Grade 3/4

Have you ever wondered what clouds are made of?

How do they get into the sky?

If you want to know all about clouds, how to have fun

with clouds, and how to tell what kind of weather is coming, then you have come to the right place.

Your Challenge: A cloud specialist is needed at the local meteorologist center. You are to create a cloud portfolio consisting of you knowledge about clouds. Be ready to share your knowledge with others and present your portfolio to the head of the Weather Station. (Hint: if you answer the following questions and you visit the following sites, you will really impress the head of the weather center.)

Have you ever walked through a cloud, or flown through one in an air plane? Clouds are not made of cotton or marshmallows like you used to think. When you walk through fog it is damp. Fog is another form of a cloud. Fog is close to the ground. Why does fog feel damp? Well all clouds are made of tiny water droplets hanging in the air. However, some clouds are made of tiny ice crystals because the air is so cold.

Clouds come into existence wherever moist air is cooled to it’s dew point-the temperature at which the air becomes saturated (full) of water. So if you look at the water cycle the sun evaporates the water into the air but as the sun goes down the air cools, with all the water in the air. The moist air goes higher into the atmosphere. As the water rises the atmospheric pressure decreases so the moist air expands into clouds. When the air cannot hold anymore water, we get precipitation.

http://www.triviaplanet.com/clouds.htm

http://www.mtnbrook.k12.al.us/ces/gr6/6BR/CloudsP2/sld010.htm

http://resources.yesican.yorku.ca/lpdd/g02/demos/clouds.html

The size and shape of the clouds depends on the air temperature around the cloud when it is forming.

http://spaceplace.jpl.nasa.gov/cloudsat_puz2.htm

Do you ever just stare up at the sky and see things in the clouds?

If you want to test your ability to see things in the clouds check this site out. You will be amazed at the resemblances. (Hint: A great piece to add to your folder is a cloud that you paint, color, or draw that looks like something. Tell what the cloud looks like, and what kind of cloud is it. (Cumulus, cirrus, or stratus).

http://www.pals.iastate.edu/carlson/bunny.html

To learn about clouds and where they are in the atmosphere:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/planets/earth/clouds

Quiz yourself on the types of clouds by going to:(Hint: this would be a great piece for you folder: Print it out and add it to you collection)

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/astronomy/activities/label/cloudsimple/

Quiz what you learned go to: (Hint: this would be a great piece for you folder! Print it out and add it to your collection.)

http://www.linktolearning.com/weather/clouds.htm

Created by Bridget Ferrin University of Vermont