Fourth Grade Science Lesson Plan NATIONAL STANDARDS Levels K-4- Earth Space Science Standards Properties of earth materials Objects in the sky Changes in the earth and sky Georgia Performance Standards S4E3 Students will demonstrate the states of water and how they relate to the water cycle and weather. c) Investigate how clouds are formed. Local Standards Same as Georgia Performance Standards Essential Content: Students will be able to identify the characteristics of Cumulus clouds, Cirrus clouds, and Stratus clouds. STEM STANDARDS 4T3. Research and Information Fluency Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media. In small and large group settings: 4T3b1. Students will use appropriate digital reference tools to locate information.

4 Th Grade Science

* You will need * A mason jar with water * Shaving cream * Food coloring

Once you have been divided up into your groups, we will begin our cloud jar activation. This is a very fun activation tool that can be used to grasp the attention of your students in your class room. Plus, it is very cost effective! Materials include: Mason Jars (you could easily use clear plastic cups in your classrooms) Shaving Cream (I bought the cheapest brand they offer $1.24) Blue Food Coloring (A little bit goes a long way) Squeeze Bottles (Pack of 2 for $2)

Step 1: Shake shaving cream bottle well. Then add small amount to top of water in jar to form your cloud. Please do not put too much in your jar. Step 2: Take your pre-mixed squeeze bottle and begin adding drops of rain to the top of your cloud. After a few seconds you should begin to see rain falling from the cloud. Materials pictured above

* Do you know how clouds are formed? * Do you know the difference between stratus, cumulus, and cirrus clouds? * Please fill out your KWL or KWHL charts indicating what you know and want to know about these two questions.

Clouds are formed in cool air high above the earth’s surface. Each cloud is made up of tiny of billions and billions of water droplets of water and ice crystals. Air is lifted up into the sky, molecules of water slow down and condenses into ice and drops of water. Clouds give clues about the weather. This forms what we see as clouds.

* Clouds can form nearly anywhere- just a few feet off of the ground to over ten miles up into the atmosphere. * Clouds often appear as solid as mountains, however, they are as light as smoke. * Clouds drift and shift so they stretch across the sky. * The wind pushes the clouds and transforms their shape. * Clouds form into various shapes and sizes.

* Over 200 years ago, Luke Howard, an Englishman, named the different kinds of clouds. He became known as, “The Godfather of Clouds,” due to his love for them. * Fog is a cloud that is close to the ground. In fact, if you ever flown through clouds in an airplane, you had a glimpse of a cloud up close! * The wind causes the clouds to move faster on a breezy day. If you watch the clouds closely, you can tell which way the wind is blowing.

* White, puffy clouds * Look like cotton balls floating in the sky * Typically have sunny weather * Approximately 1 mile above Earth’s surface * Grow as they gather more water Yahoo Images

* Feather-like clouds * Latin meaning “curl of hair” * Weather is usually sunny & nice * Typically a sign that the weather is changing in the next hours * 6 miles above Earth’s surface * Made up of ice crystals * Shaped by the wind Yahoo Images

* Lowest cloud in the sky * Some form thick grey blanket that produce drizzle, light rain, or snow * Weather is usually overcast * Thin layer that sometimes look transparent * Can be a sign of heavy rain or snow * Fog is a status cloud Yahoo images

* You will now be numbered off 1-3. * 1’s will become scientific experts regarding the Stratus clouds. * 2’s will become scientific experts regarding the Cumulus clouds. * 3’s will become scientific experts regarding the Cirrus clouds. * You may either use books that have been provided, your own learning device, or the computer lab to conduct your scientific research.

We will assign each of you a group number Each group will have minutes to research an assigned cloud and record your findings in a graphic organizer or a science journal.

Return to original group and report your findings. What did you learn?