Grade Level: 5, 6

Subject(s):

• Science/Meteorology
• Computer Science

Duration: Five 45-minute sessions

Description: In this lesson, students will learn about different types of clouds, the levels in which the clouds are classified, and the precipitation associated with them. In groups, students will gather information about clouds from a CD-ROM and then enter the information into a teacher-made database. Students will also use web cams from the Internet to make predictions about weather for cities across the country.

Goals:

1. Students will be able to identify different cloud types.
2. Students will understand the relationship between clouds and precipitation.
3. Students will be able to gather and analyze information for inclusion in a database.
4. Students will be able to make predictions about the weather.

Objectives:

1. Given 20 pictures of cloud formations, students will write the names of the clouds and the precipitation associated with them with at least 75% accuracy.
2. Students will accurately type cloud data into a teacher-made database.
3. Given a web cam site, students will write down their predictions of the weather for three different cities with at least 75% accuracy.
4. Students will compare their predictions with the current weather for each city and conclude whether or not their predictions were accurate.

Materials:

• computers with access to the Internet
• database software (AppleWorks was used for this lesson)
• teacher-made worksheet of cloud formations (see Procedures for instructions on creating the worksheet)
• pens/pencils and paper
• floppy disk or zip disk
• Everything Weather CD-ROM (see a review of the software here: http://www.weatheronline.com/features/everythingwx/ )

1. Altocumulus - made up of water droplets, "high heaps or piles," white to gray in color, altitude: 6,000-20,000 ft.
2. Altostratus - high, spread out clouds, altitude: 15-20,000 ft.
3. Cirrocumulus - high thin clouds, altitude: 20,000 ft.
4. Cirrus - highest cloud in the sky, white and wispy, altitude: 20-30,000 ft.
5. Cirrostratus - close thick clouds with a "sheet like" appearance, altitude: 20,000 ft.
6. Cumulonimbus - clouds associated with thunderstorms and severe weather, altitude: up to 60,000 ft.
7. Cumulus - billowy cloud puffs in "heaps of piles," associated with rain, altitude: 20,000 ft.
8. Nimbostratus - spread out rain clouds, layer of smooth gray clouds, altitude: ranges between 3,000-10,000 ft.
9. Precipitation - liquid or a solid water molecule that falls from the clouds in the form of rain, drizzle, snow, sleet, or hail.
10. Prediction - something foretold.
11. Stratocumulus - low hanging lumpy clouds with dark gray color, altitude: below 6,000 ft.
12. Stratus - thick and gray "sheet like" clouds, altitude: 5,000 ft. and above.

Procedure:
The teacher will introduce and discuss different cloud formations by displaying numerous visual images (overheads, Internet, and/or various pictures). Then students will play "Name That Cloud" on the Everything Weather CD-ROM. This activity gives students a chance to become familiar with different cloud formations along with the precipitation associated with them. The teacher will give students a teacher-made worksheet with 20 pictures of cloud formations. [The authors regret that a copy of the worksheet could not be included with this lesson plan. To make the worksheet, just put together pictures of cloud formations (about 20) and paste them on a piece of paper. For pictures, you can use clip art, hand drawings, or photos.] Students will label each picture with the correct name, along with the precipitation associated with each cloud type.

Divide students into groups of four. Each group will receive one specific cloud category (examples: high clouds, medium clouds, low clouds, vertically developed clouds). Students will research their specific cloud category by collecting data from the CD-ROM. The information that students discover will later be entered into a class database. Students should research information about precipitation, altitude, weather associated with the clouds, and characteristics of the clouds. After students have collected their information, they will take turns entering the data into the teacher-made database. The teacher will then copy the database onto floppy disks and distribute them to each group. (This could also be done with a server in a lab.) 

After all of the information has been entered, show students a web cam Internet site (http://www.camcentral.com). Demonstrate how to view skylines for various cities across the country. Keeping the same groups as in the previous activity, have students apply their knowledge of clouds and weather to make an accurate "forecast" for a selected city. For the city, students will be expected to do the following: identify the cloud(s) seen in the skyline (and the precipitation associated with them), predict what type of precipitation will occur if any, and predict what the temperature will be for that day.

Students will check their predictions by going to the Weather Channel site (http://www.weatherchannel.com) to look up the weather forecast for each city. Each group will be responsible for submitting their written predictions along with a description that includes why or why not their predictions were correct. They will also report back to the class about the accuracy of their results and explain what they would do differently (regarding their predictions). 

Lesson Extension:
Take the class outside on a cloudy day and have students record the cloud(s) that they see. Students should also predict what the weather will be like for the rest of the day. Back in the classroom, students will share and discuss their answers (the teacher should verify students' comments and predictions).

Assessment: Collect students' worksheets and check them for accuracy. Students will also be assessed on the accuracy of the information they entered into the database and their weather forecast predictions.

Useful Internet Resources:
* Web Cam Central
Contains web cams for various places around the world. For skylines, click on CategoryCam and select Skylines - Views.
http://www.camcentral.com

* Weather Channel - Homepage
http://www.weather.com

* PSC Meteorology Program Cloud Boutique
Contains pictures and descriptions of various types of clouds.
http://www.millville.org/Workshops_f/Rowe_Science/clouds_f/
cldtext/clouds2.html