Teacher Notes: Planning
    This unit relates to NYS Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science and Technology. Specifically, under "Physical Setting", students should know that many of the phenomena that we observe on Earth involve interactions among components of air, water, and land.
    This unit covers the topic of weather and how weather affects our lives. It will take approximately one week to complete, which includes research, writing, and presentation. The process will be easier to do in a computer lab or in a setting with individual computer access. If computer access is an issue, research could be done in the school library.

    Teams of three students are recommended, but two students could successfully complete the assignment. There should be a time limit on the oral presentation, possibly 5- 8 minutes per team. Students should be encouraged to keep their presentations interesting- use of props and dress make the presentations fun to watch for all.

                                                Process

The Weather-Wise Weather Kids will present the weather forecast for a local area on the evening weather station.
Your team will have to write a script and present it to the class. First, you will  have to research important weather information.

Step One: Team Assignments

You will  be assigned to a team of  2-3 students. Each team member will be assigned a role and become an expert in the field:

    A.  Doctor/ Health Concerns-  Your role is to investigate the weather forecast and how it relates to allergies, skin protection, air quality, and possible flu outbreaks.

    B. Recreation Specialist/ Recreation- Your job is to find out about local ski conditions, weather conditions at state parks, golf outlook, and boating and beach reports.

   C. News Reporter- Your job will be to find out the current storm watches and warnings in your city. You also will find past  major weather events, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or winter storms that have occurred in you area.

Step Two: Research

Before you begin your individual research, your team will visit these web sites and answer the following questions about weather. Answer these questions in your Science notebook in complete sentences and use this information for reference.

1. What is weather?

2. What are fronts?

3. What does a cold front produce?                        What does a warm front produce?

4. What kind of weather takes place in a high pressure area? in a low pressure area?

5. How do we predict weather?

6. What tools do we use to predict weather?

Use these web sites to beginning your research:

Predicting Weather

Simple Weather Background

More Weather Background

Air Masses and Fronts

Step Three: Write Script

Your team will write a script for your weather forecast. You will be assigned to investigate the weather of a particular city. You should follow the following outline when writing out the script (must be typed, double - spaced)

             1. News Reporter: Introduction

Catch the attention of your audience. Report on any past "wild weather" that has occurred in your city. Also, you will report on the current weather conditions of your city including:

• temperature,
•  precipitation
•  highs and lows for that day
• a 7-day forecast

•  air quality, the air quality index, and the color code explanation
  
•  allergy weather maps, pollen, ragweed, and mold counts
• ozone levels  and explanation of  high- ozone days
• particulate matter ( what is it) and what are the regional levels
• sun safety , UV level , recommended  SPF

• Coastal water temperatures
• Wind conditions
• marine forecasts
• golf report
• weather in national and sate parks
• ski reports and snow conditions

Use these web sites to do your individual reports:
How weather affects your life
The Weather Channel
USA Today Weather
Past Weather Reports
Hurricane City