Clouds
A WebQuest for 4th Grade Science
Designed By:
Mrs. DeMichael
Kidder Elementary
Introduction

Have you ever looked up into the sky and spotted a cloud that
looked like an animal or some kind of object? Have you ever seen
dark, thick clouds and knew a storm was coming soon? Each type of
cloud is unique in its own way. The colors and shapes of clouds are
characteristics that can help us identify clouds. There are certain
types of clouds. Each type of cloud is categorized by certain
characteristics. You have probably seen every cloud type at least
once in your lifetime. However, even though you may have seen
every cloud type there is in the World doesn’t mean you know
everything about clouds.

This WebQuest will help you become cloud experts. At the end of
this WebQuest you will be able to identify the different types of
clouds and you will understand the characteristics of every type of
cloud.
Task
 You
will research different types of clouds using
this WebQuest.
 You will take the information you’ve learned from
this WebQuest to help you create your very own
Cloud magazine.
Process
1.
2.
First you will open your science notebooks to a new page. You
will use your notebooks to take notes and write down important
information about clouds that you have learned throughout this
WebQuest. Write down anything that you would like to refer to
such as the names of different cloud types, the characteristics of
each cloud type, a picture of each cloud type, etc. Your notes will
be helpful when it comes time to create your Cloud Magazine.
For the set of questions you come across during the WebQuest,
write the answers down on a separate piece of paper. The paper
should include your name at the top. The questions must be
answered in complete sentences. When you are finished answering
the questions, you will place it in the “all done” pile. The
questions will be corrected and handed back to you the next day.
Save these because they will help you with your Cloud Magazine
creation.
Process (Continued)
3.
4.
When you have completed this WebQuest you may begin
designing your own Cloud Magazine.
Your Cloud Magazine must include the following:
-A cover page that includes the title and your name. You may
include any pictures too.
-A separate page for each type of cloud. Each page must include
the name of the cloud, a picture/drawing of the cloud, and a
description of the cloud. Use specific details, characteristics and/or
examples. Be creative!
* Materials for the creation of your magazine will be provided by
the teacher.
Good Luck with your journey throughout this
Cloud WebQuest!!
Clouds
Visit this website for an introduction of cloud types:
http://meteorologyclimatology.suite101.com/article.cfm/cloud_charact
eristic_classes
Answer the following questions on a separate piece of paper with the
help from the web link above.

Question Set:
1.) Name the 10 main types of clouds.
2.) Name and describe the 4 main types of clouds based on
appearance.
3.) Name and describe the 3 types of clouds based on altitude.
4.) What are the two things clouds are classified by?
5.)What is the name of the clouds that are low-layered and cause
gray overcast skies?
Cirrus Clouds
Visit these websites to learn more about Cirrus clouds:
http://www.cityofportsmouth.com/school/dondero/msm/weat
her/cirrus.html

http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/cldtyp/hg
h/crs.rxml
** Be sure to take notes. You should include Cirrus Clouds
in your magazine.
Cirrostratus Clouds
Visit these websites to learn more about Cirrostratus
clouds:
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/cldtyp/hg
h/crss.rxml

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/
clouds/cirrostratus.html
**Be sure to take notes. You should include Cirrostratus
Clouds in your magazine.
Cirrocumulus Clouds
Visit these websites to learn more about Cirrocumulus
clouds:
http://mmem.spschools.org/grade5science/weather/cirrocum
ulus.html

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/
clouds/cirrocumulus.html
**Be sure to take notes. You should include Cirrostratus
clouds in your magazine.
Altostratus Clouds
Visit these websites to learn more about Altostratus
clouds:
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/
clouds/altostratus.html

http://mmem.spschools.org/grade5science/weather/altostratu
s.html
**Be sure to take notes. You should include Altostratus
clouds in your magazine.
Altocumulus Clouds

Visit these websites to learn more about Altocumulus
clouds:
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/
clouds/altocumulus.html
http://mmem.spschools.org/grade5science/weather/altocumu
lus.html
**Be sure to take notes. You should include Altocumulus
clouds in your magazine.
Stratus Clouds

Visit these websites to learn more about Stratus clouds:
http://www.cityofportsmouth.com/School/dondero/msm/wea
ther/stratus.html
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/
clouds/stratus.html
**Be sure to take notes. You should include Stratus clouds
in your magazine.
Stratocumulus Clouds

Visit these websites to learn more about stratocumulus
clouds:
http://mmem.spschools.org/grade5science/weather/stratocum
ulus.html
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/cldtyp/lw
/strcu.rxml
**Be sure to take notes. You should include Stratocumulus
clouds in your magazine.
Nimbostratus Clouds

Visit these websites to learn more about Nimbostratus
clouds:
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/cldtyp/lw
/nbstr.rxml
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/
clouds/nimbostratus.html
**Be sure to take notes. You should include Nimbostratus
clouds in your magazine.
Cumulus Clouds

Visit these websites to learn more about Cumulus clouds:
http://www.cityofportsmouth.com/School/dondero/msm/wea
ther/cumulus.html
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/
clouds/cumulus.html
**Be sure to take notes. You should include Cumulus clouds
in your magazine.
Cumulonimbus Clouds

Visit these websites to learn more about Cumulonimbus
clouds:
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Atmosphere/
clouds/cumulonimbus.html
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/cld/cldtyp/vrt
/cb.rxml
**Be sure to take notes. You should include Cumulonimbus
clouds in your magazine.
Interactive Cloud Games

Play this cloud match game!
http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/cloudmatch.html
Play this cloud concentration game!
http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/concentration/concen2.html

Evaluation

The Question set is worth 10 points.
-There are 5 total questions, each correct answer is worth 2 points.

Notes are worth 20 points.
-Notes will be collected and graded by the teacher. You will receive
20 points if your notes are accurate, providing details for each of the
ten types of clouds. Your notes will provide evidence that you
researched the cloud types using the WebQuest.

The Cloud Magazine is worth 70 points.
-Your cloud magazine should include 10 different cloud types. Your
grade depends on the accuracy of information, organization and
creativeness.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You Have completed the Cloud
WebQuest.
 You have become a cloud expert. You have learned about
the different types of clouds and the ways clouds are
classified. Next time you look up into the sky you will be
able to recognize the types of clouds you see. Try to
impress your friends and family by naming the clouds!
 Here are some additional websites that you may use if you
enjoy learning about clouds or want to learn more about
clouds:

http://www.wxdude.com/page9.html
http://42explore.com/clouds.htm
http://www.geo.mtu.edu/department/classes/ge406/tjbrabec/cloud.html