Cloud Info and Games for Kids

I'm always excited when I find a new, free, online resource for kids. Last night I found SPARK - UCAR Science Education. http://www.eo.ucar.edu

They have a great section on their website called Web Weather for Kids.


Here are some LINKS to pages about CLOUDS that will work great with this Weather Unit. I think the kids will enjoy the last 2 links best!  :)

~ Web Weather for Kids Home Page


~ Clouds - Main Page


~ How Do Clouds Form?


~ Cloud Types


~ Cloud Matching Game


~ Cloud Concentration Game


  Enjoy!

Weather Song for Kids

Do you remember the Schoolhouse Rock Videos?

Well the Gamequarium website has a link to A Weather Video by Schoolhouse Rock that the kids might enjoy viewing.
Click on the link below.

~ Schoolhouse Rock Video on Weather

   

Enjoy! 

 

Make a Wind Sock Craft

A WIND SOCK is a weather instrument that shows the direction of the wind.

Here are easy directions to make a wind sock that kids can make with a few inexpensive supplies.

Materials

• cardboard or heavy paper
• glue
• string
• crepe paper streamers
• paper punch 

Directions

• Roll a rectangular piece of cardboard into a tube shape and glue or staple.
• On one end of the tube punch 3 holes.
• Loop a piece of string or yarn through each hole.
• Tie the 3 pieces of string together.
• On the other end of the tube glue approx. 5 streamers.
• Have fun observing the wind!

The kids can make wind socks in different colors and sizes. They could compare the different sizes and see which ones "catch" the wind better!

Here are craft directions to make a mini wind sock that can be used indoors or outdoors.
Click Here: Mini Wind Sock Directions

Have fun learning about weather elements and crafting.

Make a Wind Vane

A Wind Vane is a weather instrument (tool) that shows the direction of the wind.

Here are directions to make a simple wind vane.

Materials

• safety goggles
• recycled empty plastic container (yogurt, frosting, etc.) with a cover
• pencil
• scissors
• heavy paper/cardboard
• glue
• straw
• pushpin
• rocks/sand/pebbles/clay (optional)

Directions

• All participants should wear safety goggles.
• Cover or decorate the plastic container, if desired.
• Make a small hole in the center of the plastic cover.
• Push a pencil through the center hole. The eraser end should stick out.
• Cut 4 small triangles, 1 larger triangle ,and 1 even larger rectangle from the cardboard.
• Label the 4 smaller triangles. (N, E, S, W).
• Glue the 4 small triangles on the edges of the container around the pencil in 4 different directions.
• Cut a half inch slit in each end of the straw.
• Put the larger triangle into the slit on one end. Put the rectangle into the slit on the other end.
• Place a pushpin through the center of the straw then into the eraser on the pencil.
• Check that the straw is not too tight so that it can spin easily in the wind.
• To make the wind vane heavier so that the wind will not knock it over, try adding some rocks, pebbles, sand, or clay inside the plastic container.
• Place the wind vane outside. Use a compass to check that the triangle labeled N is facing North.
• Write down the direction that the wind is blowing from in a science journal/notebook along with the date, time of day, and location.

Have fun learning about weather.

Bill Nye Video - Wind

My last post contained directions to make a simple ANEMOMETER - a Weather Instrument that measures WIND Speed. 

I would like to follow up today by giving you a link to Bill Nye's Video on WIND.

Edit: The video is no longer available. You may be able to rent the video from your local library.

  Enjoy your visit with Bill!

Make an Anemometer (Weather Instrument)

An ANEMOMETER measures WIND SPEED.

Science and Math Activity

Here are directions to make a simple Anemometer that students can use to measure Wind Speed.

Directions found at Royal Meteorological Society, UK http://www.rmets.org, www.nauticus.org and Explorit Science Center http://www.explorit.org

Materials

• ping pong ball (I found a package at my local supermarket.)
• protractor
• string or fishing line
• tape
• scissors
• piece of strong cardboard (optional)
• science journal/notebook

Directions

• Stick the protractor to the piece of cardboard with the tape. Have the straight side on the top. (OPTIONAL STEP)
• Cut a piece of string approximately 12 inches in length.
• Tape one end of the string to the ping pong ball.
• Tape the other end of the string to the center point of the protractor. (see picture above)
• Hold the protractor so that it is upside down.
• The fishing line/string should hang straight down past the 90 degree mark on the protractor.
• Observe as the wind pushes the ping pong ball and string.
• Record the angle measurement into a science or math journal/notebook.
• Use the Table below to convert the angle measurement into a wind speed.

Degrees - Speed (mph)

  90    -      0
  86    -      5
  75    -    10
  59    -    15
  43    -    20
  40    -    21

Instead of making an anemometer, you could use THE BEAUFORT WIND FORCE SCALE to describe wind speed based on observable land (or sea) conditions. Click on the link below.
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/beaufort.html


Enjoy learning about weather!

Learning About Weather Instruments

Meteorologists depend on weather instruments to learn about the weather.

WIND VANE

Here is a list of some of the weather instruments that meteorologists use:

rain gauge - measures rainfall
thermometer - measures temperature
hygrometer - measures amount of moisture in the air
anemometer- measures speed of wind
barometer- measures air pressure
wind vane and wind sock - show the direction of wind


Scholastic Study Jams has a good slide show about Weather Instruments that the kids may enjoy viewing. Click on the link below.
~ Weather Instruments Slide Show


To view directions for making a simple rain gauge click here.

Next week I will post directions for making other simple weather instruments.

Have a great weekend!