GRADE: ESAM: K-2

CONTENT STANDARD: Earth and Space Science

CONTENT TOPIC: Meteorology

CONCEPT: Weather is a result of changing atmospheric conditions.

CONTENT OBJECTIVE: C4.00 To understand how cloud formations relate to weather conditions

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES: The learner will:

4.01 list three kinds of clouds.
4.02 define cirrus, cumulus, and stratus.
4.03 identify the types of weather indicated by the three major cloud types.

I. Cirrus
Il. Cumulus
III. Stratus

TN COMPONENT OF SCIENCE: Process Of Science

TN GOAL:

To enable students to demonstrate the process of science by posing questions and investigating phenomena through language, methods and instruments of science

1.5 EXPLAINING - Phenomena and related information are made understandable through discussion that culminates in a higher level of learning

1.5b Non-mathematical language may be used to interpret the relationships presented in mathematical form.

BENCHMARK: Pictures may illustrate relationships observed.

TIME REQUIRED FOR LESSON:

45 minutes to one hour

White construction paper, drawing paper, writing paper, pencils, crayons

Today we're going to talk about the three different kinds of clouds. Raise your hand if you have looked up on a sunny day and seen big, puffy clouds. How about skinny clouds? (response) What did the clouds look like on a rainy day? (response) After our lesson today, you'll know the scientific names for each type of cloud and the types of weather that go along with each.

(On the chalkboard write the name of each cloud with a picture to represent it.) Long ago, boys and girls, people didn't have all the equipment to tell them about the weather as we do today. A lot of their information came from just looking up at the sky. Let's pretend that we lived back then. We go outside, look up at the sky and there are some clouds. These clouds are very high up. They're thin and wispy. These clouds are called CIRRUS clouds. We would see these clouds on cool or cold days, so we would need to take a jacket with us. Tell your neighbor what kind of weather we have if cirrus clouds are in the sky.

Another day we might go outside, look up and there are clouds again. But today the clouds are big, puffy clouds that look like cotton. These clouds are called CUMULUS clouds and they tell us the weather is warm and nice. What might you be wearing? (shorts, bathing suits, etc.)

If we heard thunder outside, we would look up at the sky and the clouds we would see on a rainy day would be STRATUS clouds. What would you need to take outside with you? (Call on students randomly to describe one of the different clouds and the weather that's associated with lt. Review when necessary.)

(Give out three sheets of drawing paper. Children are asked to label each page by the name of one of the clouds. They then are asked to draw an appropriate weather scene for each page. Use cotton balls to make clouds. Draw children dressed appropriately. Allow time for all the students to finish.) Now that your pictures are finished, we're going to play a game. I will describe a day and you can hold up the appropriate cloud picture. (Example: "It's a warm day. The sky is very blue with a few puffy clouds." The children should hold up picture with cumulus clouds.) Tell your neighbor what you have learned today. (response)

Today we have learned that cirrus clouds are high wispy clouds that form in cold weather, show me. Cumulus clouds are puffy clouds that form in warm weather. Stratus clouds indicate storms. Hold up the picture that best shows today's weather.

(The following activities are suggested:

1. Develop a language arts center about clouds. Provide students with white construction paper and markers. Children use free hand to draw a cumulus cloud. The clouds should be big enough to write at least five lines. They are asked to complete this sentence: I am on Cloud Nine when _____________________. Clouds could be cut out and displayed on a blue background bulletin board.

2. Provide writing paper and pencils. Have children write a Haiku poem about stratus clouds. Illustrate or decorate around the poem and display in the room.

3. Put together cloud booklet with a poem, informational and make-believe story.

4. Do daily weather watch and record findings on a giant calendar.

5. Cloud Watch Activity: Use beads in labeled baggies (one for each cloud type, rainy, cold, and sunny) to keep track of weather. At the end of the month, convert into a bar graph.

6. Read The Cloud Book by Tommie de Paola.)

This is the time this file has been accessed since 03/01/2004.

The University of Tennessee at Martin is not responsible for the information or views expressed here.

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