CloudsStefanie MojicaIntended Grade: 4th

Subject: Science

Technology Integration• Rationale• Technology is necessary for students to gain a scientific

understanding of clouds. There are so many aspects to understand about this particular topic. Videos, pictures, and models will allow students to see the formation of clouds occur. They will be able to research weather that is associated with different cloud types and learn to recognize cloud types on any given day. All of this can be done on kid-friendly websites that make concepts easier to understand. Not only that, but students will have fun and be engaged. Teachers can also find technology beneficial because there are a number of activities and experiments for students to complete that align with Common Core state standards. Teachers that are not familiar with clouds can find helpful websites to educate themselves about this topic.

Website Reliability• Online sources used came from

reliable, easy to use websites such as university or government sites.

• Sites were looked over to ensure they had up-to-date insightful information that would assist in student learning.

Clouds Blog• Teach Junkie is a blog

with a number of different activities for teachers to do with students related to clouds. The hands-on activities will provide students an understanding of how clouds function, different types of clouds, and ways to describe them.

(Click on image to view blog)

Khan Academy Video• This video provides

an explanation of how clouds are made. This is a great way for young students to gain an understanding of not only the types of clouds, but how clouds play a role in our every day lives. (Click on image to play

video)

YouTube Video• This video provides a

brief explanation on how clouds are formed. It also introduces different types of clouds with real life images. Students can recognize types of clouds with these helpful visuals and experience the weather they bring.

(Click on image to play video)

Clouds Podcast• This particular podcast goes in

depth about the formation of clouds and what occurs for different types of clouds to develop. Teachers will benefit from listening to this podcast because they will learn the specifics about each cloud type. Not only that, but teachers will be educated on how different chemicals present in the atmosphere can effect clouds and condensation. Our knowledge of clouds will grow and we will be ready for any questions that might arise from our students.

Click the cloud to listen to a podcast by J.G. M’Pherson

Internet Resource• Scholastic is a

resource available for teachers and students. This resource allows students to observe the different types of clouds, and provides an activity in which students look out the window to determine what type of clouds they see outside.

(Click image for access to resource)

Internet Resource

The Center for Science Education is a resource that provides both teachers and students with multimedia and content that will allow students to gain a thorough understanding of clouds. Not only that, but the activities provided by this resource meet Common Core Standards for upper elementary science.

(Click image for access to resource)

Internet Resource

(Click image for access to resource)

Utah Education Network (UEN) is a resource specifically for teachers that provides a lesson plan on clouds that coincides with Common Core State Standards. UEN includes a overview of clouds so teachers have a full understanding of the topic as well as activities and assessments for fourth grade students to complete.

Clouds Organizer

Teaching Materials• This word search

will assist students in learning cloud vocabulary in a fun, engaging way!

• Word search can be found at this link:

Cloud Word Search: Puzzle-Club

Teaching Materials• This worksheet informs

students on how to recognize different clouds and where they are found in our atmosphere. There are questions to go along with the descriptions to ensure full understanding of the topic.

• Link to this activity:Super Teachers- Types of Clouds

Teaching Materials• This science activity

allows students to observe the clouds in the sky on a particular day, recognize types of clouds, and describe the weather those specific clouds bring. Students act as scientists and record observations in a table.

• This activity can be found here:

• UEN Lesson Plan- Activity

Teaching MaterialsThis app for Apple iPhone/iPads is a great resource for students! This app allows students to explore how clouds form, what type of weather to expect from different types of clouds, and what each cloud looks like.

(Click on app to download)

Subject-Specific WebsiteScience Gems: Earth Science

• Frank Potter’s Science Gems is a great resource. There are tons of science topics including a section for clouds and the atmosphere.

• Lesson plans, worksheets, experiments, and visualizations can be found to aid students and teachers.

• All of these activities are organized so teachers can easily find age-appropriate materials.

Supporting Websiteshttp://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_edu/biosites.html#3

• This interactive website offers access a variety of science topics including clouds. This website is useful for teaching because there are many website links that lead to games, books, and quizzes related to the topic. These materials will allow students to explore clouds using a variety of learning tools.

http://www.dictionary.com• This website provides definitions/descriptions of the different

types of clouds and other important terms. This is helpful for those students who learn best by reading insightful information, and it may even assist teachers that are unfamiliar with the topic.

Rubric/AssessmentTeach-Nology Rubric Generator

• This is a rubric generator

for teachers to use when determining if students are meeting standards and demonstrating scientific thinking.

• This can be used for any age and for any topic.

• It is very easy to use and there are lots of examples provided.

Collaborative Applications

• Google Classroom allows teachers and students to collaborate in a very simple way.

• Students can work on computers at school and teachers can monitor, give suggestions, and feedback on any work that students are working on.

• Teachers can also use Google to collaborate with one another and compare lesson plans, assignments, and other ideas.

Slideshare• This PowerPoint video can also be found on

slideshare!