Georgia S4E4.c
The Standard
Ask questions and use observations of cloud types (cirrus, stratus, and cumulus) and data of weather conditions to predict weather events.
Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science · Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to predict weather events and infer weather patterns using weather charts/maps and collected weather data.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify cirrus, stratus, and cumulus clouds from observations or photos. They use cloud types, temperature, wind, and precipitation data to ask questions and predict upcoming weather.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student correctly identifies the three cloud types and describes their visible features. The student makes a reasonable forecast and supports it with at least two weather clues.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may confuse wispy cirrus clouds with puffy cumulus clouds or call every gray cloud a rain cloud. They may also treat a prediction as a guess instead of using several observations as evidence.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Layered gray clouds cover the sky, humidity is rising, and rain is reported west of town. Write one question, predict the afternoon weather, and cite two clues.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Take students outside with cloud viewers, then record cloud type, sky cover, temperature, wind, and a weather prediction in a class log.
Compare two weather logs and write: Which day is more likely to bring rain, and what two clues support your claim?
Play Cloud Forecast Match: teams pair cirrus, stratus, and cumulus photo cards with data cards, then defend the most likely forecast.
Track the local morning forecast for five days, compare it with afternoon conditions, and circle which cloud and weather clues were most reliable.
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Printable S4E4.c Worksheet
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Related Standards
- S4E4
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to predict weather events and infer weather patterns using weather charts/maps and collected weather data.
- S1E1
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate weather data to identify weather patterns.
- S1E1.a
Represent data in tables and/or graphs to identify and describe different types of weather and the characteristics of each type.
- S1E1.c
Plan and carry out investigations on current weather conditions by observing, measuring with simple weather instruments (thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge), an...
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