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Dawn Roberts

Nov. 17, 1997

Grade Level: fifth grade

Concept: There are different types of clouds. Varying cloud types have distinguishing characteristics.

Objective: Students will create a picture that shows four different cloud types (Cirrus, stratus, cumulonimbus, and cumulus).

Teacher Materials: Spacious Skies, The Ultimate Visual Dictionary, Laser disc from Windows on Science (Earth Science Vol. 2), and an example of a "cloudscape"

Student Materials: 1 piece of blue construction paper per student

3-4 cotton balls per student

1 bottle of glue per 4 students

crayons

Teacher Background Information: See attached pages

Management Strategies: This lesson is intended to be an introduction to cloud types and is appropriate for large group (whole class) instruction. The complete lesson will take about 50 minutes. Cooperative group work is not required, but could be implemented at the teacher's discretion.

Procedure:

1. Begin the lesson by discussing the weather at the time. Ask probing questions like, "What is the difference between the weather today and the weather yesterday?" , "What kind of an effect do you think clouds have on weather?" or "What makes one cloud different from another?".
2. Show the students selected pictures from the book Spacious Skies and a series of pictures from the laser disc. Talk about what they are seeing by discussing the different characteristics of the clouds. Be sure to point out height (elevation), texture and color.
3. Introduce the four types of clouds with which the class will be working. These clouds are cirrus, stratus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus. Write the four names on the chalkboard and ask the class to describe each type (where it would be found, what it looks like, its color). While working on each name, use the corresponding picture from the laser disc. When the class is done listing characteristics, ask them to place the four different types of clouds in the appropriate spot on the cloudscape that you've created.
4. Explain to the students that they will be responsible for making a "cloudscape". They will be using construction paper, cotton balls, glue and crayons to create a scene that incorporates all four of the cloud types discussed. Their cloudscape must show the clouds in relation to ground level and the clouds should depict the attributes discussed by the class. Their scene should include buildings as well as the ground. They will have 15-20 minutes to complete this activity.
5. Bring the class back together as a whole by having the children present their cloudscapes to the class. Make sure that they explain what each cloud is and its relation to the horizon.

Assessment/Evaluation: One way to assess this lesson would be to use a creative writing experience. Each student should pick a cloud type and write about a typical day from the cloud's perspective. For example, a stratus cloud could talk about hanging around close to his friend the earth all day and watching the people run from place to place. The teacher would be looking for the distinguishing characteristics of the cloud types discussed in class. Another way to assess this lesson would be to go outside and have the students decide what clouds they see in the sky. This could be continued throughout the week with the students keeping a cloud journal. At the end of the week, compare their journals with your own.

Extension/Integration:

-have a cloud learning center set up in the classroom where students can learn about the other types of clouds

-show a video about hurricanes and tornados and discuss what types of weather are expected from each cloud type

Source: Laura Zinszer, Science Specialist for Columbia Public Schools

Dawn Roberts