Clouds & Weather, a Webquest Created by Mr. Kyle Schutt Pine Forge Elementary Boyertown Area School District

Clouds & Weather2  PAGES 3-6: Introduction to the Problem/Task Introduction to the Problem/TaskIntroduction to the Problem/Task  Remember  Think  Ask Yourself  Problem/Pathway  PAGES 7-16: The Path to Discovery The Path to DiscoveryThe Path to Discovery  Steps 1-10  PAGE 17-18: Problem Resolution Problem ResolutionProblem Resolution  PAGE 19: Problem Debriefing Problem DebriefingProblem Debriefing  PAGE 20: References References Table of Contents

Clouds & Weather3  REMEMBER:  Weather is used to describe the conditions in the atmosphere at a certain place and time.  Clear, cold, rainy, snowy, and warm are all words used to describe the weather when we look outside. What is the weather right now?  Clouds have a significant role in the weather because their existence or absence determines the likelihood that specific weather patterns will occur.  What are some weather patterns that you know? Introduction to the Problem/Task:

Clouds & Weather4  THINK:  Where do you learn and hear about the weather? How do you know the appropriate clothing to wear when you dress in the morning? Who do you look to for advice? It doesn’t look like wearing a swimsuit would be a good idea here, does it? Introduction to the Problem/Task:

Clouds & Weather5  ASK YOURSELF:  What if these people or places were not around one day, or did not exist? What if you wanted to go camping? How could you create a plan to live comfortably outside for an entire day? What about an entire weekend? How do people prepare to go skiing in weather like this? Introduction to the Problem/Task:

Clouds & Weather6  PROBLEM:  Temperature and movement of air can be observed and measured to determine the effects on cloud formation and precipitation.  By knowing this and conducting your own research, YOUR MISSION is to follow the activities on each slide in order to become a classroom weather forecaster!  PATHWAY:  Along the way you will come across a lot of information. Make sure to answer all questions given. Do not be too anxious to write down everything you see. Rather, synthesize the important information as you read in order to stay on track and create your own classroom weather forecast. Good Luck!  Print out the Cloud Data Organizer to help you organize your learning. Cloud Data OrganizerCloud Data Organizer Introduction to the Problem/Task: TIP! Wally the Weather Forecaster reminds you to keep notes, graphs, and other information on the Cloud Data Organizer!

Clouds & Weather7  DO:  Every time that you begin working on this project, take 3 minutes to quickly sketch what the clouds look like outside.  Get a piece of blank, white paper.  Fold the paper in half like a hotdog, and then half again so that there are 4 squares on each side  Go to the window and take a look at the clouds  Write the date and time in a new box each day that you do this  An example is on the following website  After you have reviewed the cloud types, write down the name of the clouds you observed in each box Step 1 The Path to Discovery:

Clouds & Weather8  REFRESH:  Remember some of your favorite weather songs by going to the following link:   How in the world do clouds form? (click on the link below)   Cloud Types (click on the link below)   Play the Matching Cloud Matching Game! (at the bottom of the page)  LEARN:  Read about the man who named the clouds: Luke Howard ( )  The Path to Discovery: Step 2

Clouds & Weather9  DO:  Review the table to the right to see the Cloud Types organized by height  For pictures of each group, click on the link  What does precipitation have to do with clouds? How are they related?  Write your answer or at least make a prediction on your Cloud Data Organizer Cloud Data OrganizerCloud Data Organizer The Path to Discovery: Step 3 Cloud Group / Cloud Height Cloud Types Cloud Types High Clouds High Clouds 5,000-13,000m High Clouds Cirrus, Cirrocumulus, Cirrostratus Middle Clouds Middle Clouds 2,000-7,000m Middle Clouds Altocumulus, Altostratus Low Clouds Low Clouds Surface-2,000m Low Clouds Stratus, Stratocumulus, Nimbostratus Clouds with Vertical Growth Clouds with Vertical Growth Surface-13,000m Clouds with Vertical Growth Cumulus, Cumulonimbus Contrails Contrails 5,000-13,000m Contrailscontrails

Clouds & Weather10  DO:  See real life photographs of clouds. Notice how clouds look during thunderstorms, when it is raining, at sunset and around some neat landscapes.  e99b2382e63f70ce2620fae e99b2382e63f70ce2620fae e99b2382e63f70ce2620fae  What is your favorite picture from this site? How would you describe the cloud formation in that picture? Print out an example and paste it in your Cloud Data Organizer. Cloud Data OrganizerCloud Data Organizer The Path to Discovery: Step 4

Clouds & Weather11  DO:  Think about clouds from a different point of view…that of an airline pilot!   Why do you think it is so important that people, such as pilots, are aware of clouds and weather conditions? Can you think of other jobs where being able to recognize cloud and weather conditions would be important? The Path to Discovery: Step 5

Clouds & Weather12  DO:  Check your understanding by reviewing the notes here:   See how much you learned by quizzing yourself!   Please record this score in the top right corner of the second page of your Cloud Data Organizer…BE HONEST! Cloud Data OrganizerCloud Data Organizer  How can you apply what you have learned about clouds to other weather related topics like atmosphere, seasons and climate? (Keep going to find out!) Problem Resolution: Step 6

Clouds & Weather13  DO:  What kind of weather have you seen before?  Follow the link to see pictures and examples of all of the different types of precipitation  des/mtr/cld/prcp/home.rxml des/mtr/cld/prcp/home.rxml des/mtr/cld/prcp/home.rxml  What type of cloud does lightning come from?  Find out more about lightning, then click on The Lightning Mission!  _fla.php _fla.php _fla.php The Path to Discovery: Step 7

Clouds & Weather14  DO:  What happens when one of these events occurs near your home?  Choose a story that interests you.   Write a response to the author (minimum 1 paragraph):  How would you feel if you were there?  How does the wind effect the weather?  Find out more about the wind, then click on Prof. XYZ’s Grand Tour Mission!  The Path to Discovery: Step 8

Clouds & Weather15  DO:  Have you ever wanted to do what the forecasters on TV do?  See what it’s like to Report and Predict the weather! This interactive site is tons of fun…..and when you’ve had enough, remember to go to the next slide.  The Path to Discovery: Step 9 Do weather forecasters (meteorologists) have to know geography in order to predict the weather? What is this a map of?

Clouds & Weather16  DO:  Check your understanding by reviewing the notes here:   See how much you learned by quizzing yourself!   Please record this score in the top right corner of the second page of your Cloud Data Organizer…BE HONEST! Cloud Data OrganizerCloud Data Organizer The Path to Discovery: Step 10

Clouds & Weather17  DO:  Take a look at one of the following weather websites. These are places that millions of Americans check every single day to make decisions about clothing, activities, and more.     THINK  How do you see yourself using these websites in the future? Problem Resolution:

Clouds & Weather18  DO:  Reread and Synthesize all of the information that you have gathered in your Cloud Data Organizer. Take this information along with data from current outside weather conditions, and create a weather forecast for the next 24 hours. Forecasts must include at least 5 key vocabulary terms (temperature, precipitation, atmosphere, the different cloud types, etc).  Make sure to type this report. Once completed, your job is to transform into a weather forecaster and present your information to the class. For example you may want to put on the raincoat and hold the umbrella from the props in class to use as you give your report.  If you need more information still, take a look at the following links:   Maybe one day we’ll see you on TV! Problem Resolution:

Clouds & Weather19  THINK  How would you apply what you have learned in this lesson to your own life? Can you think of a time when knowing what the cloud conditions mean would have been useful to you?  Write down these ideas in your Cloud Data Organizer. Next, write the grade that you feel you should receive upon completion of this Webquest. Justify your answer with the amount of work you have, the amount of time you spent, etc. Please take all of your research information and visit Mr. Schutt to discuss these questions. Great Job! Problem Debriefing:

Clouds & Weather20             References