| AIR
AND WEATHER MODULE MATRIX |
 |
SYNOPSIS |
SCIENCE
CONTENT |
THINKING
PROCESSES |
|
1. |
EXPLORING
AIR |
|
Students
explore properties of a common gas mixture, air. Using vials,
syringes, and tubing, students experience air as matter, discovering
that it takes up space and can be compressed and that compressed
air builds up pressure that can push objects around. They construct
and compare parachutes and balloon rockets that use air. |
•
Air is matter.
• Air takes up space.
• Air interacts with objects.
• Air resistance affects how things move.
• Air is all around objects.
• Air can be compressed.
• The pressure from compressed air can move things.
• Air is a gas. |
•
Observe the properties of air as it interacts with other materials.
• Observe the properties of air when it is put under pressure.
• Compare the path a balloon rocket travels along a flight
line to that of an air-filled plastic bag. |
|
2. |
OBSERVING
WEATHER |
|
Students
record weather over 4–8 weeks on a class calendar and
in weather journals. Students monitor temperature with a thermometer
and rainfall with a rain gauge. They learn to identify three
basic cloud types by matching their observations to a cloud
chart. |
•
Weather is the condition of the atmosphere (air) and changes
over time.
• Temperature, precipitation, and cloud types are components
of the weather that can be described.
• Meteorologists are scientists who study weather.
• There are different kinds of clouds.
• Rain is water that comes from clouds. |
•
Observe and record daily weather on a class calendar and in
individual journals.
• Observe and compare cloud types.
• Measure temperature and rainfall. |
|
3. |
WIND
EXPLORATIONS |
|
Students
look for evidence of moving air. They observe and describe wind
speed using pinwheels, an anemometer, and a wind scale. They
observe bubbles and construct wind vanes to find the wind's
direction. Flying kites, they feel the strength of the wind
and the direction it is moving. |
•
Wind is moving air.
• Wind speed and wind direction are components of weather
that can be described using anemometers and wind vanes.
• Wind scales are tools used to describe the speed of
the wind. |
•
Observe and compare the action of moving air and its effects
on pinwheels, bubbles, and kites.
• Observe and describe the direction of the wind using
wind vanes.
• Observe and describe the speed of the wind using an
anemometer. |
|
4. |
LOOKING
FOR CHANGE |
|
Students
organize monthly weather data using graphs to describe weather
trends. They continue to monitor weather throughout the year,
to compare the seasons. At home they make observations of the
night sky, looking for observable changes in weather conditions
as well as in objects in the sky (Sun, Moon, stars). Students
are introduced to the changing location of the Sun in our sky
and the changing appearance of the Moon. |
•
Weather conditions change over time.
• Weather observations can be organized, compared, and
predicted.
• The Sun heats the Earth during the day.
• Each season has a typical weather pattern that can be
observed, compared, and predicted.
• The bright appearance of the Moon changes shape in a
pattern that can be observed, compared, and predicted.
• The Sun and Moon appear to move slowly across the sky. |
•
Organize and graph class weather data recorded for a month.
• Record weather data throughout the year and compare
seasonal weather conditions.
• Observe the changing location of the Sun during a day.
• Observe and record nightly weather and the changing
appearance of the Moon. |
|
page 2
of 4 |
