Activities Students brainstorm and identify basic elements of weather such as temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind, and precipitation. Then they chart and write a description of the weather specific to an area. Students make and test weather instruments and record their findings. The weather instruments could be used in a classroom weather station. They discuss similarities and differences using concepts of heat, land and water masses, and geographical location.
Students use a model newspaper format to design their own weather reports.
Students research one weather disaster and produce a broadcast about it . They demonstrate their ability to apply scientific skills and processes when they use standard or original instruments to measure and predict local weather conditions. They could choose any weather condition and represent it to show that they understand its attributes, causes, measurement, and consequences. Representations might include simulations, demonstrations, and written or oral reports. Criteria could focus on accuracy, the extent to which the information is complete, precise, relevant, and clear.