Name of Unit:

weather

Subject and Grade:

7th grade science

Invitation:

Would you like to have an understanding of what weather is, how it affects your life, and what causes weather patterns? This unit will examine the earth's atmosphere. We will look at the makeup and physics of the atmosphere. We will also see how clouds, humidity, and precipitation are all related. Last we will see how the earth's atmosphere causes weather pattern.

Situation:

The class will complete this unit within 25 class periods. We will be doing these activities in the classroom, science lab, computer lab, and outside.

Interactions:

Students will be working in pairs, groups, or on their own depending on what we are doing at the time.

Tasks:

We will begin the unit with a brainstorming session on how the earth's atmosphere affects their lives. List these things on the board. I will also do an activity with the kids to review matter, and show them that air is matter. With the aid of our computer teacher we will use the Internet to research the atmosphere, forces behind the weather, the water cycle, wind chill, condensation, reflectivity and absorption, and evaporation. We will also create a weather map. We will also read and discuss the lessons in the text. We will be using the "Weather Channel" program for the computer, and related topics on laser disc and video. With the aid of these sources we will cover air composition, oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle, the nitrogen cycle, air density and pressure, energy, atmospheric layers, origin of the atmosphere, greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, humidity, cloud types, forms of precipitation, air masses, ways to stay safe during storms, and strange facts about weather. We will also do 3 labs dealing with what happens to heated air, air pressure, and dew points.

Standards:

local and KS K 5 1

Assessment:

Lab reports, homework assignments, graphs, and tests.

Tools:

Internet, Books, computer discs, laser disc and player, VCR, Tissue paper, glue, and standard lab equipment.