Piece of the Sky: Introduction for Making S'COOL Observations

Grade Level:

• Adaptable for grades 3-9. See below.

Estimated Time for Completing Activity:

• Approximately 20 minutes for indoor activity and 10 minutes for outdoor application.
  
  Note: Preparation for students making observations is discussed on two levels, young students and older students.

National Standards:

All levels:

Science Teaching Standard	B	Guiding and facilitating learning
Science Content	A 5-9	Scientific Inquiry
	D	Earth/Space science

Older Students:

Math standards		Numbers and operations
		Problem Solving
Science Content	E	Science and technology

Lesson for Younger students:

Objective:

The students will:

• Demonstrate the lesson through art expression
• Make accurate observations of cloud cover

Materials:

• Blue 8 1/2" x 11" paper
• White 8 1/2" x 11" precut paper
• Spray glue

Part One:

Length of Time: Approximately 20 minutes
1. Give each student an 8 1/2 x 11 inches blue sheet of paper. Also give each student one of the following pre-cut sheets: a half sheet of white paper (original size 1/2 of 8-1/2 x 11 inches), a fourth of a sheet of white paper, a page equal to 90% (8-1/2 x 9.9) of white sheet, and a sheet that is the original size. Tell students what size you are giving them.

2. Have students tear apart their white sheet into as many pieces as they wish, but they must keep all the pieces.

3. Lightly spray the blue sheet with spray glue. Ventilate room if possible. (Teacher may wish to do this part.)

4. Arrange pieces of white paper on the blue sheet in any desired fashion. This will simulate a cloud cover of 25%, 50%, 90% and 100%.

5. Randomly ask different students to hold up their sheet and ask the class to correctly identify the percent of cloud cover.

6. Ask students to describe how they would portray a clear sky. Explain to students that this is similar to what they will do for their S'COOL Observations.

Part Two:

Length of Time: Approximately 10 minutes
1. Have students carry their "models" outside for a S'COOL observation.

2. Ask them to compare the real sky with their models and draw a conclusion about the current cloud cover.

Lesson for Older Students:

Objective:

The students will:

• Gain experience in working with fraction and/or percentages
• Make accurate observations of cloud cover.

Prerequisite:

• Fractions and percents have been introduced. Conversions from fractions to percents have been introduced.

Materials:

• Pen or pencil
• Piece of the Sky Worksheet
• S'COOL Observation Sheet
• Group Summary Sheet
• Available weather tools

Part One:

Length of Time: Approximately 20 minutes
1. Give each student a color copy of "Piece of the Sky Worksheet". (Note: the following activity could be done as a class activity using one colored transparency of a cloud and another transparency on which is drawn a grid, and conduct this activity as a teacher led instructional period.) Provide either a pre-drawn grid on the picture, as shown here, or supply them with a transparency, on which a grid has been drawn. (The grid should contain 100 blocks and fit the sky image exactly.)

2. Have the students count the number of squares that are completely filled with a cloud and record on scrap paper. Then count those that are covered only by half, and finally those that are covered by a fourth.)

3. Have them calculate the cloud cover by fraction and convert to a percent.

4. Discuss the various answers and then compare them with the S'COOL Observation form. What would the class record for the cloud cover based on this simulation.

Part Two:

Length of Time: Approximately 10 minutes
1. Have students go outside and draw a conclusion about the cloud cover

2. If students are already familiar with cloud types, then each group should proceed with a complete S'COOL Observation and record on an observation sheet.

3. Assign one group to record all reports on an observation summary sheet and enter data online. (See Download and Analyze for a follow-up lesson using S'COOL data.)

Lesson Plan submitted by Carolyn Green, CERES' S'COOL Educational Consultant