Scenario

You also know how important clouds are to the weather.  They drop rain or snow, or they let the sun shine through. 

Click on the cloud to see a movie on how clouds are made.

Meteorologists use cloud observations to help them to predict the weather.

Will we be able to have fun on the playground today?

Or will it rain on our fun?

You are going to learn how to use cloud formations to predict what the weather will be right here at our school.

After you do some research and observe some clouds you will be ready to make predictions.

The big question:                     

  How can clouds help us to predict the weather?

The little questions:

• What are clouds?

• Why are clouds important to precipitation?

• What are the three main types of clouds?

 Tasks and

 Products

• Read The Cloud Book by Tomie de Paola and at least one other book from the Print Resources.
• Play the game, "Name That Cloud".
• Click on the cameras to see  videos of clouds in thunderstorms.

• Visit a variety of Internet Resources.
• Print your Handbook Cover.
• Print and complete the Handbook Checklist.
• Complete the Main Cloud Types chart.
• Make a cloud model.  Click on the camera for a video demonstration.

• Record observations on the Cloud and Precipitation Observations sheets.
• Complete the slideshow activities.

 Assessments

*Slideshow Template;  Slideshow Draft Pages; Slideshow Scoring Tool (with your group)- Use your slideshow draft pages and your slideshow scoring tool to be sure that your slideshow is complete.

*You can produce your slideshow in Microsoft PowerPoint, using the art tool in WordPad.

 Gather and 

 Sort

 Reflection

 and

 Extension

To find the answer, click on my friends below.

Click on the butterfly below and read the italicized sentences.

Click on the butterfly below and read the second paragraph.

Click on the butterfly below and read the fourth paragraph.

If a butterfly can change the weather halfway around the world, many other things can change the weather too.

Questions to:

• think about

• talk about

• write about

1.   How can the amount of water in the air (humidity) affect your prediction?

2.  How many ways can the wind spoil your prediction?

3.  How many ways can a change in temperature change your prediction?

Congratulations!  You are now an expert cloud watcher.  Click on the fireworks to get your certificate.

Fun and Games

After all of your hard work, click on the cloud for some fun and games with clouds.