the website URL on white board should the share site not work.  Be prepared for “quick” finishing as students’ website skills will be even better than in first 2 lessons. 

Have the digital camera ready and on hand for fast finishers to use outside. 


Pre-, Post-Assessment:

 

Students will be given vocabulary cards w/ cloud names; picture cards of clouds; cards w/meaning of names; and cards w/ terms: low-level, mid-level and high-level. In groups of 4, students will try to match each picture with its other descriptors.

 

When done matching cards, have students fill in a simple chart as they think the answers are.  Repeat the activity when students are all done with worksheet for website.  Have them fill in a 2nd chart and compare w/ 1st one.  As a class, go over the answers and give any group with 3 mistakes or less for both times a “no homework” ticket/privilege. 

 

Scoring Guidelines:

 

Worksheet from weather websites will be checked for correct answers.  It will require short answer, fill-ins, and chart creation

Informal assessment will be used, using conversation and interviews of students to check on students’ understanding of topic and website use to complete the worksheets.

Instructional Procedures:

 

Students will receive worksheet and “flash cards for the pre-assessment activity described above.  After the pre-assessment activity, the librarian will go over vocabulary listed below and demonstrate the website with the LCD projector.  The students will be given 15 minutes to complete the 1st sheet side immediately following the librarian’s demo of  those parts of website needed for its completion.  After 15 minutes of students working independently, they will be given the demo for the 2nd sheet side and given time to complete. 

Librarian and teacher will walk around the class as they move through worksheet and website, troubleshooting irksome computers, guiding/clarifying navigation of website.

 


Differentiated Instructional Support

Those who finish quickly will be allowed to take the digital camera outside to photograph the clouds with the librarian’s help.  They will then load the pictures onto student share for others to see and I.D. when done.


Extension

 

Ask students if anyone in their family uses proverbs in their day-to-day activities/speech.  Challenge students to query their friends and relatives at night and come back with 3 proverbs to share w/ the class.  They need not be weather related.

 

 


Homework Options and Home Connections

For homework, students will record weather indicators for 5 days on a sheet folded into booklet form.  Information to be recorded is cloud shape/name, altitude, precipitation predicted, temperature, and wind direction.  

Students will also be challenged for extra credit to make up a proverb and illustrate it.  It should be about weather.


Interdisciplinary Connections

Language arts teacher would follow this lesson with one on proverbs, maxims and idioms.


Materials and Resources:

For teachers

Worksheets; computers; LCD projector; digital camera and floppy discs, battery re-charger.

For students

Pencil

 

Key Vocabulary

Altitude, cirrus, contrail, cumulus, droplet, nimbus, root word, stratus, proverb


Technology Connections

Lesson will take place in the computer lab on the computers.

General Tips

 

The creation of cloud models with cotton, blue construction paper and white glue could be used as a follow-up activity to this lesson, or be a required element on the weather poster for the final presentation. This would enable the teacher to make an art connection.

 

 


Attachments

Web worksheet. Weather-data-collection sheet for homework use.