Clouds: Formation and Identification
A webquest for 4th Grade (science)
designed by: Chelsea Smith
smithc11764@mail.dbu.edu
Introduction
Imagine, you are on a trip flying in an airplane looking out the window. You see
all types of beautiful clouds in the sky. How will you describe what you saw to your family when you return? Well today, you and a friend have been hired as meteorologists and will become experts on different types
of clouds in the sky. You and your meteorologist friend need to create a PowerPoint
presentation that answers five questions listed under the Task. Then you will both share your presentation with your class.
Relax, enjoy and imagine.. you’ll be a meteorologist in now time! Good luck!
Task
Working in groups of two, divide up the task of investigating these following five questions:
1. How can clouds be identified?
2. How do clouds form?
3. Can clouds be used to figure out what the weather will be like?
4. What are some connections found between clouds and states of matter?
5. What are some connection found between clouds and the water cycle?
After approximately an hour, you and your partner will take time to teach each other
what you know. Then you both will work together to collect photographs and identify types of clouds.
When collecting pictures of clouds to share with the class. Feel free to be creative;
you can take the pictures yourself, use the internet or even use a book from the library. Be prepared to be able to tell the
class what type of clouds they are and how you know that.
Process
It’s time to begin your investigation!
You and your partner will need to take notes individually. After gathering all of the information needed, together you will
then create a PowerPoint to present the information to the class. You will have an entire class period to create and prepare
for your presentation. When you get to the point of creating your PowerPoint,
you need to make sure and include and answer all five of the questions mentioned in the task in that specific order.
Evaluation
|
Beginning
1 |
Developing
2 |
Accomplished
3 |
Exemplary
4 |
Score |
|
Notes |
You answered at least three of the questions
in your own words. |
You attempted to answer each question,and
your answers are in your own words. |
Your notes are complete and in your own
words. |
Your notes are complete, thoughtful,
and in your own words. |
__ out of 4 |
|
PowerPoint Plan |
You and your partner each created a plan
for your PowerPoint. |
You and your partner worked together,
with teacher support, to create a plan for your PowerPoint. |
You and your partner worked together
to create a plan for your PowerPoint. |
You and your partner worked together
to create a plan for your PowerPoint that could be easily followed. |
__ out of 4 |
|
Questions Answered |
Two questions were answered by your PowerPoint. |
Three out of five questions were answered
by your PowerPoint. |
Four out of five questions were answered
by your PowerPoint. |
All questions were answered by your PowerPoint. |
__ out of 4 |
|
Understanding |
Your presentation demonstrated that you
understood the answers to a couple of the questions, and your audience was able to learn from you. |
Your presentation demonstrated that you
understood the answers to some of the questions, and your audience was able to learn from you. |
Your presentation demonstrated that you
understood the answers to most of the questions, and your audience was able to learn from you. |
Your presentation demonstrated that you
understood the answers to all of the questions, and your audience was able to learn from you. |
__ out of 4 |
|
Time |
You finished the project but were not
done on time. |
You were done on time. |
You used most class time wisely and were
done on time. |
You used class time wisely and were done
on time. |
__ out of 4 |
Conclusion
You have learned how clouds form, what types
of clouds there are, and what each kind of cloud tells us about the weather. Congratulations! You have successfully educated
the fourth graders about cloud formation and identification! Hopefully, by the conclusion
of this lesson, you are able to successfully identify different types of clouds and broaden your understanding of your surroundings
and the importance of science.
Now
when you go outside and look at the clouds you will be able to identify them!
Resources for students
Work Cited:
http://bestwebquests.com/bwq/matrix.asp
http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/Schools/pershing/nett/pages/Clouds/task.html
http://edujourney.net/Webquests/Clouds/Frame.htm
