Weather Webquest

The Water Cycle | Cloud Types and Formation | Local Weather | Weather Across the USA | Climate

Introduction:

Fifth grade students' Science curriculum includes a goal that states "the learner will build an understanding of weather and climate". This is a comprehensive webquest designed to be used over a period of days or teachers may choose to focus on only one area.

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The Task:

You will use the Internet to gather information that address the various curriculum competencies.

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The Process:

The Water Cycle

1. Print the worksheet.
2. Use the following links to complete the worksheet questions.

http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/cycle/index.htm
http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/cycle/concepts.htm
http://www.mbgnet.net/fresh/cycle/cycle.htm

3. Using what you know about the water cycle, create a slide show using Kid Pix or Hyperstudio that illustrates the various parts of the water cycle.

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Cloud Types and Formation.

1. Print the worksheet.
2. Use the following links to complete the worksheet questions.

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bna/educate/VATHENA_2/weather/pricloud/index.html
http://www.fi.edu/weather/events/fog.html
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/dvlp/cnvct.rxml

3. Observe the sky for five days and identify the types of clouds seen. Use the chart to record your data.

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Local Weather

1. Print the worksheet.
2. Go to http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/local/27292 and record the current conditions in the first column of your worksheet.
3. Return to http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/local/27292 daily for four more days to complete the worksheet.
4. Use a spreadsheet program to graph the information.

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Weather Across the USA

1. Print the worksheet.
2. Use the following links to record current weather conditions in each of the cities.

Lexington, NC
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/local/27292

St. Louis, MO
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/local/USMO0787

Los Angeles, CA
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/local/USCA0638

Juneau, AK
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/local/USAK0116

Honolulu, HI
http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/local/USHI0026

3. Use a spreadsheet program to graph the information.

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Climate

1. Print the worksheet.
2. Use the following links to complete the worksheet.

http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/CE011513.html

http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0762183.html

3. Use a spreadsheet program to graph the data that you collected in the chart.

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Resources:

Here are some additional weather resources:

http://www.weather.com
http://usatoday.com/weather/wfront.htm
http://www.earthwatch.com/index.html

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Evaluation:

Go to http://www2.davidson.k12.nc.us/webquests/weather/weatherquiz.html to complete an on-line quiz based on what you have studied. When you finish the quiz and your score appears on the screen, show your score to the teacher.

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Conclusion:

Upon completion of this WebQuest, students will be more knowledgable about many of the aspects of weather as outlined in the fifth grade science curriculum.

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chunt@davidson.k12.nc.us

Christine Hunt, Director of Media Services and Instructional Technology, Davidson County Schools