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Weather Internet Activity |
Credits:
Steve Gandy
Mountain View Elementary
Broomfield, CO
steve@stevegandy.com
VITAL INFORMATION
Subject Matter:
Language Arts (English), Mathematics, Reading, Science, Technology
Grades:
3
Software Application:
Any Internet Browser:
Internet Explorer
Netscape
and
Any word processor:
StarOffice, AppleWorks, Microsoft Word
LESSON DESCRIPTION
Summary:
This is a comprehensive unit of study for 3rd grade weather science. There are 9 parts; they all integrate Internet skills with the science content. The parts are:
1. Making Bookmarks or Favorites
6. Clouds
7. Tornadoes
While the activities build on each other it is not necessary to do them all. Teachers may choose certain parts and not others after reviewing them and their students' needs.
Links:
1. Weather Internet Activity - http://mountain.adams12.org/InternetCenters/Weather/WEATHERactivityMenu.html
2. MVES Internet Activity Menu Page - http://mountain.adams12.org/InternetCenters/NetCenterMenu.html
This is a menu of all the Mountain View Internet Center Activities: USA Geography for 5th grade, Colorado History for 4th grade, Weather for 3rd grade, Picture Dictionary for 2nd grade, and Research for grades 2-5
State & National Standards:
CO- Colorado Academic Standards
« Subject : Mathematics
« Standard 3: Students use data collection and analysis, statistics, and probability in problem-solving situations and communicate the reasoning used in solving these problems.
Statistics are used to understand how information is processed and translated into usable knowledge. Through the study of statistics, students learn to collect, organize, and summarize information. Students also need to know how to interpret data and make decisions based on their interpretations. Probability is part of this standard because statistical data are often used to predict the likelihood of future events and outcomes. Students learn probability - the study of chance - so that numerical data can be used to predict future events as well as record the past. A command of statistics and probability is important in adult life.
« Grade/Level : Grades K-4
« Performance Indicator 3.1: Constructing, reading, and interpreting displays of data including tables, charts, pictographs, and bar graphs
Expectation by Grade or Topic : Third Grade« Subject : Science
« Standard 4: Earth and Space Science: Students know and understand the processes and interactions of Earthês systems and the structure and dynamics of Earth and other objects in space. (Focus: Geology, Meteorology, Astronomy, Oceanography)
« Key Idea 4.2: Students know and understand the general characteristics of the atmosphere and fundamental processes of weather
« Grade/Level : Grades K-4
Performance Indicator : recognizing that the Sun is a principal source of Earthês heat and light
Performance Indicator : recognizing how our daily activities are affected by the weather (for example, types of clothing, travel plans, recreational activity)
Performance Indicator : describing existing weather conditions by collecting and recording weather data (for example, temperature, precipitation, amount of cloud cover)« Subject : Reading and Writing
« Standard 2: Students write and speak for a variety of purposes and audiences
Writing and speaking are essential tools for learning, for success in the workplace, and for responsible citizenship. Developing a range of writing and speaking abilities requires extensive study, practice, and thinking. Students need frequent opportunities to write and speak for different audiences and purposes, and they need to be able to communicate expressively, informatively, and analytically. Growth in writing and speaking abilities occurs by applying skills to increasingly challenging communication tasks
« Grade/Level : Grades K-4
Performance Indicator : generating topics and developing ideas for a variety of writing and speaking purposes (for example, telling a story, publishing a class newsletter, writing a letter to an adult, writing or orally presenting a book report, creating and producing a play, introducing a speaker or an event, narrating a presentation);
Performance Indicator : organizing their speaking and writing
Performance Indicator : choosing vocabulary that communicates their messages clearly and precisely
Performance Indicator : revising and editing speech and writing
Performance Indicator : creating readable documents with legible handwriting or word processing at the appropriate time« Standard 3: Students write and speak using conventional grammar, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling
Students need to know and be able to use standard English. Proficiency in this standard plays an important role in how the writer or speaker is understood and perceived. All skills in this standard are reinforced and practiced at all grade levels and should be monitored by both the teacher and student to develop lifelong learning skills
« Grade/Level : Grades K-4
Performance Indicator : knowing and using subject/verb agreement
Performance Indicator : knowing and using correct modifiers
Performance Indicator : knowing and using correct capitalization, punctuation, and abbreviations
Performance Indicator : spelling frequently used
words correctly using phonics rules and exceptions
« Standard
5: Students read to locate, select, and make use of relevant
information from a variety of media, reference, and technological sources
In this age of information and technology, people need reading and information-retrieval skills that will enable them to access facts, images, and text from many sources. The sheer volume of data makes it necessary for information seekers to be able to wade through a maze of facts, figures, and images, and to identify what is useful and relevant. Knowing how to locate, evaluate, and make use of an ever-increasing amount of information demands a broader repertoire of reading strategies. This implies an expanded definition of literacy that includes reading for information in a technological age. Students need to become discerning consumers of information.
« Grade/Level : Grades K-4
Performance Indicator : using organizational features of printed text (for example, page numbering, alphabetizing, glossaries, chapter heading, tables of contents, indexes, captions);
Performance Indicator : recognizing organizational features of electronic information (for example, pull-down menus, icons, key word searches);
Performance Indicator : using organizational features to locate media or electronic information (for example, passwords, entry menu features, pull-down menus, icons, key word searches);
Performance Indicator : taking notes, outlining, and identifying main ideas in resource materials
Performance Indicator : sorting information as it relates to a specific topic or purpose
Performance Indicator : giving credit for borrowed information by telling or listing sources
Local Standards:
INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY CONTINUUM
Standard #3 Telecommunications: Students use telecommunications to retrieve and exchange information which supports and enhances District 12 curriculum frameworks.
3C Uses web-browsing software to access information sources using the Internet 3C.1 Uses teacher-selected Internet sites and/or links to retrieve information for classroom assignments
3C.2 Uses search strategies to locate information
3C.3 Saves and/or prints information from the Internet
3D Develops skills in analyzing the accuracy and credibility of information from electronic resources and cites those sources appropriately 3D.1 Distinguishes among sources of information (i.e. university, commercial and government sites)
3D.2 Recognizes the difference between content and advertisements on web pages
3D.3 Cites electronic sources correctly
3D.4 Evaluates the usefulness of information obtained using electronic resources
Lesson Outcomes:
Students will become familiar with weather science. They will learn meteorological vocabulary and have experiences that enhance their understanding of the earth and its weather.
Students will gain Internet research skills and have experiences that will aid their future use of the Internet as a source of information.
Students will have several science related writing opportunities.
Students will construct a graph using weather data.
Assessment:
Much of this lesson is experiential and not meant to be evaluated in any traditional way. Teacher participation in the process is important in this lesson. The teacher should be an active "guide" while the students are exploring the web sites and activities. Modeling the behaviors of discovery and problem solving are key to a successful experience. As the lesson progresses the teacher can then evaluate, on an individual basis, who is mastering the science and the Internet skills content.
However, there are parts that may get "graded". For example, parts 3,6, and 9 have the students answering specific questions or writing paragraphs. These answers could be evaluated for accuracy, spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. See the lesson plan: The Writing Process/Word Processing Skills for more on this.
Assessment/Rubrics:
none
CLASSROOM & TIME MANAGEMENT
Student Prerequisites:
Students need a signed district Internet Acceptable Use Policy on file.
Students should have participated in the Introduction to the Internet lesson plan.
Lesson Preparation:
Teachers should visit all linked sites from the Weather Activity web site to ensure that they are all still working.
Teachers may want to duplicate the worksheets in parts 3, 4, 6, 7, and 9.
Time Frame:
8 class periods. 45 Min. per class.
Implementation Steps:
Full directions for each of the Weather Activity parts are included online so none are needed here. Teachers should be familiar with those directions before leading their class into them as there may be certain details they would want to exclude or add.
Links:
1. Weather Internet Activity - http://mountain.adams12.org/InternetCenters/Weather/WEATHERactivityMenu.html
RESOURCES
Lesson Resources:
These are links to the worksheets and the Internet Activity. The file titled worksheet4.xls is a variation on directions given in part 4. Instead of having the students record data and construct a graph manually, a spreadsheet template document is used.
Attachments:
Links:
1. Weather Internet Activity - http://mountain.adams12.org/InternetCenters/Weather/WEATHERactivityMenu.html
STUDENT PRODUCT(S)
Product(s) Description:
Various, see the individual activities.
REFLECTION
Comments:
We have used this lesson successfully since 1998.
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Developed under a grant from Sun Microsystems, Inc. Open Gateways at Mountain View
Elementary School by Steve Gandy, Technology Coordinator - mountain.adams12.org/TISS
© 2003