Forestry Suppliers Lesson Plan Weather Forestry Suppliers’ Meteorology F.I.E.L.D. Kit™ Fundamental Investigation of the Environment Leading to Discovery™ Study Kit Correlated to National Science Education Content Standards

If you’re interested in weather monitoring for Fields of Study: classroom activities, consider the Forestry • Earth Science Suppliers’ Meteorology F.I.E.L.D. Kit. Use the • Mathematics kit for the exercises outlined in this Lesson Plan, as well as other related activities (see “Further Studies” section for a few ideas). National Science Education This F.I.E.L.D. Kit is available exclusively from Content Standards Correlation Forestry Suppliers and includes some of the Grades A B C D E F G items used in this lesson plan. All kit items K-4 3 3 3 3 may also be purchased individually. Call our 5-8 3 3 3 3 3 Sales Department at 1-800-647-5368 or visit 9-12 3 3 3 us on the web at www.forestry-suppliers.com.

Meteorology Kit Contents Stock Number 36848 Required For This Lesson Plan Qty. Description K-4 5-8 9-12 Stock Number 1 Sling Psychrometer 3 3 3 89248 20°F to 120°F in 1° divisions, Red Liquid 1 Dwyer Hand-Held Wind Meter – English Model 3 3 3 89001 1 Silva Starter 1-2-3 Baseplate Compass, 3 3 3 37064 Azimuth (0-360°) 1 Max/Min Dial Thermometer 3 3 3 89126 1 Tru-Chek Direct-Reading Rain Gauge 3 3 3 89011 1 Snow Gauge – measures up to 30˝ in 1/2˝ graduations 3 3 3 88984 1 The National Audubon Society Weather Field Guide 3 3 3 61311 1 GLOBE Cloud Chart 33485 1 Dial Barometer – 940-1070 millibars, 700-803 millimeters 43314

Meteorology 1 Grades K-4

Background Procedure Further Studies One of the first questions many people ask is 1. Using the Atmosphere Chart and Audubon • Allow students to collect data for a longer “What is the weather going to be like today?” Weather Guide, discuss various meteoro- period of time and make accuracy compari- Sunny, cool days with just a little breeze tend logical concepts with your students such sons with local forecasts. to make us a little more agreeable. Although as high and low pressure areas, frontal sys- • Direct students to research the following too much wind or rain is just as unwelcome tems, cloud types, global atmospheric influ- weather or weather-related topics by using as too little, extreme weather conditions such ences, storm systems, etc. Also, have your the school or public library: tornado forma- as a thunderstorm or a tornado can frighten students watch local television meteorolo- tion, hurricane formation, cloud type, ocean us. These types of weather systems can gists and read the local newspaper weather warming, ozone depletion. cause a lot of damage to property and to sections. In teaching younger students, you • Involve the class in recording data to be people. Being aware of atmospheric condi- will need to watch newscasts and read the submitted to a local participating news sta- tions or “what the weather is going to be” local newspapers to collect data or use tion. is important to our daily lives. We certainly class time to do so. Rubric want to know what Saturday’s weather will be 2. Begin by introducing and demonstrating before we plan a family outing; but even more each of the weather instruments found in • Students should be able to identify common importantly, aircraft pilots and boat captains the F.I.E.L.D. Kit. Explain to your students weather monitoring instrumentation. must be keenly aware of approaching storm how each instrument plays an important • Students should know basic meteorological systems in taking precaution against physi- role in accurately measuring the major concepts. cal harm to passengers and damage to their parameters of weather phenomenon. The vessels. • Students should be able to demonstrate the Sling Psychrometer is used to measure use of one weather monitoring instrumenta- Understanding the factors, which influence humidity, the wind meter (anemometer) is tion. weather and weather patterns, are globally used to determine wind speed, the com- important. Scientists who study weather and pass is for determining wind direction, the Assessment attempt to make accurate predictions con- barometer measures barometric pressure, • Quiz students concerning various meteoro- cerning the weather are called meteorologists. the thermometer is for recording maximum logical concepts and the resulting impact on The information that meteorologists provide and minimum temperatures, the rain gauge their environment for us is used in so many important ways. is for measuring rainfall, and the snow • When given specific data, allow students Meteorologists monitor and measure weather gauge is for measuring snow fall. With to make predictions concerning what the conditions by using various instruments, such younger students, you will need to share weather might be within a specific area. as a barometer to measure barometric pres- age appropriate information with them con- • Have students correlate instruments with sure, a wind meter (anemometer) used to cerning the instrumentation; even younger what each measures. determine wind speed, a thermometer used students should be able to understand the These lesson plans are provided for the benefit of to measure temperature, a psychrometer basic concepts by which these instruments science educators and can be freely downloaded used to measure humidity and gauges to work. from our web site at www.forestry-suppliers.com. measure snow or rainfall. Weather news is 3. Once the students have been shown how If you have an idea or other suggestions for future important to farmers, scientists, airport staff lesson plans, we’d like to hear from you! Send an e- each instrument works, let them practice mail to [email protected]. and the rest of the human population. It may using each instrument before you begin the be sunny outside, but it is probably raining data collection activities. Content Standards Covered somewhere! When you complete this activity, 4. When you feel the students are ready, A Science as inquiry you will be more experienced in measuring give each student a weather data-collect- • Abilities necessary to do scientific and predicting weather. ing chart to be used each day for three to inquiry four weeks, or collect this data as a class. • Understanding about scientific inquiry During this data collecting time, have your D Earth and Space Science students also observe the weather fore- • Objects in the sky casting being done on the local level. See • Changes in earth and sky if your students can determine if recorded E Science and Technology data corresponds with the weather that • Understandings about science and occurs in the future. technology 5. Once students become comfortable with G History and Nature of Science this concept, they should be able to fore- • Science as a human endeavor cast the weather with a limited form of Additional Materials accuracy. The following items are required to complete all the activities in this lesson plan. Supplied by Teacher/Student(s) • Data Collection Sheet

Meteorology 2 Grades 5-8

Background Procedure Rubric One of the first questions many people ask is 1. Using the Atmosphere Chart and Audubon • Students should be familiar with meteoro- “What is the weather going to be like today?” Weather Guide, discuss various meteoro- logical terms. Sunny, cool days with just a little breeze tend logical concepts with your students such • Students should be able to predict weather to make us a little more agreeable. Although as high and low pressure areas, frontal conditions when given data. too much wind or rain is just as unwelcome systems, cloud types, global atmospheric • Students should be able to show proficiency as too little, extreme weather conditions such influences, storm systems, etc. Also, have when using weather instruments. as a thunderstorm or a tornado can frighten your students watch local television meteo- us. These types of weather systems can rologists and read the local newspaper Assessment cause a lot of damage to property and to weather sections. • Quiz students concerning the instrumenta- people. Being aware of atmospheric condi- 2. Begin by introducing and demonstrating tion used by meteorologists and what each tions or “what the weather is going to be” each of the weather instruments found in measures. is important to our daily lives. We certainly the F.I.E.L.D. Kit. Explain to your students • Have students compare and calculate the want to know what Saturday’s weather will be how each instrument plays an important accuracy of their predictions. before we plan a family outing; but even more role in accurately measuring the major • Have students name the common weather importantly, aircraft pilots and boat captains parameters of weather phenomenon. The must be keenly aware of approaching storm patterns and systems. Sling Psychrometer is used to measure These lesson plans are provided for the benefit of systems in taking precaution against physi- humidity, the wind meter (anemometer) is science educators and can be freely downloaded cal harm to passengers and damage to their used to determine wind speed, the com- from our web site at www.forestry-suppliers.com. vessels. pass is for determining wind direction, the If you have an idea or other suggestions for future Understanding the factors, which influence barometer measures barometric pressure, lesson plans, we’d like to hear from you! Send an e- mail to [email protected]. weather and weather patterns, are globally the thermometer is for recording maximum important. Weather has a great impact on and minimum temperatures, the rain gauge Content Standards Covered agriculture as well as business endeavors. is for measuring rainfall, and the snow A Science as inquiry Crops must have the needed amount of light gauge is for measuring snow fall. • Abilities necessary to do and moisture; this is dictated by the prevailing 3. Once the students have been shown how scientific inquiry weather in that particular region. Scientists each instrument works, let them practice • Understanding about who study weather and attempt to make using each instrument before you begin the scientific inquiry accurate predictions concerning the weather data collection activities. D Earth and Space Science are called meteorologists. The information that 4. When you feel the students are ready, • Structure of the earth system meteorologists provide for us is used in so give each student a weather data-collect- E Science and Technology many important ways. Meteorologists moni- ing chart to be used each day for three tor and measure weather conditions by using • Abilities of technological design to four weeks. During this data collecting • Understandings about science various instruments, such as a barometer to time, have your students also observe the measure barometric pressure, a wind meter and technology weather forecasting being done on the F Science in Personal and (anemometer) used to determine wind speed, local level. See if your students can deter- a thermometer used to measure temperature, Social Perspectives mine if recorded data corresponds with the • Science and technology in society a psychrometer used to measure humid- weather that occurs in the future. ity and gauges to measure snow or rainfall. G History and Nature of Science Weather patterns are somewhat predictable 5. Once students become comfortable • Science as a human endeavor with this concept, they should be able to which enables humans to make important Additional Materials changes in location plans or other weather- forecast the weather with some form of related decisions. Weather news is important accuracy. The following items are required to farmers, scientists, airport staff and the Further Studies to complete all the activities in this rest of the human population. It may be sunny lesson plan. • Students will make predictions over a more Supplied by Teacher/Student(s) outside, but it is probably raining somewhere! extended period of time concerning the When you complete this activity, you will be weather using their collected data and com- • Data Collection Sheet more experienced in measuring and predict- pare with the forecasts given by the local ing weather and may be considered an ama- meteorologist. teur meteorologist. • Students will research information concern- ing weather systems and patterns using the public or school library. • Students may research the job description of a meteorologist or the teacher may invite a meteorologist as a guest lecturer.

Meteorology 3 Grades 9-12

Background Procedure Rubric One of the first questions many people ask is 1. Using the Atmosphere Chart and Audubon • Students should be familiar with meteoro- “What is the weather going to be like today?” Weather Guide, discuss various meteoro- logical terms. Sunny, cool days with just a little breeze tend logical concepts with your students such • Students should be able to make limited to make us a little more agreeable. Although as high and low pressure areas, frontal weather predictions. too much wind or rain is just as unwelcome systems, cloud types, global atmospheric • Students should show proficiency in using as too little, extreme weather conditions such influences, storm systems, etc. Also, have weather instruments. as a thunderstorm or a tornado can frighten your students watch local television meteo- us. These types of weather systems can rologists and read the local newspaper Assessment cause a lot of damage to property and to weather sections. • Quiz students concerning meteorological people. Being aware of atmospheric condi- 2. Begin by introducing and demonstrating concepts and instrumentation. tions or “what the weather is going to be” each of the weather instruments found in • Have students determine percent error of is important to our daily lives. We certainly the F.I.E.L.D. Kit. Explain to your students their measurements when they compare want to know what Saturday’s weather will be how each instrument plays an important their predictions of possible numerical data before we plan a family outing; but even more role in accurately measuring the major with the actual numerical conditions, pos- importantly, aircraft pilots and boat captains parameters of weather phenomenon. The sibly predicted temperature or barometric must be keenly aware of approaching storm Sling Psychrometer is used to measure changes. systems in taking precaution against physi- humidity, the wind meter (anemometer) is These lesson plans are provided for the benefit of cal harm to passengers and damage to their used to determine wind speed, the com- science educators and can be freely downloaded vessels. pass is for determining wind direction, the from our web site at www.forestry-suppliers.com. If you have an idea or other suggestions for future Understanding the factors, which influence barometer measures barometric pressure, lesson plans, we’d like to hear from you! Send an e- weather and weather patterns, are globally the thermometer is for recording maximum mail to [email protected]. important. Weather has a great impact on and minimum temperatures, the rain gauge Content Standards Covered agriculture as well as business endeavors. is for measuring rainfall, and the snow Crops must have the needed amount of light gauge is for measuring snow fall. A Science as inquiry and moisture; this is dictated by the prevailing 3. Once the students have been shown how • Abilities necessary to do scientific weather in that particular region. Scientists each instrument works, let them practice inquiry who study weather and attempt to make using each instrument before you begin the • Understanding about scientific inquiry accurate predictions concerning the weather data collection activities. E Science and Technology are called meteorologists. The information that 4. When you feel the students are ready, • Abilities of technological design meteorologists provide for us is used in so give each student a weather data-collect- • Understandings about science and many important ways. Meteorologists moni- ing chart to be used each day for three technology tor and measure weather conditions by using to four weeks. During this data collecting F Science in Personal and Social various instruments, such as a barometer to time, have your students also observe the Perspectives measure barometric pressure, a wind meter weather forecasting being done on the • Science and technology in local, (anemometer) used to determine wind speed, local level. See if your students can deter- national and global challenges a thermometer used to measure temperature, mine if recorded data corresponds with the Additional Materials a psychrometer used to measure humid- weather that occurs in the future. ity and gauges to measure snow or rainfall. The following items are required to complete Weather patterns are somewhat predictable 5. Once students become comfortable all the activities in this lesson plan. which enables humans to make important with this concept, they should be able to Supplied by Teacher/Student(s) changes in location plans or other weather- forecast the weather with some form of • Data Collection Sheet related decisions. Weather news is important accuracy. to farmers, scientists, airport staff and the Further Studies rest of the human population. It may be sunny • Students will make forecasts over an outside, but it is probably raining somewhere! extended time period using knowledge When you complete this activity, you will be of meteorological concepts and data col- more experienced in measuring and predict- lected from implementing instrumentation ing weather and may be considered an ama- described in Procedure. teur meteorologist. • Students will research meteorological information including, but not limited to: hur- ricane formation, global weather patterns and drought. • Students may interview a meteorologist. • Students may complete research concern- ing collection of weather data by satellite.

Meteorology 4