Lesson Plans:

We have a variety of lesson plans and activities that can be used the in classroom to teach children about the science of studying weather.

HAIL STONE IMPACT CLOUD TYPES AND THE FORMATION OF CLOUDS SNOW, COMPARISONS AND CONVERSIONS INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING ISOPLETHS WIND, WHAT CAUSES IT? HEAT TRANSFER IN THE ATMOSPHERE STUDYING RAINFALL

1. HAIL STONE IMPACT

• In this activity students will work in teams of 2 to study the formation of convective storms and the formation and structure of hail stones. Each team will test mock hailstones of varying sizes to investigate the impact and damage caused by hailstones. The teams will create graphs to analyze the data they have collected.
  

2. CLOUD TYPES AND FORMATION OF CLOUDS

• Students will learn how clouds form. They will be able to distinguish between the different cloud types and will use technology to record clouds. This lesson includes basic gas laws and the weather associated with different cloud types.

3. SNOW, COMPARISONS AND CONVERSIONS

• Students will be expected to know how snow forms in the atmosphere and the difference between wet and dry snow. They will learn how snow measurements are taken and how the mean, median and mode are calculated.

4. INTRODUCTION TO DRAWING ISOPLETHS

• Students will be expected to know how to recognize changes in weather patterns based on analyzed data. They will learn how to draw isopleths using raw data and how to analyze weather maps using isopleths. They will be given an understanding of how significant weather patterns can affect their lives and the lives of those around them including crops, livestock, and wildlife

5. WIND, WHAT CAUSES IT?

• Students will learn about what causes the wind and why the wind behaves as it does. They will learn the early cultural beliefs about the wind. They will study High and Low pressure systems and how pressure gradients affect wind flow and speed.

6. HEAT TRANSFER IN THE ATMOSPHERE

• Students will be expected to know how heat is transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation. Why hot dry air is pushed upward by cool or moist air. How thermals can help produce instability in the atmosphere. Activities include how to construct a hot air balloon from tissue wrapping paper

7. STUDYING RAINFALL

• Part 1 - Background & History of Rain Measurement
  Students will work in pairs or teams to read the history of rain measurement handout and create a visual representation that includes reasons for measuring rainfall and tools past and future. This could be a poster, cartoon strip, children's storybook, or educational brochure.
• Part 2 - Testing the Accuracy of a Rain Gauge
  Students will work in cooperative teams to identify and test variables that may affect the accuracy of a rain gauge, including evaporation potential, durability of the materials, materials expansion/contraction potential, uncertainty caused by the cross-section of the opening, and location of installation. Students will share findings of their research with the class in a 'mini-meteorology-convention'.
• Part 3 - Design and Build a Rain Gauge
  Students will work in pairs to design and build a rain gauge based upon the class research in part 2. Rain data will be collected and analyzed over a period of time with opportunities to improve on rain gauge design.
• Part 4 - Analyze Rainfall Data
  Students will compare class data to any available local rainfall data. Students will make and interpret graphs, maps, and charts and draw conclusions about rainfall patterns in their area.
• Work sheet: Big Lips Sink Ships