Lesson Plan

Title: Weather Dynamics #1 Introduction to Weather Dynamics and

Energy Transfer

Duration:

Subject(s)/Course(s): Science 421

Grade: 10

Learning Objectives
- Introduction to weather dynamics comparing Weather and Climate
- Review of some prior knowledge i.e. Water Cycle
- Begin to review and/or learn types of energy transfer
Specific Curriculum Outcomes:
331-1 Describe and explain heat transfer within the water cycle.
115-2 Illustrate how science explains natural phenomena (i.e. weather)
Hook Activity or Review of Prior Knowledge

Materials

Video Neil deGrasse Tyson Weather and Climate

Bonus Fact: The lowest temperature ever recorded in Canada and North
America? The village of Snag, Yukon, registered 63C on February 3, 1947.
Action:
Point out Learning goal on the board, bonus facts.
Introduce Survival Guide, KISS Method
Intro with video.
Quick review water cycle.
If time available, begin energy transfer terms radiation, conduction,
convection, advection.
Define and explain

SMARTBoard
Internet Access

Differentiation
Use of Video
Discussion of water cycle
Possible KWL @ intro

Materials

Consolidation and Debrief

Materials

Materials

What we talked about today weather/climate, water cycle review, beginning of

energy transfer.
What we are talking about tomorrow
Assessment (For/ As/ Of) Learning
Introduction of Weather Survival Guide
Next Steps
Continue with energy transfer terms
Self Reflection
What went well?

What did not go so well?

What do I need to change?

Lesson Plan
Title: Weather Dynamics #2 Energy Transfer, Heat Sinks and Survival
Guide Intro

Duration:

Subject(s)/Course(s): Science 421

Grade: 10

Learning Objectives
Consolidate understanding of weather/climate. Review energy transfer terms from last day. Continue
with energy transfer types and describe and explain heat sinks.
Specific Curriculum Outcomes:
331-1 Describe and explain heat transfer within the water cycle
331-3 Describe and explain how the atmosphere and hydrosphere act as heat sinks within the water
cycle.
Hook Activity or Review of Prior Knowledge
Materials
Bonus Fact: Theres a saying in Canada that if you dont like the weather, wait
SMARTBoard,
five minutes. Never could that have been more true than in Pincher Creek,
Internet Access
Alberta, where Canadas most extreme temperature change was recorded. The
mercury soared from 19C to 22C in just one hour.
Review from last day Weather and Climate, Radiation, Convection,
Conduction, Advection.
Action:
Materials
Intro with bonus fact.
SMARTBoard
Discuss Weather Dynamics survival guide handout
Internet Access
Survival Guide
Begin lesson review of terms from last day, into more energy transfer terms
Handout
Discuss Heat Sinks, Heat Capacities, Albedos
Consolidate energy transfer overall prepare to move forward with next topic.
time @ the end of class to begin survival guide prep.
Differentiation
Materials
Independent work Survival Guide

Consolidation and Debrief

Materials

See action consolidation of the energy transfer portion of weather dynamics

Assessment (For/ As/ Of) Learning
Question/Response formative
Next Steps
Begin discussion of atmosphere, move onto next topic.
Self Reflection
What went well?

What did not go so well?

What do I need to change?

Lesson Plan
Title: Weather Dynamics #3 The Atmosphere, Axial Tilt, Gravity

Duration:

Subject(s)/Course(s): Science 421

Grade: 10

Learning Objectives
Describe and explain the composition and structure of the atmosphere, how it affects life on earth and
weather dynamics. Understand the Earths axial tilt, gravity and how these affect weather dynamics
and climate on Earth.
Specific Curriculum Outcomes:
331-3 Describe and explain heat transfer in the atmosphere and hydrosphere and its effect on air and
water currents
115-2 illustrate how science attempts to explain natural phenomena
Hook Activity or Review of Prior Knowledge
Materials
Bonus Fact: Someone who weighs 150 pounds on Earth would if it were
possible to stand on Jupiter weigh a whopping 354 pounds on the enormous
gas giant. Larger masses have greater gravity.
Burning Questions?
Action:
Burning Questions?
Intro bonus fact + what do you know? questions
SMARTBoard Presentation
- The atmosphere structure, composition, how it is important for life on
earth
- Any atmosphere misconceptions
- Atmosphere worksheet independent work
- Axial Tilt what is it? What are its effects on weather?
- Gravity how does it affect weather?
Differentiation
Axial tilt web tool
http://highered.mheducation.com/sites/007299181x/student_view0/chapter2/sea
sons_interactive.html

SMARTBoard
Internet Access

Consolidation and Debrief

Materials

Materials
Atmosphere
Worksheet

Materials

Assessment (For/ As/ Of) Learning

1. Atmosphere worksheet, Independent work.
Next Steps
Convection + Weather Cloud in a Jar Day
Self Reflection
What went well?

What did not go so well?

Lesson Plan

What do I need to change?

Title: Weather Dynamics #4 Cloud in a Jar Day

Duration:

Subject(s)/Course(s): Science 421

Grade: 10

Learning Objectives
Describe and explain how convection is the primary force behind the development of local weather
systems, how this relates to the hydrosphere and water cycle, and how to better understand what is
occurring during changes in local weather. Develop an understanding of basic weather prediction or
reading it is cold and rainy outside, why is this?
Specific Curriculum Outcomes:
331-1 Describe and explain heat transfer within the water cycle.
331-3 Describe how the hydrosphere and atmosphere act as heat sinks within the water cycle.
115-2 Illustrate how science attempts to explain natural phenomena.
331-4 Describe and explain the effects of heat transfer within the hydrosphere and atmosphere on
the development, severity and movement of weather systems.
Hook Activity or Review of Prior Knowledge
Materials
Bonus Fact: The most rainfall ever recorded in 24 hours is 182.5 centimetres
(71.9 inches) in Foc-Foc, La Runion (an island in the Indian Ocean), during
tropical cyclone Denise on January 8, 1966.
Cloud in a Jar
Action :
Intro
Bonus Fact
Burning Questions
Cloud in a Jar Activity
Cloud in a Jar Observation notes
Convection/thermals discussion
Local Weather discussion
Severe Weather Discussion
Differentiation
Cloud in a Jar Hands on
Group discussions
Possible video
Independent note taking

Mason Jars
Ice Cubes
Aerosol
(Unscented)
Hot Water (kettle?)
Materials
SMARTBoard

Materials

Consolidation and Debrief

Materials

Next day.
Assessment (For/ As/ Of) Learning
Formative Cloud in a Jar observation notes.
Self Reflection
What went well?

What did not go so well?

What do I need to change?

Lesson Plan
Title: Weather Dynamics #5 Convection cells, the Coriolis Effect and
What is Wind?

Duration:

Subject(s)/Course(s): Science 421

Grade: 10

Learning Objectives
Develop and understanding of Convection cells and their critical impact on global weather systems,
describe and explain the Coriolis Effect and also be able to describe what is wind?
Specific Curriculum Outcomes:
331-4 describe and explain the effects of heat transfer within the hydrosphere and atmosphere on
the development, movement, and severity of weather systems.
115-2 Illustrate how science attempts to explain natural phenomena
Hook Activity or Review of Prior Knowledge
Materials
Bonus Fact: The fastest wind speed ever recorded is 48432 km/h
(30120 mph). This was a 3 second gust recorded by a Doppler on Wheels
(DOW) radar unit in Oklahoma City on May 3, 1999
Action:
Bonus Fact: At the equator, you would weigh less than if standing at one of the
poles.
Burning Questions
Review of Last day cloud in a jar, convection and local weather
SMARTBoard Presentation
- Convection cells how does convection affect overall weather
patterns?
- The Coriolis Effect + Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=mPsLanVS1Q8
- Introduction to wind what is wind? https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=uBqohRu2RRk
Differentiation
Video

Materials
SMARTBoard
Internet Access

Materials

Assessment (For/ As/ Of) Learning

Survival Guide Check next class.
Next Steps
Prevailing Wind Patterns
Self Reflection
What went well?

What did not go so well?

What do I need to change?

Lesson Plan
Title: Weather Dynamics #6 Prevailing Wind Patterns and Their Effect on
Global Weather Dynamics

Duration:

Subject(s)/Course(s): Science 421

Grade: 10

Learning Objectives
- Describe and Explain prevailing wind patterns on Earth
- Analyze and understand the relationship between prevailing wind patterns and weather
patterns/climate zones
Specific Curriculum Outcomes:
331-2 Describe and explain heat transfer in the hydrosphere and atmosphere and its effect on air
and water currents
331-4 Describe and explain the effects of heat transfer within the hydrosphere and atmosphere on
the development, movement, and severity of weather systems.
Hook Activity or Review of Prior Knowledge
Materials
Bonus Fact: The USA has more tornadoes than any other country in the world,
averaging around 1200 a year. This is due largely to its unique geography which
forms an area in central USA called Tornado Alley which is frequently hit by
tornadoes
Review of Wind from last day
Prevailing Winds Video:
Action:
Intro
Review
Video
How Does Wind Affect Weather Patterns? Climate?
Differentiation
Video
SMARTBoard Activity

SMARTBoard
Internet Access

Materials

Materials

Assessment (For/ As/ Of) Learning

Next Steps
Hydrosphere, Cake Pan Demonstration, Ocean Currents
Self Reflection
What went well?

What did not go so well?

Lesson Plan

What do I need to change?

Title: Weather Dynamics #7 The Hydrosphere, Cake Pan Lab

Duration:

Subject(s)/Course(s): Science 421

Grade: 10

Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance of the hydrosphere to weather dynamics on Earth.
- Develop an understanding of how ocean currents develop and operate
Specific Curriculum Outcomes:
331-2 Describe and explain heat transfer in the hydrosphere and atmosphere and its effect on air
and water currents
331-4 Describe and explain the effects of heat transfer within the hydrosphere and atmosphere on
the development, movement, and severity of weather systems.
Hook Activity or Review of Prior Knowledge
Materials
Bonus Fact: Depending on where you are on the globe, you could be spinning
through space at just over 1,000 miles per hour. People on the equator move the
fastest, while someone standing on the North or South pole would be perfectly
still. (Imagine a basketball spinning on your finger.
Hydrosphere Video:
Action:
Intro
Hydrosphere discussion
Cake Pan Demonstration and questions
Differentiation
Cake Pan Demonstration

SMARTBoard
Internet Access

Materials
See Cake Pan lab
document
Materials

Assessment (For/ As/ Of) Learning

Cake Pan Questions - summative
Next Steps
Global Ocean Currents and their effect on weather dynamics
Self Reflection
What went well?

What did not go so well?

What do I need to change?

Lesson Plan
Title: Weather Dynamics #8 Cake Pan Lab Debrief, Ocean Currents and
Their Effect on Weather Dynamics

Duration: 3.5
classes

Subject(s)/Course(s): Science 421

Grade: 10

Learning Objectives
- Debrief and consolidate understanding from the cake pan demonstration.
- Formulate an understanding of global ocean currents their cause, effect on weather etc.
Specific Curriculum Outcomes:
331-2 Describe and explain heat transfer in the hydrosphere and atmosphere and its effect on air
and water currents
331-4 Describe and explain the effects of heat transfer within the hydrosphere and atmosphere on
the development, movement, and severity of weather systems.
Hook Activity or Review of Prior Knowledge
Materials
Bonus Fact: The fiery award for Earths hottest spot goes to El Azizia, Libya,
where temperature records from weather stations reveal it hit 136 degrees
Fahrenheit (57.8 degrees Celsius) on Sept. 13, 1922, according to NASA Earth
Observatory. There have likely been hotter locations beyond the network of
weather stations.
Video
Action:
Intro
Cake Pan Debrief and consolidation.
Short work period on cake pan questions
Video
How do ocean currents affect global weather patterns?

SMARTBoard
Internet Access

Differentiation
video

Materials

Materials
Video
Survival guide
Message in a bottle
assignment
Computer
labs/library

Assessment (For/ As/ Of) Learning

Cake pan lab summative
Message in a bottle summative
Next Steps
Complete ocean currents, do message in a bottle assignment, finish survival guide, review class.
Self Reflection
What went well?

What did not go so well?

What do I need to change?