Weather Forecasting
Students work together in teams to interpret weather maps from eight consecutive days. Each team initially interprets the map for a single day and constructs a weather report for that day. Teams assigned the same day then combine to prepare, and present their weather report to the class. Students then use the information for all eight days to forecast the weather for the unknown, ninth day.
Details at a Glance
- 1-2 Days | 1-2 ~50 minute class periods
- 1 Activity
- Accommodates unlimiited classes, each with 16 groups of 2 students
- Meets our criteria for supporting literacy
- All materials are non-consumable
- Includes digital resources
- Developed in partnership with SEPUP
Scientific Concepts
- Global patterns of atmospheric movement influence local weather
- Weather is the outdoor conditions (such as temperature, precipitation, cloud cover, etc.) at a particular time and place. Weather maps provide visual summaries of some of these conditions
- Scientists such as meteorologists, atmospheric scientists, climatologists, and hydrologists study different aspects of the earth's weather and atmosphere. Society relies on the information provided by such scientists
- Disciplinary Core Ideas
• MS-ESS2.C The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes
• MS-ESS2.D Weather and Climate
Science and Engineering Practices
• Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
• Analyzing and Interpreting Data
• Engaging in Argument from Evidence
Crosscutting Concepts
• Cause and Effect
• Systems and System Models
• Connections to Nature of Science
Key Vocabulary: cold front, front, latitude, meteorologist, precipitation, prevailing wind, warm front, weather forecast
Guides & Student Sheets
Our kits and modules provide you with everything you need so you can open, review, and teach the material confidently the next day.
- Comprehensive Teacher Guide with background information, detailed instruction, example data and answers
- Student Sheets with age appropriate background information, full procedure(s), and analysis items
- Materials necessary for the investigation (beyond common classroom items)
- Safety Data Sheets
Kit Components
- 4 Weather Map Cards for August 24th and 25th
- 4 Weather Map Cards for August 26th and 27th
- 4 Weather Map Cards for August 28th and 29th
- 4 Weather Map Cards for August 30th and 31st
- 1 Visual Aid: Satellite Image of Clouds over North America
- 32 Student Worksheet and Guides
- 1 Teacher’s Guide
- Not included and needed for instruction: Colored pencils and local weather data.
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