SUBJECT: Science

GRADE: Fourth

TECHNOLOGY: Internet

BY: Megan Moynihan, Heather Olson, Brooke Topping, Teresa Frizell

 

Target Grade/Subject

The students targeted in this activity are fourth grade, computer literate children. These children all have access to computers at school and in their homes. These students know the basics of how to use the Internet and how to use simple search engines. This activity focuses on using the Internet to create a science fact sheet on different weather phenomena.

Objectives

This is the Fourth Grade Science SOL that we are targeting in this activity:

• The student will investigate and understand how weather conditions and phenomena occur and can be predicted. Key concepts include:
  • Weather factors: temperature, air pressure, fronts, formation and type of clouds and storms and
  • Meteorological tools: barometer, hygrometer, anemometer, rain gauge, thermometer

• The objective of this activity is for the students to successfully complete an Internet search using http://sunsite.Berkely.edu/KidsClick!, and to demonstrate their new-found knowledge by creating a fact sheet with the outlined information.
• The students may choose from the following weather phenomenon:

  • Tornadoes,
  • Thunderstorms
  • Lightening
  • Hail
  • Sleet
  • Snow
  • Hurricanes
  • Typhoons
  • Monsoons

• They must create a fact sheet containing the following information:
  • A definition of the weather phenomena
  • A description of the impact the phenomenon has on human communities
  • A current event involving the weather phenomenon.
  • A picture of the weather phenomenon

• This project will be graded qualitatively. The student will lose points for each item that is missing.

Materials

• Computer for each student
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Printers
• Glue
• Markers, pencils, pens

Procedures

Distribute handout on project to students (see attachment)

Direct students to computers

Reiterate directions on handout and see if there are any questions

Instruct students to begin working

Teacher will walk around room, looking for questions and any problems with the computers

After project is done, students will hand in fact sheets

Evaluation Procedure

The fact sheet will be graded based on the inclusion of the following criteria:

• Picture of weather phenomena
• Definition of weather phenomena
• Description of impact on human communities
• Current event involving weather phenomena
• Subtract five points for each item that is missing or incorrect. The grade will be out of 20 points.