Grade Level:

• 3rd, 4th, and 5th

Objectives:

• The student will:
  • read and learn the use of unfamiliar words using knowledge of root words and prefixes.
  • work with a small group of classmates to make a meteorological tool.
  • use effective communication skills in group activities.
  • present a brief oral report.
  • convert Fahrenheit temperature into Celsius temperature.
  • convert Celsius temperature into Fahrenheit temperature.

Estimated Time for Completing Activity:

• 45-60 minutes

Type of Activity:

• Exploratory

National Science Standards:

• Standard A Item 3
  Standard E Item 4 and Item 5
  Standard G Item 1

Virginia SOLs:

• English 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4
• Science 4.6
• Math 4.8, 4.9, 5.17

Vocabulary:

meteorology, Fahrenheit, Celsius, thermometer, formula, convert

Materials Needed:

• Students will be divided into groups of four. Each group will need:
  
  directions for constructing a thermometer
  water
  food coloring
  a soft drink bottle (glass)
  a clear plastic straw
  modeling clay
  marking pen
  a pan of warm water
  calculator
  pencil and paper
  a glass thermometer

Background Information:

• Knowing TWO ways of telling temperature is like knowing TWO languages. It can be very convenient.
• Gabriel Daniel Fahrenheit invented the first accurate thermometer more than 200 years ago. The Fahrenheit scale is named after him. We us the symbol (F) for Fahrenheit.
• In 1742 Anders Celsius designed the Celsius (or centigrade) scale. We use the symbol (C) for Celsius.
• People in the United States mostly use the Fahrenheit scale. Scientists and people from other countries usually prefer the Celsius scale.

Procedures:

1. Today we are going to work in groups and make an instrument that meteorologists use to measure temperature.
   • Meteor comes from a word that means "something happening in the sky." A meteorologist studies the atmosphere, weather, and climate of our Earth.
   • The root word "meter" means a way to measure. A thermometer is a weather instrument that measures temperature. The prefix "fore" means before.
   • A meteorologist uses tools to collect data and study the weather and is able to forecast the weather before the weather happens. Discuss the importance of this through class interaction and discussion. Temperature is one factor that meteorologists use to forecast the weather.
2. Before students are grouped explain that each group will have 30 nminutes to:
   • read directions
   • assemble a thermometer (Thermometer Direction Sheet)
   • write a paragraph describing how to make a simple thermometer: Use the formulas below to convert the following temperatures
     (1) 10 degrees Celsius     (2) 50 degrees Fahrenheit
     
     Formula: Convert Fahrenheit to Celsius
     
     
     1. Subtract 32 degrees from the Fahrenheit temperature.
     2. Multiply by 5.
     3. Divide by 9.
     
     
     Formula: Convert Celsius to Fahrenheit
     
     
     1. Multiply the Celsius temperature by 9.
     2. Divide by 5
     3. Add 32
     
     
     The scientific formulas are
         C = (F - 32) / 1.8
         F = (C*1.8) + 32
     (depending on the level of the group)

Teacher Notes:

1. Evaluation Tool: Rubic:

   80 points = A

   70 points = B

   60 points = C

   50 points = D

   10 points: the group will work quietly and cooperatively
   10 points: all calculations are accurate
   10 points: thermometer assembled correctly following all directions 10 points: calculations done on paper
   10 points: calculations checked using calculator
   10 points: paragraph punctuated
   10 points: spelling correct in paragraph 10 points: topic sentence and four to five supporting sentences

2. Extention Activities:    Use the thermometer and record daily temperature readings. Use the data recorded for a week to make bar graphs and stem and leaf plots.

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Lesson Plan submitted by Carol Mitchell, Poquoson Elementary School, Poquoson, Virginia, USA, for NASA's S'COOL Project.

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