EDEX 750
Weather Lesson
Dan Rachal

1. Target Audience: Middle School EMD/EH students.

2. Objectives:

A. Students will be able to discuss the weather conditions.

B. Students will be able to read thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, and wind direction and speed.

C. Students will be able to record observations of weather conditions.

D. Students will be able to enter information into data base on the computer.

E. Students will be able to sort data base information to answer student/teacher generated questions about the weather.

3. Materials Needed: Outdoor thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, wind gauge, access to Internet and either an Apple IIGS or IBM compatible computer. Software is available for either system.

4. Time Required: 2-3 weeks, depending on weather conditions, of science class. 15-20 minutes each day for data observation/gathering and computer input.

5. Instructional Procedures:

A. Preparation: Assemble and check out materials. Run some data through the computer data base to insure it is working.

B. Instruction:

1. Introduce the lesson, Weather Charting and Prediction using:

a. Observing the Weather Today (attachment A)(http://athena.wednet.edu/curric/weather/weather.html)

b. Weather Charting (attachment B)(http://athena.wednet.edu/curric/graphing/index.html)

2. Instruct the students on how to read a thermometer, rain gauge, barometer, and wind gauge. Introduce the use of a data base to keep and sort the information gathered.

3. Tell the students that you want them to generate questions about weather patterns and come up with a list of weather characteristics that would answer their questions.

4. Tell the students that they will be working in groups, and each group will have their own data base to enter data. The students with the best data base and final projections will get a reward/treat.

C. Guided Practice:

1. Show the students how information will be displayed; show tables and graphs.

2. Show the students how to log onto Internet for a daily weather report of Columbia, SC, and surrounding areas.

D. Closure:
1. Divide the class into small groups and have them develop a form for recording the needed information on the daily weather.

2. Have the groups, using their forms, start gathering data and inputing the information into the data bases.

6. Assessment of Each Objective:

A. Students' critical thinking skills are assessed by soliciting from them the questions about weather patterns and how to gather the data.

B. Students' ability to demonstrate an understanding of the use of data bases to gather data and sort that information to answer questions about the weather.

C. Students' production of reports and how they illustrate the data with tables and graphs.

D. Students' ability to log onto the Network (http://www.atmos.UIUC.edu/geosciences/instructional/atmossci/forecast.html).

7. Extension Activities: Invite a guest meteorologist from a local TV station to talk about weather and it's importance.





Sample Data Base Collection Form
Sun
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Sat
High Temp
71 F
70 F
59 F
53 F
53 F
48 F
48 F
Normal High
62 F
62 F
62 F
62 F
62 F
62 F
62 F
Record High
77 F
79 F
83 F
71 F
78 F
78 F
77 F
Low Temp
33 F
42 F
51 F
51 F
38 F
38 F
26 F
Normal Low
37 F
37 F
37 F
37 F
37 F
36 F
36 F
Record Low
16 F
16 F
20 F
17 F
17 F
15 F
16 F
Precipitation
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.43
0.0
0.5
Total for Month
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.43
0.43
0.93
Normal for Month
0.00
0.00
0.50
0.62
0.62
0.73
0.73
Wind Direction
NE
NE
E
N
NE
NE
NE
Wind Speed (mph)
5-10
5-10
5-10
10
10-15
10
10
Humidity (5 a.m.)
95
96
80
80
82
92
85
Pressure
30.07
30.15
30.01
30.13
30.10
30.1
29.9
Sunny,Cloudy,Rain
S
C/S
S/CR
C/S
C/R
C
C/R