Research
Severe Weather Patterns Unit

Lesson One
Introduction to Severe Weather Patterns

  • Brief Description
  • Objectives
  • Materials and Resources
  • Activity Description
  • Internet Resources
  • Library Resources

  • Brief Description

        This lesson uses traditional and/or on-line resources to introduce students to basic weather terminology and background on wind, storms, clouds, and rain. As part of this lesson, students learn how the basic weather measurements - temperature, humidity, pressure, wind speed and direction - are used by meteorologists to predict weather patterns from models of atmospheric change. While there are a variety of printed materials that can be used for this lesson, there are also a growing set of on-line resources that are available. Up to Contents

of this Page
    Objectives

        Students will:

    Up to Contents

of this Page
    Materials and Resources

        In developing our lessons and activities, we made some assumptions about the hardware and software that would be available in the classroom for teachers who visit the LETSNet Website. We assume that teachers using our Internet-based lessons or activities have a computer (PC or Macintosh) with the necessary hardware components (mouse, keyboard, and monitor) as well as software (operating system, TCP/IP software, networking or dial-up software, e-mail and a World Wide Web client program, preferably Netscape, but perhaps Mosaic or Lynx). In the section below, we specify any "special" hardware or software requirements for a lesson or activity (in addition to those described above) and the level of Internet access required to do the activity.

    1. Special hardware requirements: none.
    2. Special software requirements: none.
    3. Internet access: Medium-speed (28,000 BPS via modem) or High-speed (greater than 1 MBPS via network).
    Up to Contents

of this Page
    Activity Description

        Before beginning this activity, collect printed materials on weather and meteorology (see Library Resources). Use books, magazines, and newspaper articles drawn from the library or media center that explain basics of weather.

    Up to Contents

of this Page
    Internet Resources Up to Contents

of this Page
    Library Resources

        These are some examples of resources on weather available for use with students. The list is by no means exhaustive, but is intended to serve as a starting point for your search for books. Encycolpedias, both paper and CD-ROM, also are fine places for children to look for information on weather. Each resource in our list has a brief description as well as a range of grades for which it is most appropriate.

    Up to Contents

of this Page

    Back to Severe Weather Unit Lesson Plans


    LETSNet is © Michigan State University College of Education and Ameritech