*Pick Three Projects/Assignments That Make a Tick-Tack-Toe

NAME ______HOUR ______

QuickTim e™ and a decom pres sor are needed to s ee this picture.

Choose three projects/assignments from the grid on the back of this page. Your choices must make a row, column or diagonal of three in a row, like a tick-tack-toe. There are individual instruction sheets for each project/assignment. The three you choose will be scored and become part of your grade for our unit on weather and climate. The deadline for all work to be completed is ______.

If you begin a project/assignment and decide it is not a good fit for you, you may change your choices so long as 1) Your choices are a tick-tack-toe and 2) All work is completed on time. Work submitted after the above date will receive a late score (automatic 40% taken off). Please schedule your time accordingly. There will be some time for working on the assignments in class, but the majority of the work will need to be completed by you on your own. We will continue to have daily lessons in our unit.

There are several print resources that are available in the classroom, but you are also allowed to use online references if you so choose. Be sure to read instructions for all projects/assignments carefully. This is the only way you can be sure you are doing all that is expected of you and earning the best grade you can.

Please see me if you have any questions or need my assistance with an assignment.

Mrs. Wood NAME ______HOUR ______

Contact a meteorologist Weather favorites Weather Journal & Mini-Ad

Weather Poem Weather Puzzles Weather Instrument

Cloud Map Children’s Story Storm Safety Mini- Poster

*PICK THREE PROJECTS/ASSIGNMENTS THAT MAKE A TICK-TACK-TOE NAME ______HOUR ______

CONTACT A METEOROLOGIST

What does a meteorologist do? What does a person have to do to become a meteorologist? Write an email (or letter) to a local meteorologist to find out. Use the information you receive to create an advertisement!

Choose a meteorologist from the list below. Send them an email/letter asking for the information above and any other questions you feel are necessary to learn more about them and their job. Turn in a copy of your communications, including their response. If you choose to send a letter, make sure to photocopy it before you send it. Print all emails.

23 WIFR http://www.wifr.com/weather Mark Henderson- Chief Meteorologist 2523 N. Meridian Road Rockford, IL 61101 [email protected]

WTVO Channel 17 / WQRF http://mystateline.com/weather/myweather Ty Shesky- Chief Meteorologist 1917 N. Meridian Road Rockford, IL 61101

WHBF http://www.whbf.com/Global/category.asp?C=5137 Andy McCray- Chief Meteorologist 231 18th Street Rock Island, IL 61201 [email protected]

KWQC http://www.kwqc.com/Global/category.asp?C=5149&nav=menu83_3 Ryan Burchett- Chief Meteorologist 805 Brady Street Davenport, IA 52803 [email protected] NAME ______HOUR ______

WEATHER FAVORITES

Complete the following statement using weather terms:

“I think ______is/are better than ______.”

Give 3 reasons to support your choice.

Do this three times, using different terms for each statement. Refer to your vocabulary list or the text (Chapter 2) for qualifying terms (bold print, italicized). Submit your responses on a piece of notebook paper or typed with your name and the heading “Weather Favorites” at the top.

Here is a sample of how your assignment should look.

Weather Favorites By: (your name)

I think anticyclones are better than cyclones.

Reasons: 1. 2. 3.

I think ______is better than ______. Reasons: 1. 2. 3. NAME ______HOUR ______

WEATHER JOURNAL

Keep a weather journal for 5 days. Collect data on the following variables:  Date/Time  Pressure  Temperature  Humidity  Precipitation  Clouds/Sky Condition  Wind Speed & Direction

Your entries should include information for all the variables with the date and time you took the information noted for each entry. You may use weather instruments you have at home, personal observations and information collected and stored in a database (i.e. online). It is up to you how you’d like to submit your information. Your options are as a written entry like a writing journal, or as a data table showing all the information together. Don’t forget labels for your measurements! Submit your work on a piece of notebook paper or typed. NAME ______HOUR ______

WEATHER POEM

Write a poem(s) using the following terms: rain, snow, sleet, hail.

You have two options:

Option 1 Your poem must be 8 lines minimum. It should follow a repeating pattern, such as ABAB CDCD …

Option 2 Write a set of acrostic poems for the four words. Acrostic poems use the letters of the theme as the first letter in each line. Each line will consist of two or more words, but do not have to form a complete sentence. You will end up with a total four mini-poems on the page. For example, an acrostic poem for the word rain would look like this:

R______A______I ______N______

Submit your poem(s) on piece of notebook paper or type and print them. NAME ______HOUR ______

WEATHER PUZZLES

Complete the “Storms: What am I?” mystery word puzzle and “Storms and Fronts” crossword puzzle.

These may not be as simple as they first appear. You will need to read the clues carefully and do some investigating. Some of the terms can be found in your text (Chapter 2). You will need to reference other sources for several of the clues’ answers. You may find some of the books in the classroom library helpful. NAME ______HOUR ______

WEATHER INSTRUMENT

Choose one weather instrument from the selections below. Make the instrument by following the directions provided.

Use the instrument to collect weather data and make a data chart to record your measurements for 1 week (5 days minimum). You will submit your weather instrument and your data table.

See Mrs. Wood for any supplies you may need or help with assembly. NAME ______HOUR ______

Make an Anemometer

A. Materials o 4 small paper cups o 4 plastic drinking straws o tape o scissors o straight pin o pencil with a new eraser o stapler

B. Procedure

1. This anemometer has four cups which catch the wind and cause the anemometer to spin. The inward curve of the cups receives most of the force of the wind. That's what makes the cups move. The more spins per minute, the greater the wind velocity. 2. Arrange four (4) plastic drinking straws to form a cross and tape them together at the center. 3. Staple the top side of one drinking cup, such as the small paper cups designed for bathroom dispensers, to the end of each straw, so the open ends of the cups all face the same direction. 4. Push a straight pin through the center of the straws into an eraser on the end of a pencil. This provides the axle. 5. Mark one of the cups; this will be the one they use for counting when the anemometer spins. NOTE: When using this anemometer, 10 turns per minute means the wind speed is about one mile per hour. If possible, it would very useful to use a commercial anemometer to determine an approximate determination. For example, "when our anemometer read 20 spins a minute, the commercial anemometer read 2 miles per hour." 6. Blow on the anemometer or turn an electric fan on low to make sure that it spins easily.

See the reverse side for using the anemometer and data collection. NAME ______HOUR ______

Use an Anemometer to measure Wind Speed

A. Materials  Anemometer (reverse side)

B. Procedure

1. You will need the assistance of a time keeper who will be responsible for timing one minute for each trial. o Hold the anemometer while the spins are counted; the holder should make sure that he holds the anemometer so that the wind is unobstructed. 2. Mount or hold the anemometer in a place that has full access to the wind from all directions. The location should be outdoors, away from buildings. 3. When the time keeper says "Go", the counter in each group will count how many times the marked cup passes them in one minute and write it down. 4. Repeat the above step four (4) times and record the average number of spins for that day/time. 5. Repeat steps 2-4 for a total of 5 days, recording all trials in the data table. 6. Calculate the average wind speed (spins/min.) for each day and record this in the final column of the data table.

Average Date, Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Trial 4 Trial 5 Speed Time (spins/min.) 1.

5. NAME ______HOUR ______

A. Materials o wide-mouthed glass jar or small coffee can o balloon (recommended) or plastic wrap o rubber band o scissors o drinking straw o cardboard strip/ file folder o glue (recommended) or tape o ruler and pen or pencil o small piece of modeling clay

o shoe-box sized cardboard box B. Procedure

1. Cut the narrow opening of the balloon off. At this time you will also press one end of the straw into a lump of clay so as to create a plug about ½” – 1” deep into the straw. 2. Cover the top of the jar with the balloon so that it is airtight and use the rubber band to hold it in place. IMPORTANT: the seal should be airtight (If you are using plastic wrap, it should make an airtight seal around the rim of the jar). 3. Place a small amount of glue in the middle of the balloon and carefully place the side of the open end of the straw on the glue so that the plugged end extends over the edge of the jar.

4. While the glue is drying, fold a piece of cardboard/file folder (see photo) so that it can stand on its own.

5. Carefully, mark lines 0.5 cm apart and write "Low Pressure" at the bottom and "High Pressure" at the top.

6. Once completed, place the barometer and the scale in the shoe-box sized cardboard box so that the end of the straw with the clay just reaches without touching the scale. Tape both the barometer and the scale into place so they cannot move. C. How does this measure air pressure? High pressure will make the balloon seal dip causing the straw go up. Low pressure will make the balloon puff up causing the straw to go down.

Use a Barometer to measure Air Pressure NAME ______HOUR ______

A. Materials A. Barometer (reverse side)

B. Procedure 1. Place the completed barometer and scale in a shaded location free from temperature changes (i.e. not near a window as sunlight will adversely affect the barometer's results). This location can be indoors (recommended). 2. In the table below, record the current date, time, the weather conditions, and air pressure (i.e. the level where the end of the straw measures on the scale). 3. Continue checking the barometer twice a day (if possible) each day over a period of one week (5 days minimum). A sample entry has been done for you.

Barometer Data Table Date Time Weather Conditions Air Pressure

June 4, 2010 9:30 a.m. Clear & sunny 4 2:30 p.m. Cloudy 3

Make a Rain Gauge

A. Materials o Clear plastic ruler o Cylinder shaped clear jar (e.g. an olive jar) NAME ______HOUR ______

o Rubber band o Funnel o Transparent tape

B. Procedure

1. Remove the jar's label. 2. Attach the ruler to the outside of the jar with the rubber band; make sure that the bottom edge of the ruler is even with the bottom of the jar. Or secure the ruler inside the jar so it is standing vertically with the end at the base of the jar/bottle. Tape the ruler in place so the numbers can be read from the outside of the jar/bottle. Note: As an alternative to a ruler, you can use a permanent marker to mark the inches/centimeters on clear tape affixed vertically to the outside of the jar/bottle beginning at the base to the outside of the jar/bottle. Cover the marks with a second piece of clear waterproof tape. 3. Place the funnel in the top of the jar. The top end of the funnel should cover the entire mouth of the jar. 4. If you would like, you can practice filling the jar with water and measuring the total amount.

Use a Rain Gauge to measure Precipitation

A. Materials  Rain Gauge (above)

B. Procedure 1. Put the jar out in the rain. Note: the rain gauge should not be put near or under trees or too close to buildings which may block the rain. 2. Read the ruler to determine how much rain was collected. Readings should be taken at around the same time each day, so plan accordingly. 3. Collect data on precipitation for at least 1 week (5 days minimum). Empty the jar after each use. A sample entry has been done for you.

Rain Gauge Data Collection Date Location of gauge Amount of rain (cm)

June 4, 2010 North side of home. 0.5 cm NAME ______HOUR ______NAME ______HOUR ______

CLOUD MIND MAP

Develop a Mind Map to illustrate the three different types of clouds: cumulus, cirrus, and stratus.

What is a Mind Map?

*A Mind Map is a way to organize information on a concept with the use of words and pictures.

How do you make a Mind Map? *Write the concept (Clouds) as the central idea. Put your name (by line) under the main idea in the center.

*There is no limit to how man branches you can make, but the requirements for this assignment is three (3) main branches with any number of smaller branches off of each of those.

*Make the Mind Map on a sheet of white copy paper. It should be in landscape format (sideways) and fill as much of the page as possible. Adjust your writing and drawing to accommodate this.

There is a sample and some instructions to help you on the back of this page. NAME ______HOUR ______

Making a Mind Map is fun. Just remember these six easy steps: 1. Grab a blank piece of PAPER, turn it sideways (landscape). 2. In the centre, quickly sketch an IMAGE (no bigger than your fist) of your MAIN TOPIC. 3. Use at least 3 COLOURS, for emphasis, structure, texture, creativity.

4. Draw some thick curved connected lines coming away from the picture, one for each of the main ideas you have.

5. Name each of these ideas and, if you want, draw a little picture – this uses both sides of your brain. Words are underlined throughout. This is because they are key WORDS, and the underlining, as in normal notes, shows their importance.

6. From each of these ideas, you can draw other connected BRANCHES, spreading like the branches of a tree. Add your thoughts on each of these ideas. These additional branches represent the details. NAME ______HOUR ______

CHILDREN’S STORY

Write a children’s story about the weather during the fall in Illinois. You may refer to your text (Chapter 2) for helpful information pertaining to weather.

A written report of these findings on the topic must be presented in a children’s book format with pictures. Remember that a children’s book does not have a lot of information on each page and has a larger text than a textbook. This project may be typed or neatly handwritten.

These are the MUST HAVES for your assignment to be complete:  At least 4 terms used correctly pertaining to the topic and written in simple children’s form  Cover with a title, author name and illustration(s)  Eight pages minimum, not including the covers

Remember, neatness counts! Books that are illegible will not be published (graded).

See Mrs. Wood for a booklet in which to transpose your final product. NAME ______HOUR ______

STORM SAFETY MINI-POSTER

Create a storm safety poster to educate people about one of the following severe weather topics for our area: o Lightning o Thunderstorms o Blizzards o Tornadoes o Flash Flooding

The mini-poster should be made using 11” x 14” paper (provided by Mrs. Wood). It should clearly state, in LARGE print, the topic of the poster near the top or in the center. Include at least 5 facts about the severe weather event and at least 3 safety tips.

A good poster includes large, eye catching illustrations and is colorful.

Sample layout (yours can be different):

. Flash floods… (fact #1) . (fact #2) . (fact #3) . (fact #4) . (fact #5)

To remain safe during and after a flash flood, . (safety tip #1) . (safety tip #2) . (safety tip #3)