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Classroom Idea Sheet

Thar She Blows

This easily make wind vane will point to the source of a real or a student generated wind!

Standards alignment

Common Standards — cross-referenced to the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards and the California Content Standards.
StandardFrameworkGradeSubjectDomain
Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.Next Generation Science StandardsGrade 3Physical ScienceMotion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. [Examples:average temperature, precipitation, and wind direction.]Next Generation Science StandardsGrade 3Earth and Space ScienceEarth’s Systems
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsGrade 3Science and Engineering Practices
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsGrade 4Science and Engineering Practices
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsGrade 5Science and Engineering Practices
Collect data to provide evidence for how the motions and complex interactions of air masses results in changes in weather conditions. [Emphasis is on how air masses flow from regions of high pressure to low pressure, causing weather (defined by temperature, pressure, humidity, precipitation, and wind) at a fixed location to change over time.Next Generation Science StandardsMiddle SchoolEarth and Space ScienceEarth’s Systems
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsMiddle SchoolScience and Engineering Practices
Science and Engineering Practices: 1. Asking Questions and Defining Problems 2. Developing and Using Models 3. Planning and Carrying Out Investigations 4. Analyzing and Interpreting Data 5. Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking 6. Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions 7. Engaging in Argument from Evidence 8. Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating InformationNext Generation Science StandardsHigh SchoolScience and Engineering Practices
California Standards — cross-referenced to the Common Core State Standards, the Next Generation Science Standards and the California Content Standards.
StandardFrameworkGradeSubjectDomain
6. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions & conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept, and to address the content of the other strands, students will develop questions & perform investigations.CA ScienceGrade 404. Investigation and Experimentation
4.a. Uneven heating of the Earth causes air movements (convection currents).CA ScienceGrade 503. Earth Sciences4. Energy from the sun heats the Earth unevenly, causing air movements resulting in changing weather patterns.
4.b. The influence of the ocean on weather, and the role of the water cycle in weather.CA ScienceGrade 503. Earth Sciences4. Energy from the sun heats the Earth unevenly, causing air movements resulting in changing weather patterns.
4.c. Causes and effects of different types of severe weather.CA ScienceGrade 503. Earth Sciences4. Energy from the sun heats the Earth unevenly, causing air movements resulting in changing weather patterns.
4.d. How to use weather maps and weather forecasts to predict local weather, and that prediction depends on many changing variables.CA ScienceGrade 503. Earth Sciences4. Energy from the sun heats the Earth unevenly, causing air movements resulting in changing weather patterns.
6. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Student will:CA ScienceGrade 504. Investigation and Experimentation
4.a. The sun is the major source of energy for phenomena on the Earth’s surface, powering winds, ocean currents, and the water cycle.CA ScienceGrade 604. Energy in the Earth System4. Many phenomena on the Earth’s surface are affected by the transfer of energy through radiation and convection currents.
7. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations. Students will:CA ScienceGrade 607. Investigation and Experimentation
7. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions & conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept, and to address the content of the other strands, students will develop questions & perform investigations.CA ScienceGrade 707. Investigation and Experimentation
9. Investigation and ExperimentationCA ScienceGrade 801. Physical Sciences
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About this sheet

Grades covered

Grade 3 – Grade 12

Curriculum topics

Wind, Weather, Fluids, and Atmosphere

Sheet number

432
  • Categories: Earth and Space Science, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, Physical Science, Science
  • Tags: Forces & Motion, Weather & Climate

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