Weather Class for 4th Grade Students in Utah
Weather
Utah's 4th Grade Science Standards, Objectives and Benchmarks
Standard 1: Students will understand that the elements of weather can be observed, measured, and recorded to make predictions and determine simple weather patterns.
Objective 1: Observe, measure, and record the basic elements
of weather.
a) Identify basic cloud types (i.e., cumulus, cirrus,
stratus clouds).
b) Observe, measure, and record data on the basic elements of weather
over a period of time (i.e., precipitation, air temperature, wind
speed and direction, and air pressure).
c) Investigate evidence that air is a substance (e.g., takes up
space, moves as wind, temperature can be measured).
d) Compare the components of severe weather phenomena to normal
weather conditions (e.g., thunderstorm with lightning and high winds
compared to rainstorm with rain showers and breezes).
Objective 2: Interpret recorded weather data for simple patterns.
a) Observe and record effeects of air temperature
on precipitation (e.g., below freezing resultsin snow, above freezing
results in rain).
b) Graph recorded data to show daily and seasonal patterns in weather.
c) Infer relationships between wind and weather change (e.g., windy
days often precede changes in the weather; south winds in Utah often
precede a cold front coming from the north).
Objective 3: Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational
data.
a) Identify and use the tools of a meteorologist
(e.g., measure rainfall using rain gauge, measure air pressure using
barometer, measure temperature using a thermometer).
b) Describe how weather and forecasts affect people's lives.
c) Predict weather and justify prediction with observable evidence.
d) Evaluate the accuracy of student and professional weather forecasts.
e) Relate weather forecast accuracy to evidence or tools used to
make the forecast (e.g., feels like rain vs. barometer is dropping).
Science Language students should use:
atmosphere, meteorologist, freezing, cumulus,
stratus, cirrus, air pressure, thermometer, air temperature, wind
speed, forecast, severe, phenomena, precipitation, seasonal, accuracy,
barometer, rain gauge, components
Science Benchmark:
Weather describes conditions in the atmosphere
at a certain place and time. Water, energy from the sun, and wind
create a cycle of changing weather. The sun's energy warms the oceans
and lands at Earth's surface, creating changes in the atmosphere
that cause the weather. The temperature and movement of air can
be observed and measured to determine the effect on cloud formation
and precipitation. Recording weather observations provides data
that can be used to predict future weather conditions and establish
patterns over time. Weather affects many aspects of people's lives.
Investigation
1 Strategies: Clouds
Cloud
Types (by UEN)
Cloud Types and
Information (Plymouth State University)
Clouds
and Cloud Chart (NWS at Louisville, Kentucky)
Clouds
and Cloud Chart (NWS at Key West, Florida)
Make a Cloud
in a Jar or Bottle (NWS at Jackson, Mississippi)
Investigation
2 Strategies: Thermometers
Make
a Thermometer (NWS at Jackson, Mississippi)
Investigation
3 Strategies: Wind
Make
A Wind Vane (NWS at Jackson, Mississippi)
Investigation
4 Strategies: Air Pressure and Barometers
Make
a Barometer (NWS at Jackson, Mississippi)
Air Pressure
Experiments (UCCW)
Investigation
5 Strategies: Severe Weather
Demonstrate
a Tornado in the Classroom (UCCW)
Make a Soapy Tornado (NWS at
Jackson, Mississippi)
Track a Thunderstorm (NWS at
Jackson, Mississippi)
Make Lightning in your Mouth
(NWS at Jackson, Mississippi)
Make Thunder (NWS at Jackson,
Mississippi)
Utah's
Severe Weather Video Presentations (ABC4-KTVX Television)
Utah's
Severe Weather (NWS at Salt Lake City, Utah)
Deaths
from Severe Weather in Utah (UCCW)
Investigation
6 Strategies: Collecting Weather Data
Daily
Weather Conditions for Utah Cities and Locations (UCCW)
Weather
Statistics for Utah Cities and Locations (NWS)
Weather
Statistics for Salt Lake City and Cedar City, Utah
Weather
Statistics for Provo, Utah
Make A
Rain Gauge (NWS at Jackson, Mississippi)
Make It Rain
(NWS at Jackson, Mississippi)
Weather
Instruments and Companies (UCCW)
Investigation
7 Strategies: Interpreting Weather Data
Weather
Education (UCCW)
Weather
Education (NWS)
Investigation
8 Strategies: Weather Forecasts
Forecasting
Utah's Weather (UCCW)
Experimental
Long-Range Weather Predictions for Utah (UCCW)
Weather Forecast for Utah
Cities and Locations (KSL Television)
Public Weather Forecasts
(NWS at Salt Lake City, Utah)
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