MC

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

Temperature, humidity, and wind speed are all measurements of what substance?

            a.  air

            b.  rock

            c.  water

            d.  weather

 

Correct Answer:  a

 

MC

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

Which instrument would be used to find out the air pressure?

            a.  barometer

            b.  thermometer

            c.  anemometer

            d.  hygrometer

 

Correct Answer:  a

 

MC

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

The numbers of spins per minute for three tests of this wind gauge are written below it.  Which indicates the highest wind speed?

            a.  8 spins/minute       

b.  20 spins/minute     

c.  35 spins/minute

 

Correct Answer:  c

 

MC

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

What is the most important goal of weather forecasting?  To

            a.  make it possible for people to plan their day

            b.  help farmers decide when to plant crops

            c.  save life and property

            d.  keep accurate records for history

 

Correct Answer:  c

 

MC

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

On Sunday, the air pressure drops, clouds form and temperature cools.  What would be a reasonable forecast for Monday?

            a.  sunny, warm and fair skies

            b.  sunny, cool and fair skies

            c.  cloud, warm, no rain

            d.  cloud, cool and rain

 

Correct Answers:  d

 

MC

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

Uncle Rob says that when cats sleep all day, it will rain the next day.  How is this forecast different from that of a meteorologist?

            a.  he doesn't care what happens on Monday

            b.  he isn't interested in accuracy

            c.  he is not using scientific evidence or tools

            d.  he is probably correct most of the time

 

Correct Answer:  c

 

MC

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

The weather bureau predicts a nice day for your family trip to the zoo.  It rains instead.  Why was the weather bureau wrong?

            a.  It is impossible to predict the weather.

            b.  Weather had many factors that may change quickly.

            c.  Weather moves from one place to another and cannot be tracked.

            d.  Weather is uncontrollable and we cannot measure it.

 

Correct Answer:  b

 

E

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

How might the weather information gathered over a period of time be useful to people?  Describe two uses.

 

Possible Answers:

Recorded weather information helps people make predictions about weather.  Farmers use it to know when to plant crops.  Homeowners know when they can plant flowerbeds.  Vacations may be planned around weather information.  Scientists use weather data to help plan rocket launches and to see if climate is changing.

 

E

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

Why are weather maps made to show current weather conditions?

 

Correct Answer:

The weather moves and by tracking it a meteorologist can make better predictions.

 

P

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

Activity Description:

 Students will construct a simple barometer to demonstrate how air pressure is measured. They will observe changes in air pressure created by placing it in an artificial air chamber that can be altered dramatically.  Atmospheric air pressure changes too little for this to be useful for measurements of real air pressure. Students will write a summary of what they learn.

 

Materials Needed:

(for each small (3 to 5) group of students)

2- 9in balloons

2 jars, 1 baby food size, 1 large (quart) wide-mouthed

scissors, glue

toothpick

2 rubber bands

pencil and paper

 

Prior to Assessment:

Students should have had experiences with weather concepts relating to air temperature, wind speed and direction and reporting skills and techniques.

 

Time Needed for Assessment:

one class period of 45 to 60 minutes

 

Procedure:

1.  Cut the top (open end) off of one of the balloons, stretch it over the mouth of the small jar and use a rubber band to keep it in place.

2.  Glue one end of the toothpick to the center of the balloon "lid" and let it dry.

3.  Put the small jar inside of the large jar.

4.  Cut the bottom off of the other balloon and stretch it over the mouth of the large jar.  Use the rubber band to hold this balloon in place.

5.  Tie a knot in the top of the balloon. 

6.  Pull up to stretch the balloon.  Push down slightly into the jar to stretch the balloon the other direction.  What happens to the toothpick?

7.  Which direction is increasing the air pressure inside the large jar?  Why?   How is the toothpick moving at this time?   Which direction is deceasing the air pressure?  Why?

 

 

Scoring Guide:

16  points total

5 points - 1 for each step relating to the small jar (cut balloon, cover jar, place   rubber band, glue on toothpick, place in large jar)

4 points - one for step relating to the large jar (cut second balloon, cover jar, place rubber

band, tie off top)

1 point for a statement that the toothpick moves up and down

3 points for stating that pushing the balloon down increases air pressure because the air becomes compressed causing the toothpick to point up

3 points for stating that pulling the balloon up decreases air pressure because the air can spread out into the balloon and the air in the small jar also spreads out causing the toothpick to point down

 

P

4th Grade

Standard: 02

Objective:  03.  Evaluate weather predictions based upon observational data.

ILO:

 

 

Activity Description:

Students will collect and record weather data for five consecutive days.  Based on data collected and current observations students will predict weather for the sixth day and write and share a forecast.

 

Materials Needed:

thermometer, anemometer, barometer, rain gauge,  wind vane, cloud chart

seasonal weather charts,  pencil and paper  (all weather instruments are not necessary, three would be enough)

 

Prior to Assessment:

Students should have had experiences with weather concepts relating to air temperature, wind speed, air pressure, weather fronts, humidity, cloud types, precipitation.  They should have built and used weather instruments.  Students also need experience collecting and reporting data.

 

Time Needed for Assessment:

five ten minute periods over five consecutive days

one class period (45-60 min) on the fifth day

 

Procedure:

1.  Collect and record observable weather data for five consecutive days: temperature, barometric pressure, wind direction and speed, precipitation, cloud type or percent of cloud cover.

2.  Use recorded data and seasonal weather charts to predict the weather for the sixth day.

3.  Write your prediction in the form of a weather forecast using a newspaper, television or radio format.

4.  Share predictions with classmates.

 

 

Scoring Guide:

50  points total

        35 points - 1 for each piece of data (7possible) for 5 days

        7 points - 1 for each piece of data predicted on day 6

        3 points - 2 for correct sentence structure and 1 for verifiable prediction

        5 points - Explaining the weather forecast using the collected data