Virginia SOL 6.7

6.7 is a Standards of Learning science standard. These are the key ideas and practices under it.

• 6.7.a

  air is a mixture of gaseous elements and compounds

• 6.7.b

  the atmosphere has physical characteristics

• 6.7.c

  properties of the atmosphere change with altitude

• 6.7.d

  there is a relationship between air movement, thermal energy, and weather conditions

• 6.7.e

  atmospheric measures are used to predict weather conditions

• 6.7.f

  weather maps give basic information about fronts, systems, and weather measurements.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students identify the main gases in air and describe air as matter with mass, pressure, density, and temperature. They explain how altitude and uneven heating affect air movement and weather. They use weather instruments, data, and maps to identify fronts and pressure systems and make predictions.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students compare atmospheric conditions at different altitudes and explain the patterns using evidence. Given a weather map, they correctly identify fronts, pressure systems, wind direction, and likely weather changes.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think air is empty space, oxygen makes up most of the atmosphere, or warm air sinks. They may confuse climate with weather, air pressure with wind speed, and cold fronts with cold temperatures only.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a small weather map showing one front, pressure labels, wind symbols, and temperatures. Ask them to name the front and predict the next day's weather with two pieces of map evidence.

1. 01

   Seal the tip of a plastic syringe, press the plunger, and record evidence that trapped air takes up space and can be compressed.

2. 02

   Ask students to explain why a sunny parking lot and nearby grass can produce different air temperatures and air movement.

3. 03

   Play weather map bingo using cards with cold fronts, warm fronts, high pressure, low pressure, precipitation, and wind symbols.

4. 04

   Compare a local seven-day forecast with daily observations, then identify which measurements best predicted each weather change.

• 1.7

  The student will investigate and understand that there are weather and seasonal changes. Key ideas include

• 5.7

  The student will investigate and understand that matter has properties and interactions. Key ideas include

• 2.6

  The student will investigate and understand that there are different types of weather on Earth. Key ideas include

• 5.8

  The student will investigate and understand that Earth constantly changes. Key ideas include