Grade Level:

  4

     Science
     Language Arts
     Technology
     Math

Learner Outcomes:

 
   Students will model how clouds form through an experiment.
   Students will write an explanation about how clouds form.  Cloud Worksheet

Duration of Lesson:

        60 minutes

Materials:

  Book Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs by Judi Barrett.
  Activity - All materials for activity listed below and at Create a portable cloud.
  gallon jar
  hot and cold water 100 ml
  rubber gloves
  lamp
  food coloring
  matches
  rubber band
Cloud Worksheet
  pencil
  paper

 

     Computer
     Internet
     Microsoft Word
     Printer

Teacher Notes:

   A mop and or paper towels may be needed for hands-on activity in case of spills.
   The Weather Chart and Cloud Worksheet will need to be copied in advance if
       Microsoft Word is not available.
   Teachers should be familiar with these sites Cloud Types and Cloud Slide Show.

Procedures:

1.  Introduce lesson using a projection device to look at web sites related to lesson.

Create a portable cloud
Cloud Types
Cloud Slide Show
Weather by Seymour Simon

2. Students will listen to the book Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs by Judi Barrett.
3. Students will stand in a large circle. Students will pass a cotton ball and tell
    one thing they know about clouds.
3. Students will be divided into cooperative groups (3-5) for the hands-on activity “Create a portable cloud.”
4. Students will be asked a series of questions found on "Cloud Worksheet"
5. As groups finish, they will go to a designated computer station to explore Cloud Types and Cloud Slide Show.
    These sites include information about cloud types and the weather.
    They generate games, puzzles, and other activities.
6. Students will document the weather for one week on a Weather Chart. This will be completed
    in Microsoft Word.

     Students with low reading skills may need a peer partner.
     Some students may need shortened writing activities.

     Students may read Cloud Book by Tomie de Paola.  This book gives detailed
        facts about the types of clouds.
     Students can research then give a report orally or written.
     Students may paint different kinds of clouds

1.  Students will paint paper with water. (Paint clouds, sunset, sunrise, or a storm. Use lots of water!)
2. Add some daytime colors on top.
3. Let the painting dry flat.

* Students may use the Paint Program instead of using real paint.

     watercolors
     paint brushes
     jars of water
     2 or 3 drop sheets
     large white piece of construction paper
     pictures of the sky
     Paint Program

  Rubric

     WV- SCIENCE .3.3.2 Use models as representations of real things.
     WV-READING/LANGUAGE ARTS .3.2.12 Write correctly formed sentences.
     WV-MATH .4.4.1 Measure using customary and metric units. 4.4.6 Read time to nearest minute.
     WV-TECHNOLOGY.4.3.1 Use a word processing program to create and format a document

Technology Standard

 Standard 2: Knows the characteristics and uses of computer software programs

  Earth and Space Sciences

  Standard 1: Understands atmospheric processes and the water cycle
  Standard 2: Understands Earth's composition and structure

Mathematics Standard and Benchmarks

  Standard 4: Understands and applies basic and advanced properties of the concepts of measurement

Writing

  Standard 1: Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process

References:

Cloud Slide Show
Portable Clouds
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs by Judi Barrett.
Cloud Book by Tomie de Paola
Weather by Seymour Simon
Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting: Build a Weather Station, "Read" the Sky and Make Predictions!

Authors:
   Rachelle Bennett
   Brenda Conley
   Kim Sheets

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