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Learning Sequence 1

From Cloud to Storm

What causes an isolated storm?

Students start with an investigation of short-lived, isolated storms, learning how they typically occur in the afternoon, the relationship between isolated storms and air temperature, and what determines whether growing clouds will cause precipitation.

Resources

  • Teacher GuideAdobe PDF file 
    • Designed to guide you through each section of the curriculum by providing step-by-step instructions for lessons, sample videos of activities, background science content, and NGSS connections.
  • All Student Activity Sheets for Lessons 2-6Adobe PDF file
    • Each lesson has activity sheets that you can download separately (see below), or you can download all of the activity sheets used in a learning sequence using the link above.
  • Digital Student Activity Sheets for Lessons 2-6 Google Drive File
    • Designed to be used with online learning management systems, like Google Classroom. Check out the Digital Worksheet Guide for more instructions on how to use these worksheets. Make sure to log into your Google account before copying any of the sheets to your drive.
  • Powerpoints
    • Powerpoint slides have been developed for each section of the curriculum to help organize and guide your students through lessons and activities.
  • Summative AssessmentsAdobe PDF file
    • Each learning sequence includes a corresponding summative assessment with answer keys; these assessments allow you to make sense of student learning, identify productive thinking, and identify incomplete or inaccurate ideas.
  • Digital Summative Assessments Google Drive File
    • As with the Digital Student Activity Sheets, these assessments are designed to be used with online learning management systems, like Google Classroom. Check out the Digital Worksheet Guide for more instructions on how to use these tools. Make sure to log into your Google account before copying any of the sheets to your drive. Make a direct copy here: Learning Sequence 1 Worksheet.
  • GLOBE Connections
    • For each learning sequence, we have developed GLOBE Connections that include ideas for student research and environmental explorations that utilize GLOBE protocols, the GLOBE Visualization Tool, and connect with GLOBE schools from around the world.
    • GLOBE Weather Bundle Protocol
    • GLOBE Water Cycle Bundle

Additional background information

Lesson Resources

Lesson 2

WATCHING THE SKY

What causes storms to form?

Lesson 2 Student Activity SheetsAdobe PDF file
Copy Lesson 2 Digital Student Activity Sheet to your Google Drive
Copy Lesson 2 Drawing for Digital Student Activity Sheet to your Google Drive

Links used in Lesson 2

Lesson 2 Optional GLOBE Activities and Resources

Lesson 3

TEMPERATURE CLUES

How does temperature relate to cloud formation?

Lesson 3 Student Activity SheetsAdobe PDF file
Copy Lesson 3 Digital Student Activity Sheet to your Google Drive
Copy Lesson 3 Drawing for Digital Student Activity Sheet to your Google Drive

Links used in Lesson 3

Lesson 3 Optional GLOBE Activities and Resources

Lesson 4

FUEL FOR STORMS

What is different about a warm, sunny day and a warm, stormy day?

Lesson 4 Student Activity SheetsAdobe PDF file
Copy Lesson 4 Digital Student Activity Sheet to your Google Drive
Copy Lesson 4 Drawing for Digital Student Activity Sheet to your Google Drive

Links used in Lesson 4

Lesson 5

AIR ON THE MOVE

How does air move and change when a storm is forming?

Lesson 5 Student Activity SheetsAdobe PDF file
Copy Lesson 5 Digital Student Activity Sheet to your Google Drive
Copy Lesson 5 Drawing 1 for Digital Student Activity Sheet to your Google Drive
Copy Lesson 5 Drawing 2 for Digital Student Activity Sheet to your Google Drive

Links used in Lesson 5

Additional Teacher Resources for Lesson 5

Lesson 6

MAKING A THUNDERSTORM

Can we identify the best conditions for storms?

Lesson 6 Student Activity SheetsAdobe PDF file
Copy Lesson 6 Digital Student Activity Sheet to your Google Drive

Links used in Lesson 6