CREATED BY:  Kathy Aden

SUBJECT:  Science – Weather

GRADE LEVEL:  2nd Teacher Led, 2nd-3rd Gifted Students, For all in grades 4-8

STUDENTS WILL USE:  Internet, Excel, Presentation, Microsoft Word

MATERIALS NEEDED:  One computer per student with Internet access, Excel, Microsoft Word, Printer, Pencil

DURATION OF PROJECT: 6 days (5 for weather observation and 1 to complete final project)

ASSESSMENTS:

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE: (SCAFFOLDING ACTIVITIES)

Using Excel instructions included

You have already learned about weather and temperature in the classroom. But let’s review the different types of clouds again before we begin our activities.

WEATHER OBSERVATION  

Click on the above link to read about 4 kinds of clouds. Are you ready to take the quiz located under Step 3? Go to Step 3, located on the left of the page. Right click, choose Select All, Right Click, Copy. Open a new Word document. Right click, Paste, Print.  Do not save.  Take quiz.  Be sure to write your name on the top.  How did you do?  Are you ready to move on?

Click on "Severe Weather and Natural Disasters" on the left side of the screen, then click on "Winter Storms". Read "The Basics". When you have read it and understand, get your paper and pencil to take the quiz under "Words to Know". Write your 10 answers on the back of the first quiz. Now you should be ready to move on to the next activity!(knowledge & comprehension)

WEATHER MAKER

Click on the link above to go to the Weather Maker. Read the directions given and then when you are ready click Start. Adjust the slide bars and read about each type of weather you have created. Have fun with this activity! Try at least 10 different weather combinations. 

(knowledge, comprehension)

It’s time to watch your own weather! For 5 days you will observe and record the weather. You will record your findings in an Excel spreadsheet. Click on the snowflake icon   and print out the scaffolding directions to create your spreadsheet. Turn in your spreadsheet at the end of project for assessment.

WEATHER TRACKER

Click on the above link for our local weather. Find the 10 day forecast and print it off. You now know what the weather forecasters say the weather will be like for the 5 days you will observe. On your spreadsheet you will track the accuracy of this forecast. You will check www.weather.com along with other sources every day to verify this information. When complete, print your spreadsheet for assessment. 

(knowledge, comprehension, evaluation) 

WEATHER FORECAST                               

Click on the above link to create your own weather forecast.

Print your code that the program gives you. Input your zip code…38305. Put your name for the Forecast Title. Under Add a Slide, click on "5-day forecast". On the calendar choose Next. Now create your weather forecast. You only need to complete the sections you observed on your own 5 day forecasting.

You predict the weather! According to the last 5 days of your 10 day forecast you printed, complete your predictions. Use your own observations from the first 5 days to make any changes that you think might occur. Be realistic!

Choose Save. You may Preview before you click Finish. Check your work to make sure it is exactly the way you want it. You will become a Meteorologist and present your "Forecast" to the class.

(knowledge, comprehension, application, synthesis & evaluation)