Cloud Types Lesson
Students will learn about the different cloud types in order to create a model.
Essential Question
What do clouds show us?
Grade(s):
- 4
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
individual Chromebooks
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
Lesson Progression
- Day 1:
Engage: Play the Pixar Short Story. Ask students the following questions after the video:- Do all the clouds look the same?
- What do you think causes clouds?
- What do you think clouds show?
After the video, have the students complete a KWL chart. You will divide the chart paper or your interactive document into three columns. The first column will be what the students know. The second column will be what they want to know. And the third column will be what they learned after the unit. Fill out the first two columns.
Direct instruction: Watch the PBS cloud video.
Independent Practice: Students will complete the interactive cloud sort. They will use their knowledge of clouds to move the clouds to where they think they go. (They will edit this tomorrow after they take notes). Tell students not to worry about the correct name, but rather worry about matching the pictures up based on the characteristics of the clouds.
Day 2:
Prior knowledge: Students will watch the video.
Direct Instruction: Students will take Cloud AVID 3 column notes from the cloud slide show. The notes will include the cloud name, description/ what weather it brings, and a picture. **You may choose to use the guided notes or have the students fill out all the information.
Independent practice:
- Students will go outside/look out the window and observe what clouds they see.
- They will record observations in their science notebooks. They should draw a picture of what they see and give the cloud a name based on their notes.
Closure: Students will complete a Jam Board. They will write a fact and drag it to the cloud it matches. Students will also edit their cloud sort from the previous day.
Day 3-4:
Students will make their models for each cloud type. They can use cotton balls, crayons, markers, construction paper, and any other materials they may have. They will make a model for each cloud type by making the cloud, and showing what type of weather the cloud signals. Encourage students to be creative!
Day 5:
Students will share their models.
PBS Cloud Video
video that teachers students if you observe clouds in a portion of the sky, you may notice that they are not static. Clouds are composed of tiny particles of water and are constantly changing and moving. In this video produced for Teachers' Domain, observe clouds forming, moving, and changing shape.
View ResourceCloud Type Slide show
Slide show where students will get the information to fill out the notes.
View ResourceJam Board Cloud Facts
Jam board where students will write a fact and drag it to the correct cloud type.
View ResourceStandards
- Earth Science: Weather and Climate
- 4.E.2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of the water cycle and weather and climate patterns.
Assessments
You may use the Cloud Models, cloud sort, notes, and observations for assessments.