Day 6: Make It Rain
Objectives:
Students will
Materials:
large clear tub
shaving cream
blue food coloring
water to fill the bottom 2/3 of tub
chart paper or black/white board with markers or chalk
"My 5 Day Forecaster" sheet/interactive notebooks
Instructions:
Have students record the daily weather observations, either by stepping outdoors or by looking through the classroom window. Make sure children are recording observations on their "My 5 Day Forecaster" worksheets in interactive notebooks.
Next set up the "rain" experiment in the front of the class: fill bottom 2/3 of tub with water and have shaving cream and food coloring ready to go. Ask the students to remind you how precipitation falls from the sky (review water cycle steps). Tell the children that the water is going to act like air for the purpose of this experiment. Next, squirt enough shaving cream across the surface of the water, so it is floating at the top of the tub like a cloud in the sky. Spread a few drops of the blue food coloring across the top of the shaving cream and explain to students that the water droplets in the cloud continue to band together until they become so heavy that the droplets begin to fall as rain or snow. By this time, the "rain" (blue dye) should be starting to fall out of the "cloud" (shaving cream) and down through the "air" (water).
Students will
- describe seasonal weather patterns
- observe and record daily weather conditions, such as sunny, cloudy, windy, rainy, or snowy
- describe weather in terms of temperature, wind and precipitation
- evaluate the influence of daily weather conditions on personal activities and dress
Materials:
large clear tub
shaving cream
blue food coloring
water to fill the bottom 2/3 of tub
chart paper or black/white board with markers or chalk
"My 5 Day Forecaster" sheet/interactive notebooks
Instructions:
Have students record the daily weather observations, either by stepping outdoors or by looking through the classroom window. Make sure children are recording observations on their "My 5 Day Forecaster" worksheets in interactive notebooks.
Next set up the "rain" experiment in the front of the class: fill bottom 2/3 of tub with water and have shaving cream and food coloring ready to go. Ask the students to remind you how precipitation falls from the sky (review water cycle steps). Tell the children that the water is going to act like air for the purpose of this experiment. Next, squirt enough shaving cream across the surface of the water, so it is floating at the top of the tub like a cloud in the sky. Spread a few drops of the blue food coloring across the top of the shaving cream and explain to students that the water droplets in the cloud continue to band together until they become so heavy that the droplets begin to fall as rain or snow. By this time, the "rain" (blue dye) should be starting to fall out of the "cloud" (shaving cream) and down through the "air" (water).
After the experiement, ask the students what kinds of things they like to do when it's raining outside. Make a list of answers. Take a poll on how many people like it when it storms (rain storm, thunderstorm, snow storm, ice storm). What do they think about experiencing a sandstorm? What safety precautions do we need to take in any of these storms? Is there anything that they cannot do if it is stormy outside? Why or why not? Compare and contrast answers depending on the type of storm.
Read "Storm is Coming!" by Heather Tekavek.
Assessment:
Teacher will listen for accurate answers about how rain/snow form in clouds. Teacher will also listen for correct answers to questions regarding stormy day activities and clothing choices.
Resources:
"My 5 Day Forecast" worksheet
http://play-explore-learn.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/weather-watchers.html
References:
www.pintrest.com
www.play-explore-learn.blogspot.com
Read "Storm is Coming!" by Heather Tekavek.
Assessment:
Teacher will listen for accurate answers about how rain/snow form in clouds. Teacher will also listen for correct answers to questions regarding stormy day activities and clothing choices.
Resources:
"My 5 Day Forecast" worksheet
http://play-explore-learn.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/weather-watchers.html
References:
www.pintrest.com
www.play-explore-learn.blogspot.com
