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Internet Workshop: Wild for Weather
Grade Levels: 5-8 | Subject: Science
Introduction
As they complete this lesson, students will learn more about weather: how weather
forms, how forecasters predict the weather, and other weather "basics."
Students will complete an activity sheet as they explore a website and then
share their findings.
Objectives
Students will:
- use navigational strategies to locate websites and move within websites.
- share their navigational strategies with others, clearly explaining how
they located information.
- tell how various types of weather are formed.
- investigate how to forecast and measure different weather phenomena.
Estimated time
1 week: Students work on the Internet Activity during their scheduled computer
time. Students share their findings during a 30-minute Internet Workshop.
This lesson correlates to these national standards:
International Society of Technology Educators
National Science Teachers Association
Teach the Lesson
Preparation
You will need to:
Materials
Procedure
Teach
- Let students know that this Internet activity will focus on weather basics.
Then demonstrate how to use the bookmark or favorite folder to get to Weather
Basics.
- Give each student a Weather Activity Sheet. Encourage them to read the
entire sheet before they begin searching for the information.
- Tell students that all the information they need to complete the activity
sheet can be found at the assigned site.
- Encourage students to focus not only on the weather information, but
also on the steps they use to navigate around the site.
Model Your Thinking
"Using the Back button at the end of each article takes me to the home
page, where I can find a list of topics."
Independent Practice
Have students complete the activity sheet as they explore the site during
their scheduled computer time. This activity is well suited for independent
work, although you may want students to work in pairs or small groups.
Close and Assess
During the Internet Workshop, encourage students to share the weather information
they found as well as the navigational strategies they successfully used.
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Assessment
Use students' responses on the activity sheet to evaluate their ability to
use the Internet to gather information.
For each of the first five items, assign:
- 2 points if student records the information requested.
- 1 point if student records some information, but it is not exactly
what was requested.
- Add an additional 2 points to the total score if the student shares
some important information about content or a useful navigation strategy during
the Internet Workshop.
Total possible points: 12
You may wish to assign bonus points for the Optional item.
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Key Vocabulary
bookmark – a feature of most Web browsers that allows a user to
record the location of a favorite website for access at a future time.
browser – software that lets a computer find and view pages on the
World Wide Web
favorite – a feature of Internet Explorer that allows a user to
record the location of a favorite website for access at a future time
home page – the main page of a website
Netiquette – the generally accepted code of behavior on the
Internet
website – a location on the World Wide Web, usually containing
multiple Web pages
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Web Resources
Student Sites
Weather
Cartoons and interactive, kid-friendly quizzes give students the opportunity
to have fun as they learn more about the weather, including tornadoes, hurricanes,
thunderstorms, the seasons, the wind, and the water cycle.
Hurricanes: Storm Science
At this kid-friendly site developed by the Miami Museum of Science, students
can track hurricanes, look at a hurricane from the inside, and read compelling
stories from real-life hurricane survivors.
Around the World
– Climates
With just a click of the mouse, students can find out the climate of any continent.
Teacher Sites
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
At this site, you'll find up-to-the-minute information on weather to share with
your students. This site also includes satellite images that students may find
interesting.
Weather
Here and There
This integrated unit on weather provides additional information and resources
for an in-depth study of weather and weather forecasting.
Cybernetiquette Comix
Preview and then share with students these humorous comics that present topics
concerning safety and Netiquette on the Internet.
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Extend the Lesson
- Students can work in pairs or small groups to sharpen their navigational
strategies. Encourage them to explore the Weather
Basics site or any of the sites listed under Web Resources: Student Sites.
They can list and share successful strategies. Consider posting their strategies
in the computer work area.
- Invite students to read the instructions for creating weather instruments
at "Windy"
Things to Make. Students can work independently or in pairs to create devices
that measure the strength or direction of wind. Encourage students to take their
instruments home and explain to their families how their instruments work. Alternatively,
allow class time for students to use the instruments and record the results.
Enrichment
- Have students explore Weather
Myths. They can choose one of the myths and decide whether the myth has
any basis in fact. Encourage students to use one of the weather sites listed
in the Web Resources section to prove or disprove the chosen myth.
- Students may enjoy reading Weather
Jokes. Invite them to create jokes of their own and share them in small
groups.
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Standards Correlation
National Technology Education
Standards
Students:
- are proficient in the use of technology.
- practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
- use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety
of sources.
National Science
Education Standards
Students:
- identify ways in which clouds affect weather and climate (e.g., precipitation,
reflection of light from the sun, retention of heat energy emitted from the
earth's surface).
- know how the tilt of the earth's axis and the earth's revolution around
the sun affect seasons and weather patterns.
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