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Clouds

Clouds

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to observe and record changes in the appearance of objects in the sky such as clouds, the Moon, and stars, including the Sun.

Essential Understanding

The student knows that the natural world includes the air around us and objects in the sky.

Science Background

What are Clouds? NASA (website) - Learn about cloud composition, different types of clouds, and why clouds are important.

What are Clouds?
NASA, www.nasa.gov

Clouds: Exploring Weather (website) - Information about cloud formation, properties, and movement, and about different cloud forms.

Clouds
Exploring Weather, www.exploringweather.com

Signature Lesson

Clouds, A Teaching Box: UCAR Center for Science Education (website) - Students learn how to observe and describe clouds.

Cloud, A Teaching Box
UCAR, Center for Science Education www.scied.ucar.edu

Supporting Lessons

Do You Know That Clouds Have Names? The Globe Program (website) - Join Simon, Anita and Dennis as they explore cloud names. This module includes a storybook and accompanying learning activities.

Do You Know That Clouds Have Names?
The Globe Program, www.globe.gov

Make a Cloud Mobile: NASA (website) - Make a “cloud mobile” with common household materials to reinforce understanding of different types of clouds.

Make a Cloud Mobile
NASA, The Space Place, spaceplace.nasa.gov

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Create a Cloud in a Bottle: NASA, S’Cool (website) - Identify and create the conditions necessary for clouds to form. Includes assessment.

Create a Cloud in a Bottle
NASA Student Cloud Observations Online, scool.larc.nasa.gov

Make Fog in a Jar: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (website) - Fog is a cloud that touches the ground or the surface of a body of water. In this investigation, students create and observe fog in a jar.

Make Fog in a Jar
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, eo.ucar.edu

Assessment Ideas

Have each student make a Cloud Journal in his/her science notebook, and draw and describe the appearance of clouds in the sky each day for two weeks.

Literature Connections

Let’s Read-and-Find-Out Science Series: Clouds. Rockwell, Anne (ISBN: 0064452204)

Ready to Read: Clouds. Bauer, Marion Dane (ISBN: 0756956161)

Related Science TEKS

(1.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to recognize and demonstrate safe practices as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including wearing safety goggles, washing hands, and using materials appropriately.

(1.1B) Importance of Safe Practices
The student is expected to recognize the importance of safe practices to keep self and others safe and healthy.

(1.2A) Ask Questions
The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world.

(1.2B) Plan and Conduct Descriptive Investigations
The student is expected to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations such as ways objects move.

(1.2C) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect data and make observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, and non-standard measurement tools.

(1.2D) Record and Organize Data & Observations
The student is expected to record and organize data and observations using pictures, numbers, and words.

(1.2E) Communicate Observations
The student is expected to communicate observations with others about simple descriptive investigations.

(1.3A) Identify, Explain and Propose a Solution to a Problem
The student is expected to identify and explain a problem such as finding a home for a classroom pet and propose a solution in his/her own words.

(1.3B) Make Predictions
The student is expected to make predictions based on observable patterns.

(1.3C) Explore Scientists
The student is expected to describe what scientists do.

(1.4A) Tools for Collecting Information
The student is expected to collect information using tools, including computers, hand lenses, primary balances, cups, bowls, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and timers; non-standard measuring items such as paper clips and clothespins; weather instruments such as demonstration thermometers and wind socks; and materials to support observations of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Related Math TEKS

1.12A  The student is expected to explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

1.13A  The student is expected to justify his or her thinking using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

Additional Resources

Science Activities: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (website) - Hands-on lessons that help to demonstrate the forces and conditions that produce clouds and other weather events.

Science Activities
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, eo.ucar.edu

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