Grade 5

Earth Science: Weather

Learning Strand: Earth and Space Science

Learning Standards: Students will
  • explain how air temperature, moisture, wind speed and direction, and precipitation make up the weather in a particular place and time.
  • distinguish among the various forms of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, and hail), making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.
  • describe how global patterns such as the jet stream and water currents influence local weather in measurable terms such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation.
  • differentiate between weather and climate.
  • describe how water on earth cycles in different forms and in different locations, including underground and in the atmosphere.
  • give examples of how the cycling of water, both in and out of the atmosphere, as an effect on climate.

Dan's Wild Wild Weather Page for Kids - a website designed by a meteorologist that provides information on key terms as well as opportunities for investigation of weather phenomena.

Ask the Meteorologist - Click on "Ask the Meteorologist" so kids can ask questions.

The Weather Channel - to get up to date weather information and other educational material.

The Weather Dude - Provides some educational information, including weather maps, and links to sites of interest to teachers. The weather dude is big on songs.

Hollister's Weather Watch - provides information about weather watch tools.

U.S.A. Today Forecasts - great place to go to get forecasts.

Franklin's Forecast - Information about El Nino, making your own weather stations, becoming a weather observer (hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.), plus a hotlist of weather curriculum connections.

Energy and Science Projects - includes anemometer, thermometer, building a wind gauge, learn about greenhouse effect,

Cloud Boutique - everything you wanted to learn about clouds, includes pictures.

How are Clouds Named and Who Named Them? - cloud characteristics

El Nino - An introduction which offers an explanation of the phenomenon, and some related science activities.

Weather or Not? - exploring the environment through modules and activities

Atmospheric Pressure - learn how air pressure affects you.

Weather Almanac - learn how weather in New England changes over time.

Office of Climate - great map that shows today's weather across the U.S.

World Climate - search for climate anywhere in the world.

Introduction to Climate - an excellent explanation to climate that links to definitions of pertinent terms.

Introduction to Weather - a companion site to the climate site above. Check out all the wonderful links to specific weather information.

Measuring Weather - how meterologists measure weather conditions.

Forecasting the Weather - explanation of how meterologists forecast the weather. Contains links which elaborates on the subject matter.

Weather Webquest - Using a general weather worksheet, students visit a collection of weather web sites to learn about the water cycle, clouds, weather fronts, and precipitation. The emphasis in this webquest is on how weather affects our everyday lives.