SCIENCE
An activity that investigates natural resources and the water cycle through a study of clouds.
| Curriculum connections | |
|---|---|
| Level 1 & 2 | Explore and describe natural features and resources. Describe how natural features are changed and resources affected by natural events and human actions. |
| Level 3 & 4 | Ask questions, find evidence, explore simple models, and carry out appropriate investigations to develop simple explanations. Develop an understanding that water, air, rocks and soil, and life forms make up our planet and recognise that these are also Earth’s resources. Investigate the water cycle and its effect on climate, landforms, and life. |
| Level 5 | Investigate the composition, structure, and features of the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. |
| Level 6 | Develop and carry out more complex investigations, including using models. Use a wider range of science vocabulary, symbols, and conventions. |
Learning materials
Introduction:
- 2-litre clear plastic pop bottle
- Matches (*adult assistance)
- Warm water
Activities:
- Pencil
- Paper
- Coloured pencils/crayons
- Journal/notebook (OR tape, paper)
Introduction
- Let’s take a closer look at the skies! Have you ever made a cloud in a bottle?
Note: adult assistance needed for young ones
a) What are the 3 ingredients necessary to make a cloud?
Activities and teaching strategies
- Levels 1-4: Let’s learn more about clouds!
a) Collect or create a cloud journal by stapling/taping pieces of paper together. Take your journal and a pencil outside to find a comfortable spot to sit or lie down. Look up at the sky and notice the shapes of the clouds, the speed at which they move and their colour. Choose and draw 3 different clouds that have shapes you can identify (e.g. heart). - How do clouds get up into the sky? Let’s find out! Watch a 3-minute video to learn about the water cycle.
1) What are the 4 main stages of the water cycle?
2) Draw a water cycle diagram.
- Levels 5-9: Today you are a nephologist (someone who studies clouds)!! Use the link to answer the following questions (once opened, click on the tab, ‘Cloud Questions’).
- What are clouds?
- Why do clouds float?
- How do clouds move?
- How is fog formed?
Extensions
| Levels 1-8 | Types of clouds video (4 mins): a) Clouds can be grouped into 3 categories. What are they? b) Which cloud can go in all 3 categories? c) Identify one low level cloud, one mid-level cloud, and one high level cloud. d) What type of cloud is fog considered? e) Brainstorm 3 ways in which humans and their life choices can affect the weather. |
| Levels 2-3 | (*note: requires a printer to reproduce cut-outs) Using this resource, print and cut out the Cloud Finder: Make a chart with five headings: |
| Date/Time | Cloud Type | AM Weather | Predicted Weather PM | Weather/Time |
c) Fill the chart in each morning for a week, comparing their predictions to the actual weather in the afternoon.
d) After a week, analyse your chart. How accurate were your predictions? Were there any weather patterns that surprised you in the afternoon?
References
Peekaboo Kidz. (March 2015). The water cycle: The Dr. Binocs show. Retrieved on 11 April 2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncORPosDrjI
Peekaboo Kidz. (November 2017). Types of clouds: The Dr. Binocs show. Retrieved on 11 April 2020 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yod3wMbFHUY
Scholastic Professional Books. (2020). Cloud key: Clouds – The wow’s and why’s of weather. Retrieved on 11 April 2020 from http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/reproducibles/profbooks/cloudkey.pdf
Weather Wiz Kids. (2020). Cloud in a bottle. Retrieved on 11 April 2020 from
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=1727
Weather Wiz Kids. (2020). Clouds: Cloud questions. Retrieved on 11 April 2020 from http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=64
By Rachel Williamson-Dean
