Activity Five/ Weather Unit

Wind Strength

Fourth Grade/ Madeline Carlock

Focusing Question: How do scientists determine wind strength? Why would we want to know how strong the wind is? How much can wind strength vary?

Objectives: Students will construct an instrument to measure wind strength. Students will measure and record the strength of the wind. Students will observe the effect of wind on objects in their environments.

Materials: Wind vanes from previous lessons, 7 baskets containing the following

1 set of directions and Beaufort template, 6 data charts (three per student), 2 envelopes, 1 ping pong ball, 1 piece of 10 cm x 30 cm corrugated cardboard, 1 pair scissors, 1 glue stick, 1 30 sm length of thread, one roll of tape

Weather Data Chart, compass, electric fan, ruler, tape, video projector

Hook: Show short animation of Beaufort scale

Activities:

  1. Have two volunteers record weather data and share with class.
  2. Ask students to review yesterday- how can you tell if there is wind and where it is coming from?
  3. Ask, “Does the wind blow with the same strength every day?” and “How can you tell if a wind is strong or not?”
  4. Explain that wind speed is closely related to wind strength, and that the faster a wind blows, the stronger it is. Explain that the Beaufort scale rates the strength of wind from 0 to 12. Name various wind scenarios and have students guess the rating. Show students wind chart for reference. Show video.
  5. Explain that there are special instruments for recording wind strength called anemometers. Write anometer on board. Tell students that they will make a special instrument that uses a ping pong ball and a scale to measure how strong the wind is.
  6. Have students review directions and model making a wind strength indicator. Then students make their own while teacher circulates.
  7. Cut out the wind strength indicator and glue it firmly to a piece of cardboard so that the straight edge of the indicator template lines up with a side of the cardboard.
  8. Place a long strip of tape across this edge and wrap it so that the edge is nicely sealed.
  9. With a small piece of tape attach one end of the thread to the ping pong ball. With the T pin poke a hole through the cardboard at the dot. Feed the free end of the thread through the pin so that the thread is wrapped around. With another piece of tape, attach the free end of the thread to the back of the cardboard.
  10. Write names on the back of the cardboard
  11. Remind students they will use the instrument to measure the strength of the wind. Tell them to hold the instrument so that is reads zero miles per hour. Students must see that the thread must hang straight down. Check that each team is holding it properly
  12. Turn on fan in a location that can be seen by everyone. Ask one or two teams to test their instruments.
  13. Have students place data sheets in weather envelopes.
  14. Go outside with wind vanes, wind strength instruments, envelope, and pencil . Students determine the direction of the wind using wind vanes. Once they know the direction of the wind, they can measure its strength, holding their instruments parallel to the direction of the wind. Circulate and check for understanding.
  15. Repeat activity in the afternoon and check “Was the wind this afternoon stronger or weaker? Was it moving in the same direction?” Record data on chart.

Closure: Invite one student to record wind direction on Data Chart. Explain that from henceforth, we will record wind strength data daily. Have students attempt to classify wind strength according to Beaufort scale. Ask students to justify or explain why we did what we did today- what did it help us learn about being weather scientists? Ask for a “ticket out the door” for recess.

Differentiation: After the module is completed, students can take turns to bring home teacher-model instrument to measure the wind generated by various household appliances- a fan, a heater or air conditioner, a computer fan, hair dryer, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner on reverse, empty spray bottle, or musical instrument (recorder or brass for example)

Assessment: Final test, matching name of instrument to purpose and picture of instrument to name. Checking for understanding and proper use.

Reflection: