There are so many technologies out there for teachers to use to help them teach more effectively and help their students enjoy the learning process more. In this experiment we will look at one of those programs and see how it can improve the teaching experience.
The core that will be focused on is 4th grade Standard 2, Objective 1. It states that, students will understand that the elements of weather can be observed, measured, and recorded to make predictions and determine simple weather patterns. The purpose of this activity is for students to observe, and record the basic elements of weather, paying particular attention to clouds.
On different days throughout the month we went out as a class and observed the weather. These observations were done at different times during the day and all students got to participate. Going outside and actually observing what they saw, drawing pictures of it, and describing in words their observations were all part of the process. As a class we had discussions on
weather, particularly the clouds and we learned what the three main types of clouds are: stratus, cumulus, and cirrus. After studying the clouds and learning about the types of weather they bring the students got to add predictions to their observation materials. As a class we learned how to use the program Kidspreration and were able to apply that to all they were learning. With the program the students were able to review the types of clouds and weather and show what types of weather different clouds would bring.
They each were able to develop an individual chart showing what they had learned, observed, and predicted. Using the program the students were able to more effectively analyze their data.
Along with their charts there was a writing assignment to basically summarize all the information they had learned about the weather and clouds.
Resources:
http://www.climatechangenorth.ca/images/illustrations/spring_kids-sm.gif
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirkinorbit/601598866/
Websites that could be helpful for planning and teaching:
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/clouds/cloud_types.html
http://vortex.plymouth.edu/clouds.html/
http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/
Looks good! I also used Kidsperation and I loved it!
ReplyDeleteSarah - kidsperation is a great tool!
ReplyDeleteIt looked like you may have downloaded the first two images off of the internet. You can't receive credit on this assignment until you have properly cited them if this is the case. Please email me and let me know if and when you have done this.