Weather Unit

Lesson 7 – Measuring and Recording

Weather

Standard 2 Earth and Space Science. Students will gain an understanding of Earth and Space Science through the study of earth materials, celestial movement, and weather

Objective 3 - Observe, describe, and measure seasonal weather patterns and local variations.

1. Compare and contrast the seasonal weather patterns during the school year.

2. Analyze and interpret data such as temperatures in different locations and different times.

Vocabulary

weather: it describes the condition of the air at a particular time and place.

thermometer: measures the air temperature.

meteorologist: a scientist who studies and predicts the weather.

WeatherWeather is all around us. We walk through it every day on our way to school. But how would you tell someone what the weather was like yesterdays or the day before?

Scientists who study weather have certain ways to describe it and to measure it. Let’s find out how to look at weather as a scientist would.

How would you describe this weather?

What is the weather today?

Do you ever listen to the weather report on TV? the weatherman might say.

“It’s snowing today. Be sure to wear your winter coat and snow boots when you go outside”

Why do people listen to the weather report on the TV?

What is your favorite weather?

What kind of weather?What words can you use to describe the weather in these pictures.

Draw a picture of your favorite weather in your science journal.

What is Meteorologist?

Meteorologists study all kinds of weather: stormy, dry, cold, and wet. They even study calm weather.

Meteorologists gather date on what happens before, during, and after different kinds of weather, and they use the data to help them understand and predict the weather.

Storm chasers follow a storm that might turn into a tornado

Storm chasers are meteorologists who

go into areas threatened by severe storms. When they

are close to the center of a storm, they can gather

valuable data to help them understand

storms.

Weather ToolsThese are some tools meteorologist use.

precipitation gauge – is used to find out how much rain or snow has fallen.

thermometer – is used to measures the air

temperature.

Weather ToolsThese are some tools meteorologist use.

weather balloon– used to carry instruments to measure

weather

computers – are used to make sense of all the data they

collect. meteorologists use computers

Thermometers Thermometers are important tools that can give us information about weather. You know it’s cold outside, but how cold? You know it’s hot, but how hot?\

How can you tell? Use a thermometer. Thermometers measure how hot or cold something is.

Thermometers measure the temperature of the air around them.

Thermometers What does “F” mean on the thermometer?

F means Fahrenheit

What does “C” mean on the thermometer?

C means Celsius. In the United States people tend to use “F” while scientists use “C”

1. Hold the thermometer at eye level

2. Look at the Fahrenheit scale / numbers

3. Find the top of the red liquid

4. Look at the line on the thermometer scale that is level with the dip at the top of the liquid, and read across the line to the number next to it. If there is no number next to the top of the liquid, find the nearest number below it and count the lines up to the top of the liquid.

What does the red liquid do in the thermometer?

How to use a thermometer

• Use the experiment sheet to record temperature.

• Materials:

• thermometer

• tub of cold water

• tub of hot water

• recording sheet

Experiment

You will need 5 kids in each group. Each group will rotate through the stations and record the temperature. Be sure to read the thermometer correctly. Later glue the sheet into your science journal.

Experiment

Experiment Discussion

• What did you learn about reading a thermometer?

• Which station did you notice had the lowest reading?

• Which station had the highest reading?