Teacher+Page

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Introduction:
This Weather WebQuest will aid students understanding of weather and climate. Weather WebQuest is a curriculum web that introduces students to weather and climate. Students will complete assignments that will acquaint them with information about weather and climate.



Rationale:
Through this curriculum web, students will explore the topics of weather and climate. These skills are required by both North Carolina and National Science Foundation (NSF).

As per the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, the goals for grade seven: Seventh grade science builds on the concepts and skills acquired in kindergarten through sixth grade. Instructional design should provide opportunities for understanding: the unifying concepts of science, the strands, conceptual goals and objectives. Connections to mathematics, technology, social science, and communication skills should be considered for instructional design. To assist teachers with instruction, materials explaining Unifying Concepts, Strands, Goals and Objectives with specific recommendations for classroom, laboratory, and/or field experiences are available through the Department of Public Instruction.

It is important that the nature of the adolescent be at the core of all curricula. Middle school students are undergoing extensive psychological, physiological, and social changes, which make them curious, energetic, and egocentric. Middle school science provides opportunities to channel the interests and concerns of adolescents, provided it maximizes their exposure to high interest topics. Middle school learners need to see a direct relationship between science education and daily life. Investigations designed to help students learn about themselves and their world motivate them. Designing technological solutions and pondering benefits and risks should be an integral part of the middle school science experience. As students take the initiative to learn science and technology, they will learn about themselves, their community and potential career paths. The confidence to pursue such personal goals can be instilled through successful science experience.

 Prerequisites:
Before using the Weather WebQuest, students should be able to:
 * Read at at least a fifth grade level
 * Use a browser to move between web pages
 * Be able to "copy and paste" text from web pages to a word processor
 * Be able to work cooperatively in teams to accomplish shared goals. (Students who do not have experience with cooperative learning may need additional supervision or preparation.)

 Curriculum:
Competency Goal 3: The learner will conduct investigations and utilize appropriate technologies and information systems to build an understanding of the atmosphere. 3.01 Explain the composition, properties and structure of the atmosphere: 3.02 Describe properties that can be observed and measured to predict air quality: 3.03 Conclude that the good health of environments and organisms requires: 3.04 Evaluate how humans impact air quality including: 3.05 Examine evidence that atmospheric properties can be studied to predict atmospheric conditions and weather hazards: 3.06 Assess the use of technology in studying atmospheric phenomena and weather hazards:
 * Mixture of gases.
 * Stratified layers.
 * Each layer has distinct properties.
 * As altitude increases, air pressure decreases.
 * Equilibrium.
 * Particulate matter.
 * Ozone.
 * The monitoring of air quality.
 * Taking steps to maintain healthy air quality.
 * Stewardship.
 * Air quality standards.
 * Point and non-point sources of air pollution in North Carolina.
 * Financial and economic trade-offs.
 * Local air quality issues.
 * Humidity.
 * Temperature.
 * Wind speed and direction.
 * Air pressure.
 * Precipitation.
 * Tornados.
 * Hurricanes.
 * Floods.
 * Storms.
 * Satellites.
 * Weather maps.
 * Predicting.
 * Recording.
 * Communicating information about conditions.

 Goals & Objectives:
This curriculum web was developed by a middle school teacher. I wanted to improve the students understanding of weather and climate by using a fun and exciting method to keep the student's attention.

 Learning Objectives:
· Students will locate and graph weather data for Sanford, NC, a city within the United States, and a city outside the United States. · Students will make a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Climate and Weather. · Students will make a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting Hurricanes and Tornadoes. · Students will design an illustration of the different types of clouds and their altitude s. · Students will design an illustration of the water cycle. · Students will design a product of your choice debating whether Global Warming is connected to humans. · Students will add at least 5 terms and illustration of weather terms to the glossary page. · Students will successfully pass the Exam View test on weather.

 Instructional Plan:
This WebQuest was built on the idea that students entering 7th grade do not possess intimate knowledge of weather and climate. Students can work individually or in pairs. Teachers have the option to decide how whether students work by themselves or with a partner.

Students can work on the WebQuest in any order they prefer, but they must complete the entire WebQuest in order to receive full credit. A rubric is inluded so that they can preview what is required of them to learn and produce.

The links under each process will aid the students in their learning. Students are also given the option to look further and at different sites to obtain their information.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(0, 40, 255); background-color: rgb(255, 250, 0)"> Enrichment:
Students can be given the option to present their WebQuest in electronic format, access other sites of their choosing, add discussion under the discussion tab, and aid other students in their learning.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(0, 40, 255); background-color: rgb(255, 250, 0)"> Materials:

 * Internet Access
 * Graph Paper
 * Coloring utensils
 * Word processing program
 * Spreadsheet program

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; color: rgb(0, 40, 255); background-color: rgb(255, 250, 0)"> Assessment:
See Rubric for the individual requirements


 * Completion of the WebQuest
 * Successful passing of the exam