How Do Weather And Climate Affect Our Lives?
How Do Weather And Climate Affect Our Lives?
How Do Weather and Climate Affect Our Lives? is part of Smithsonian Science for the Classroom, a curriculum series by the Smithsonian Science Education Center. It is designed to address a bundle of third grade earth and space science and engineering standards. In this module, students:
- Test two anemometers in order to identify failure points and determine which one would be best to measure wind speed.
- Analyze and interpret weather data to identify patterns to predict when the weather will be good to fly a kite.
- Use patterns in past weather data as well as information about the climate of an area to support an argument about whether a location could have snow on July 15.
- Design, build, and test a roof in order to recommend roof structures that will reduce the risk of damage from a hurricane.
- Analyze patterns in past weather data to support an argument about the best time and location to host a soccer tournament
Below are digital resources that support teaching of this module.
Family Letter
Before starting How Do Weather and Climate Affect Our Lives?, share the Family Letter with students’ caregivers. Indicate how they should submit responses to the letter.
Download the Family Letter PDF
Day 1 Kite Flying (1:33 minutes)
This video shows students from Mr. Lee’s class flying their kite on the first day.
Download the Day 1 Kite Flying Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Day 1 Kite Flying Video
Download the Day 1 Kite Flying Video Transcript
Day 2 Kite Flying (0:33 minutes)
This video shows students from Mr. Lee’s class flying their kite on the second day.
Download the Day 2 Kite Flying Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Day 2 Kite Flying Video
Download the the Day 2 Kite Flying Video Transcript
Anemometers (0:50 minutes)
This video shows four different anemometers.
Download the Anemometers Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Anemometers Video
Download the Anemometers Transcript
Kite Template
This file is a template for making a kite. Print it on 11 x 17 inch paper.
Download the Kite Template PDF
How to Make a Kite
This National Park Service link provides video directions to make a kite.
https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=25670953-C837-CCC0-4ECA07BD911BB455
Anemometer Testing
This file provides directions for the anemometer test.
Download the Anemometer Testing PDF
Local Weather
To get the current weather at the closest weather reporting station, enter the school’s zip code in the box labeled, “Local forecast by City, St; or ZIP code.”
On the local weather page, the closest weather reporting station is listed under the phrase, “current conditions at.” This webpage shows the current wind speed.
http://www.weather.gov/
Weather Station (0:08 minutes)
This video shows a weather station.
Download the Weather Station Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Weather Station Video
Download the Weather Station Video Transcript
Rain Gauge
This file shows a rain gauge.
Download the Rain Gauge PDF
Weather Balloon (0:17 minutes)
This video shows a weather balloon launch.
Download the Weather Balloon Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Weather Balloon Video
Download the Weather Balloon Video Transcript
Live Doppler Radar Map
Click on “Live Radar.” If there is no precipitation in the zoomed region surrounding the school, zoom out. The color key at the top of the screen shows colors that represent rain, mixed rain and snow, and snow. Clicking on the (play button) shows radar over the past hour.
https://www.weatherbug.com/
Navigate to the “Radar” tab to find the radar map. If there is no precipitation in the zoomed region surrounding the school, zoom out. The color key at the top of the screen shows colors that represent light and heavy rain, mixed rain and snow, and snow. Clicking on the (play button) shows radar over the past 2 hours.
https://weather.com/
Live Satellite Map
Click on “Live Radar.” Under “Weather Overlay,” choose “Satellite.” Clicking on the (play button) shows satellite images over the past 12 hours.
https://www.weatherbug.com/
Choose the correct region from the left side menu. Choose “Animation Loop” under the “GeoColor” menu. Set the “Loop:” to 24 to view satellite images over the past 2 hours.
https://www.weather.gov/satellite
Wind Speed at 12:30 p.m.
This weather map shows combined data from satellite, radar, and wind speed at 12:30 p.m. on the day students were not able to fly their kites.
Download the Wind Speed at 12:30 p.m. PDF
Wind Speed Ranges
This file shows ranges of wind speeds that students can use to sort their data into high and low wind speed categories.
Download the Wind Speed Ranges PDF
Pen Pal Playing Outside
This file shows a photograph from a pen pal.
Download the Pen Pal Playing Outside PDF
Weather Words
This file gives students simple words to use to describe different climates.
Download the Weather Words PDF
Past Weather
This website gives past weather data for different locations in the US. Type the location of your school in the search field. Select the History tab and then select Daily to view high and low temperatures for July 15 of past years.
https://www.wunderground.com/
Pen Pals Letters Map
This file shows the location of five of Mrs. Reyes’s Pen Pals.
Download the Pen Pals Letters Map PDF
Climate Zone Map
This image is a simplified version of the Köppen map, showing five climate zones.
Download the Climate Zone Map PDF
Map with Matching Cities
This image shows the cities on the Matching City cards on a simplified version of the Köppen map.
Download the Map with Matching Cities PDF
Past Temperatures on July 15
This file shows the past temperatures on July 15 for Ushuaia, Argentina; Stanley, Falkland Islands; Nanortalik, Greenland; and Queenstown, New Zealand.
Download the Past Temperatures on July 15 PDF
Past Weather on July 15
These links can be used to find the past weather on July 15 for other locations that students might want to investigate.
Wunderground.com
Weatherspark.com
Climate-data.org
Pen Pal Poster Directions
This file shows the requirements for the Pen Pal Poster.
Download the Pen Pal Poster Directions PDF
Evidence for Pen Pal Claim
This file shows the evidence that students should use to support their pen pal claim.
Download the Evidence for Pen Pal Claim PDF
Gueydan Map
This file shows the location of Gueydan, Louisiana.
Download the Gueydan Map PDF
Gueydan Weather (0:13 minutes)
This video shows weather in Gueydan, Louisiana, on October 9, 2020.
Download the Gueydan Weather Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Gueydan Weather Video
Download the Gueydan Weather Video Transcript
Gueydan Climate Zone
This file shows the location of Gueydan, Louisiana, and the climate zone of Gueydan, Louisiana.
Download the Gueydan Climate Zone PDF
Gueydan and Hurricane Map
This file shows the location of Gueydan, Louisiana, and common locations of hurricanes.
Download the Gueydan and Hurricane Map PDF
Newnan, Georgia Storm Damage
This video show damage from a tornado in 2021 in Newnan, Georgia.
Download the Newnan, Georgia Storm Damage Video
Download the Accessible Version of the Newnan, Georgia Storm Damage Video
Download the Newnan, Georgia Storm Damage Video Transcript
Roof Design Collaboration
This file can be used as a tool to help groups collaborate about and use evidence to inform their roof design.
Download the Roof Design Collaboration PDF
Roof Design
This file has questions for students to consider about their roof design.
Download the Roof Design PDF
Wind Test
This file provides directions for the wind test.
Download the Wind Test PDF
Roof Recommendations
This file provides guidance for what students should consider when they make their roof recommendation.
Download the Roof Recommendations PDF
Kids Cup Cities
This is the list of cities that have submitted a bid to host the Kids Cup.
Download the Kids Cup Cities PDF
Map with Kids Cup Cities
This image shows the possible cities for the Kids Cup on a simplified version of the Köppen map.
Download the Map with Kids Cup Cities PDF
Climate
This website gives average monthly temperature and precipitation for different locations in the U.S. Type in the location of your school in the search field.
https://www.usclimatedata.com/
Kids Cup Recommendation Poster
This file shows the requirements for the Kids Cups Poster.
Download the Kids Cup Recommendation Poster PDF
Kit Tips & Tricks