Weather Maps

Day 13 Objectives: Students will create weather maps like meteorologists use to predict weather

Standards: Science Standards: ES4d Students know how to use weather maps and data to predict local weather and know how weather forecasts depend on many variables. Common Core Standards: W.5.2d Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain a topic. ISTE: NETS-Students 3. Research and Information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. B. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. Materials: Laptops, internet connection, webspiration program, paint program, gimp 2 program, chart paper, markers, a weather type map and questions Websites: Webspiration http://www.webspirationclassroom.com/ Classroom Collaborative: http://www.collaborizeclassroom.com/ Gimp 2 http://www.softwarewatcher.com/listing/122237/Gimp?did=10940&pid=1&ppd=search,38695218275,gimp,p,,c,0,,,&gclid=CNWCsuOWkb0CFVNufgodsIAAqA

Satellite Map: Map Website: http://www.intellicast.com/National/Satellite/Infrared.aspx Background Website: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/wsatwork.htm Radar Map: Map Website: http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Current.aspx Background website: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/wearadar.htm Precipitation Map: Map Website: http://www.intellicast.com/National/Precipitation/Daily.aspx Background Website: http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/%28Gh%29/guides/mtr/cld/prcp/home.rxml Temperature Map:

Map Website: http://www.intellicast.com/National/Temperature/Current.aspx Background: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/whattemp.htm Wind-Speed Map: Map Website: http://www.intellicast.com/National/Wind/Current.aspx Background: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/weather/wpress.htm Current Surface Map: Map Website: http://www.intellicast.com/National/Surface/Current.aspx Background: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/?n=basic-fronts Instructional Directions: 1. Ask students if they know what a meteorologist is. Ask them to turn and talk to a partner (2min). Share out students responses. Confirm that meteorologists are scientists who study and measure weather data. Explain that meteorologists or scientists who predict and report the weather use different types of weather maps. Write these different types of maps in a word bank as you discuss it so students may refer to them later: satellite, radar, precipitation, temperature, wind speed, and surface. These maps show how meteorologists study the variables and the patterns to predict what the weather will be like. 2. Inform students they will work in groups of 4 to look at one type of weather map. They will have two days to research and present. I have provided a link and questions for each group. In addition, have each student upload an outline of the United States (see below). Tell each group to use the map as a base to draw its assigned type of map. Remind them to include a map key. Inform each group that they must have a narrative explaining their map. Review Weather Map rubric with students (see below). They can either use paint, gimp 2 or webspiration to edit their map. Students know how to use all editing programs. When completed, they will upload it to their Classroom Collaboratives so classmates will have a better understanding of that type of map. Each group will present their weather map. After each presentation, two students will be allowed to ask questions of their peers. 4. Give each group a type of weather map and their list of questions (see below). Monitor groups as they proceed with their research. Ensure groups are answering the questions I have provided.

Weather Maps

Day 14 Objectives: Students will create weather maps like meteorologists use to predict weather Students will be able to present a weather map like a meteorologists Standards: Science Standards: ES4d Students know how to use weather maps and data to predict local weather and know how weather forecasts depend on many variables. Common Core Standards: W.5.2d Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain a topic. ISTE: NETS-Students 3. Research and Information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. B. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. Materials: Laptops, internet connection, program, chart paper, markers, a weather type map and questions Websites: Instructional Directions: 1. Give students some time to finish their narratives. Each group will present what they learned to the class. After each presentation, student peers may ask questions.

Day 15 Objectives: Students will be able read and understand a station weather plot

Standards: Science Standards: ES4d Students know how to use weather maps and data to predict local weather and know how weather forecasts depend on many variables. ISTE: NETS-Students 3. Research and Information Fluency: Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. B. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. Materials: Laptops, internet connection, station weather plot picture Websites: Satellite Meteorology http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/satmet/modules/7_weather_forecast/wf-5.html#exercise7 Classroom Collaborative: http://www.collaborizeclassroom.com/ Jing: http://www.techsmith.com/download/jing/ Instructional Directions: 1. Explain to students that the last two days they learned about several different types of weather maps and that it helps meteorologists see the big picture. Tell students that meteorologists must take a close look at weather data in more detail by using a station weather plot. Show students a station weather plot (see below). Explain the diagram and how the different weather conditions are displayed (see below). 2. Ask students to visit Satellite Meteorology and read Weather Forecasting. After they read, ask them to practice decoding station weather plots (at bottom of page) like real meteorologists. Tell them to take a snapshot with jing (jing is already downloaded on their computers) after they have decoded the station weather plot. Ask them to upload to Collaborative Classroom and give a brief narrative.