Grade Level
8th and 9th

Subject 
Science

Learner Outcomes:
The student will:
1.  Identify Alaskan weather patterns and conditions; how the ocean, arctic winds, and global position effect them.
2.  Access Alaskan weather maps on a daily basis from the Internet during the Iditarod dog sled race and discuss and evaluate weather conditions.
3.  Chart weather conditions in Alaska during the Iditarod. 

Time Frame:
The lessons will take two 45-minute class periods plus ten minutes at the beginning of each period during the Iditarod Race.

Materials:
1.  Science textbook or workbook weather unit
2.  Map of Alaska (from Encarta Virtual Globe)
3.  Chart to record weather data

Science textbook or workbook weather unit.
1.  Map of Alaska(from Encarta Virtual Globe)
2.  Chart to record weather data

Technology Tools/Courseware:
1.  Computers with Internet access and color printer.
2.  Microsoft Encarta on CD-ROM
3.  Microsoft World Atlas on CD-ROM
4.  Grolier's Encyclopedia on CD-ROM 
5.  Microsoft Encarta Virtual Globe on CD-ROM

Teacher Notes:
1.  This unit will be introduced to the students in Language Arts class with the beginning of the study of "The Call of the Wild" and completed in Science class.
2.  If Encarta Virtual Globe is not available, use any good quality map.
3.  If computer labs are not available during a particular class, the online activities may be done on a single computer and a projection device or scan converter and the information viewed and discussed as a group.

Procedures:
1.  The teacher will instruct the students from the text and on-line Weather Maps on weather patterns and the effect of the Earth's movement on weather. 
2.  Students will be given the sites provided to locate information on Alaskan Weather and note the recent weather patterns from satellite, radar, and constructed maps.
3.  Through either individual or group work, weather maps will be accessed each day during the Iditarod and current weather patterns and conditions will be charted and discussed as to their effect on the race.
4.  Weather updates will be posted on the School Home Page

Modifications:

Teachers should determine the need for student assistance based on Inclusion and request a special education teacher and/or aide be present during lesson activities.

Enrichment Activities:
1.Keep a record of the daily weather on a chart for the city or town nearest your designated musher and compare it to the weather in your city.
2. Use a rain gauge to chart the amount of precipitation that occurs during the month of March and compare this to the amounts falling in a city or town near the Iditarod. Use current weather patterns to speculate on the reasons for the amounts in each area.
3.  Write a report on "the wind-chill factor"  including definitions, how it is calculated, and its effect 
on humans.

Evaluation/Assessment:
1.  Given a current Alaskan weather map(downloaded from a weather site), students will determine wind direction, cold fronts, high and low pressure systems, precipitation, and temperature.
2.  Using information acquired from the daily inspection of weather conditions, students will makeand maintain a daily record of the weather in Alaska to be turned in at the conclusion of the unit.

IGOs and Other Standards:
West Virginia IGOs:
Science-8.60, 8.69, 8.72, 8.84, 8.90, 8.91, 8.98

National Standards

References:

Suggested sites:

1.  Alaskan Weather- http://www.climate.gi.alaska.edu/
2. Alaskan Weather- http://www.alaska.net/~jnufo/currpajn
3. Alaskan Weather- http://weather.unisys.com/mrf/index_nhem.html
4.Alaskan Weather- http://www.alaska.net/%7Enwsar/
5. Alaskan Weather-http://climate.gi.alaska.edu/AKCityClimo/OME_Rec.html
6.  Alaskan Weather- http://members.theglobe.com/aggieconvert/idwxpage.htm
7. General Information-http://www.iditarod.com

Some materials and references from Iditarod Trail-Alaska, a learning unit developed by Dr. Cheryl Kish from Northern Illinois University, and Sue Schott, and Pam Hartwig from Hadley Junior High School in Illinois were used by permission.

Comments:

The Internet sites listed are given as suggested references. Teachers and students may want to find their own sites during the search process.

Created By: 
Blennerhassett Junior High School
Jo Miller
Eric Minigh
Beth Morgan
We will update our school's progress through this unit on our school web page found at http://www.netassoc.net/wcboe/Schsec.htm  -- Go to the Blennerhassett link.

Date Created:
February 15, 1999
 

Attachments
 
 

Alaskan Weather
 
 

DATE	CITY	SKY CONDITIONS	TEMP	WIND  DIRECTION	WIND SPEED	HUMIDITY	PRECIPITATION

 
 
 
 

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4

Lesson 5

Lesson 6