Content Area: Science
Quarter: 3Week: 7
TASS/UQ
How do I determine which information, facts, or claims to trust?
Understanding how technology is used to observe and measure weather
conditions helps me identify a reputable weather forecast.
STANDARDS AND INDICATORS
Earth/Space Science
 2.4.E.2 Recognize and describe that each season has different
weather conditions.
Engineering and Technology
 7.3.A.1 Develop an understanding of the characteristics and scope
of technology.
 7.3.C.9 Develop an understanding of engineering design.
SAMPLE LEARNING TASK 1
Compare patterns in precipitation between two areas over a period of
time
Remind students that this marking period they are practicing the
critical thinking skill of evaluation by examining data, making claims
and questioning facts.
Distribute one city weather card (i.e., Weather Cards page 2) to each
student.
Ask: What do you know about the seasonal weather conditions in the
city on your card?
How might you describe seasonal precipitation in your city?
Provide time for students to share ideas and make claims or
predictions in response to the questions.
Pair up students with differing cities (e.g., Anchorage and Honolulu,
Phoenix and Miami, Seattle and Chicago, Baltimore and San
Francisco).
Provide a graphic organizer and time for students to describe,
compare, and record the seasonal weather conditions of the paired
cities.
Ask: How does the precipitation in your city change from season to
season?
How does the seasonal precipitation of your city compare to your
partner’s city (e.g., In Baltimore, there seems to be a consistent
amount of precipitation from season to season, but in San Francisco,
the amount of precipitation is clearly greater in the winter.)?
What seasonal patterns or trends can you describe based on
precipitation data for your city?
How does using precipitation data help you compare precipitation
between cities?
How do you determine what information and facts to use as evidence
to support your claims and descriptions of precipitation between two
areas?
MEASUREMENT
EARTH AND SPACE
Compare patterns in precipitation between two areas over a period of
time
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Use tools to collect data on seasonal weather conditions
RESOURCES
Weather Cards
graphic organizer
WEATHER COLLECTING SHEET