Cloud in a Bag

Designed by: Christine LeBlanc, A.C. Moore Elementary

Grade: Kindergarten              Subject: Science

CORE CURRICULUM OBJECTIVE(S):  Observe and identify the causes of change in the environment (such as rain to ice; rock to soil) (KSPS-5)

OVERVIEW:  Students will explore water in the three states of matter to investigate how clouds and rain form. Students will make a model of the water cycle and record their observations over a period of time using a digital camera.

FOCUS/ESSENTIAL QUESTION(S):

What is water?

Where can you find water?

Does water always look the same? Explain.

How does water change?

What would happen if we put some ice in a bag and taped it to the window?

Does the sun change water?

How can we use the digital camera to record our observations?

What observations can you make about what happened to the ice/water in the bag? (Repeat daily as needed)

What do you call the water that formed at the top of the bag? (rain, condensation)

How did the water get to the top of the bag?

TIME FRAME: Two thirty minute lessons. Ten minute observation times for 5-7 days or as needed.

RESOURCES/MATERIALS:

Ziplock quart size bags water chart paper markers digital camera paper plate construction paper cotton balls blue cellophane paper yarn

Books: 

Can It Rain Cats and Dogs : Questions and Answers About Weather, by Melvin Berger 

The Cloud Book, by Tomie dePaola 

Little Cloud, by Eric Carle 

All Weather Friends, by Udo Weigelt 

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, by Judi Barrett 

Chloe's Rainy Day,by Annie Mitra.

Software: 

Science Blaster Jr. (Knowledge Adventure) 

SkyWorks: Clouds and Weather(Science Works) 

Encyclopedia of Science-Eyewitness Science (DK Interactive Learning)

Internet sites:

http://www.outerorbit.com/lplans/lp034k.htm http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/water/climate/sercc/education_collection.html http://www.whnt19.com/kidwx/clouds.htm http://inspire.ospi.wednet.edu:8001/curric/weather/pricloud/index.html

CULMINATING ASSESSMENT:

Teacher observation and completed student project.

CLOUD IN A BAG RUBRIC

(+) Mastered objectives (/) Needs more time to develop (*) Not observed/not yet

Student follows directions

Student identifies the three states of water (solid - ice, liquid - water, gas - vapor/cloud) 

Model of water cycle: Student identifies water source, evaporation, condensation. 

Student correctly sequences steps in the water cycle.

INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES:

Students and teacher will sit outside and observe clouds. Students will discuss what they know about clouds and teacher will document their ideas on a WHAT WE KNOW chart shaped like a cloud. Teacher will share the books Can It Rain Cats and Dogs : Questions and Answers About Weather, by Melvin Berger and The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola.

Teacher will show the students pieces of ice and let the students explore the ice while asking questions such as "What is ice made of?" How is ice formed? What will happen to the ice if we leave it outside? What is melting the ice? Have students place ice cubes in a ziplock bag and after the exploration time outside , bring the bags back to the classroom and secure on a board or tape them directly on a window that receives sunlight. Direct students use a digital camera to take a photograph of the bags. Discuss the process of observing the bag throughout the week.

Each day allow students to make observations about any changes occurring to the water in the bag. Caution them to only look at this point, touching the bags could limit seeing any condensation that occurs. After a couple of days, depending on weather condition, the bags should have evidence of condensation. Students continue taking pictures of the bags.

The final part of the lesson will involve students sequencing the photographs of the investigation. Teacher will lead students in a discussion of how the bags relate to clouds and rain. Teacher will introduce the words evaporation and condensation and students will help the teacher complete a picture of the water cycle. Individually the students will make their own model of the water cycle as follows:

1. Cut a paper plate in half . 

2. Students will write their name on the plate. 

3. Students may decorate one side of the plate to look like a rainbow. 

4. Students will glue the sequenced digital photographs to the other side of the plate. 

5. Punch a hole in the center at the top, and punch 4 holes equally spaced along the bottom side of the plate. 

6. Tie pieces of yarn to each hole in the plate. 

7. Use construction paper to make a sun, make a hole punch at the top, and secure it to the first piece of yarn on the bottom of the plate. 

8. Next cut a cloud shape out of paper and glue on cotton balls. Make a hole punch at the top of the cloud and tie to the second piece of yarn on the bottom of the plate. 

9. Make the rain by taking a rectangular piece of blue cellophane and cut slits lengthwise 3/4 of the way up the rectangle. Carefully punch a hole at the top and tie this to the last piece of yarn on the bottom of the plate. 

10. Finally, hang the model of the water cycle by the top piece of yarn.

Enrichment Activities:

1. Students will create cloud pictures using sponge paints.

2. Students can write poetry about clouds using metaphors and similes to describe how clouds resemble other things and objects.

3. Students can make rain paintings by placing paper with powdered tempera paint on it outside during a rain storm.

4. Take pictures of clouds and use pictures to graph the weather each day