Lesson Plan on Science

Name: David L Tetterton
Title: Clouds
Summary: Students will learn the basic cloud types and be able to measure, record weather patterns over a period of time.
Primary Core Objective: Science - 4th Grade   Standard 2 Students will understand that the elements of weather can be observed, measured, and recorded to make predictions and determine simple weather patterns.   Objective 1 Observe, measure, and record the basic elements of weather. a.         Identify basic cloud types (i.e., cumulus, cirrus, stratus clouds). b.         Observe, measure, and record data on the basic elements of weather over a period of time (i.e., precipitation, air temperature, wind speed and direction, and air pressure).
Materials Used by the Teacher:   ·       White/Chalkboard ·       Markers/Chalk ·       If not raining, go outside for observation ·       Handouts ·       Assessment sheets	Materials Used by the Students:   ·       Pencils ·       Paper ·       Science Book ·       Graph paper ·
Technologies Used by the Teacher:   ·       PC ·       Barometer ·       Thermometer ·       Overhead projection from PC	Technologies Used by the Students:   ·       PC ·       Barometer (shared in groups) ·       Thermometer (shared in groups)
Intended Learning Outcomes:   ·       Students will learn the different types of clouds: cumulus, cirrus, and stratus.  They will list what each looks like and their characteristics. ·       The students will prepare a graph for studying the patterns of weather and start graphing the changes in barometer and the temperature over a period of 4 weeks.
Instructional Procedures: Ask the students what are the different kinds of clouds.  Expect to get answers such as rain, snow, fluffy and etc.  Explain to students that there are many different kinds of clouds, but today we will learn about three (3) kinds. Show video clip. http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=96209&title=Clouds If the weather is suitable, take students outside so they can try to identify the different kinds of clouds in the sky.  Give each student a handout with a picture and characteristics of each of the three (3) different clouds. Take Laptop out with you with the barometer attached and after the identification process is completed, show the students what the barometer does and have them observe the changes on the screen.  Explain what is happening and what a barometer does.  Return to the classroom and show the students the manual barometer and the thermometer and explain the project for the next four (4) weeks. Show students on the board how to graph the weather changes, this will be an ongoing procedure throughout the next four (4) weeks).
Extensions: As students complete the graphing, have the fast finishers go to the computer and explain to you or to the aide in the class what is happening on the screen. Once they complete this, the fast finishers can have computer time until all the class has finished the graphing.
Assessment Plan:   Handout sheets with pictures of clouds and have students label each cloud with its name.  Then have them match the cloud name with the characteristics. Given the data: precipitation, temperature and air pressure (barometric reading) have students graph the weather pattern.