Download Start with Solar System – Earth as part of larger group of planets

Start with Solar System – Earth as part of larger group of planets each with their own
characteristics: orbiting on a particular path and speed, particular chemical components, their
own range of temperatures, and a variety of atmospheres. Focus on the particular placement,
atmosphere and temperatures on Earth that allow water to be found in all three states,
supporting our water and carbon-based life forms.
Water Distribution:
How much water does Earth have and where is it?
Possible engage: articles about on-going conflict over water, or any current droughts.
 Pacific Institute Water Conflict Chronology
Discussion: Why do you think there conflict over water sources in the West
and in other places around the world? Growing population, natural systems,
industry, agriculture, all need water
Exploration: activity with Water Distribution Modeling, sections of FOSS
Where does our drinking water in Berkeley come from?
 Activity: EBMUD Workbooks
What can I do to make more water available?
 FOSS conservation cards, discussion
Weather in Our Atmosphere
What is the atmosphere made of? Can I see it?
 Gasses, water vapor, particulates
 View of atmosphere from space space shuttle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHtWdT--OUE
 Current research role of water vapor in global warming, real scientists
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gt-4dC8JIzw&feature=related
 NASA Earth Observatory
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=7373

Clouds are part of atmosphere. Review: What are clouds made of? How does water
get into the air?
BrainPop - Clouds:this is a quick cartoon about clouds, with a pop quiz at the end. I
usually either have the kids answer in teams by writing their answer on a white board and
holding them all up at the same time, or by telling everyone to hold up one finger for a, 2 for b,
and 3 for c
Demo: wet finger mark on board, or can take time for some or all of water vapor
activity in FOSS
Demo/activity: High Water Capacity of Clouds
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/tstorms/ll_h2ocontent.htm
Can I feel the atmosphere? Is atmospheric pressure the same everywhere?
 Teddy bear under a weight, swimming pool analogy
 Bill Nye Atmosphere clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGNxYtT_36I&feature=related
Exploration Activity/Demos
 Air Pressure Lesson
 Weight of Atmosphere
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/atmos/ll_engagement.htm
What causes the wind [movement of the molecules in the atmosphere]?
Activity: What happens to heated packet of air when it’s surrounded by cooler air?
[Info from Ray Adams – could Ray please give us a write up with materials and instructions?]
Demo/Activity: Watching movement of colored hot water after laying bottle on
bottom of aquarium of cooler water, and then unscrewing the top.
Demo/Activity: hold spiral cut from paper over light bulb or toaster and ask students to
discuss what is making it spin. http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/global/ll_toast.htm
Demo/Activity: Ability of Wind to Suspend Rain and Hail
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/tstorms/ll_updrafts.htm
What causes the atmosphere to heat? Is it different over different parts of the Earth?
Activity: FOSS Uneven Heating of the Earth Materials
Activity/Demo: Amt of energy reaching different areas. Act out tilt of Earth toward
North Star while moving around a light.
Visual: http://user.gs.rmit.edu.au/caa/global/differential.html
How do oceans interact with the air above them?
Visual: Currents http://www.windows2universe.org/earth/Water/ocean_currents.html
Visual: Surface Temperature of Oceans
http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/OC5/WOA09F/woa09f.pl
What kinds of weather can happen when a cold air mass runs into a warm air mass?
Visual: BrainPop - What Is Weather?
Activity: Web Weather for Kids http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/
** Interactive site, causes of regular and severe weather, forecasting
What causes severe weather?
NOAA Weather Teaching Resources
http://www.education.noaa.gov/Weather_and_Atmosphere/Weather_Observations.html
What variables do we measure to help forecast the weather?
Activity: make Your Own Barometer
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/atmos/ll_pressure.htm
Activity: Make an Anemometer
What does a weather map tell me?
Activity: Reading a Weather Map
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/synoptic/ll_analyze.htm
Archives of National Weather Maps: http://www.hpc.ncep.noaa.gov/noaa/noaa_archive.php