Nicole McAllister

Matt Kropf

ESSC 311 Lesson Plan

Weather Fronts Webquest

Grade Level:

  • 7th grade

GLCE’s:

  • E.ES.07.74 Describe weather conditions associated with frontal boundaries (cold, warm, stationary, and occluded) and the movement of major air masses and the jet stream across North America using a weather map.
  • S.RS.07.15 Demonstrate scientific concepts through various illustrations, performances, models, exhibits, and activities.
  • S.IA.17.13 Communicate and defend findings of observations and investigations.

Objectives:

  • Students will be able to research frontal boundaries using various websites.
  • Students will be able to interpret weather maps as pertains to frontal boundaries.
  • Students will be able to predict weather related to frontal boundaries.

Materials:

  • Computers with internet access
  • Printer
  • Paper
  • Pens/pencils
  • Colored pencils

Process:

  • Begin by directing students to the following website:
  • Briefly go through the different parts of the webquest with the students. (Students will complete the sections on their own)
  • Introduction: Gives students purpose for learning
  • Spring break is fast approaching and your parents just informed you that they will take you on a trip anywhere you want to go in the continental U.S. But where should you go? How will you know what the weather will be like? What should you pack?
  • Task: Gives brief overview of what will be accomplished in the webquest.
  • Your task is to learn about frontal boundaries and the weather associated with them. You will use this information and weather maps to help you choose a vacation destination. You will then complete a set of questions and share your findings with the rest of the class.
  • Process: This is where students will complete the bulk of their learning
  • Explore
  • Let's begin by taking a look at some images and videos of frontal boundaries and the weather associated with them. Write down at least two things that you notice about each one.
  • Explain
  • Now let's learn about how these fronts are formed, the types of weather they typically bring with them, and how to identify them on a weather map.
  • Begin by watching the video at the following website.
  • Here is another site with information about fronts. Take a look at it and then take a moment to write down a few notes about what you learned so far.
  • Now check out the next two websites and try the activities to help make sure you understand what you have learned.
  • Now that you have learned about fronts and the weather that comes along with them, spend some time checking out the next two sites and learning about how to read the weather maps.
  • Finally, go to the following website and take a look at the current and forecasted weather fronts.
  • Elaborate
  • Now it's your turn. Use the links below to look at weather maps for the continental U.S. and print a copy of each. Based on what you observe, choose a destination for your Spring Break vacation.
  • On a separate sheet of paper, answer the following questions.

* On what date did you access the weather maps?

* To what city will you be taking your vacation?

* Why did you choose this destination?

* What frontal boundaries are affecting your destination.

  • Now, go to the following website and print a blank copy of a U.S. map.
  • On this map mark your vacation destination with a star. Next, use colored pencils to draw where you believe the fronts affecting your vacation destination will be tomorrow (the day after you printed the weather maps listed above).
  • Based on what you have learned so far, answer the following questions.

* Make a prediction as to what you think the weather will be at your destination tomorrow (day after you printed the weather maps listed above). Include high temperature, winds, and precipitation.

* Explain why you believe this will be the weather.

* What do you think the weather will be on the next day (two days after printing weather maps)? How about the day after that?

* How accurate do you think these predictions will be? Why?

Extension:

  • Students can compare their predictions to those of professional meteorologists, and check accuracy at

References:

  • Book
  • Ahrens, C. Donald. Essentials of Meteorology. 5th. Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2007.
  • Images
  • Video