Subject: Science
Grade Level: 5th
Unit Title: Earth Systems, Structures & Processes (5.E.1)
Big Idea/Theme: Weather
Timeframe Needed for Completion:
Grading Period: 1st Nine Weeks
Understandings: Students know that many factors are used to describe and predict weather conditions.
Students will collect and compare weather data in order to predict weather conditions.
Students know that weather conditions are influenced by global factors.
Essential Questions:
 Why does weather change from day to day?
 How do different latitudes affect seasonal weather
patterns?
 How is weather predicted by using basic weather
instruments?
 How can clouds help predict the weather?
 Why do global factors such as air and water currents
influence weather?
Essential Standard and Clarifying Objectives
5.E.1.1 Compare daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions

Wind speed

Wind direction

Precipitation

Temperature

Air Pressure
Also know that different latitudes and hemispheres have different seasonal weather patterns.
5.P.2.1. Explain how the sun’s energy impacts the processes of the water cycle:

Evaporation

Condensation

Precipitation

Transpiration

Run-off
5.P.2.3. Summarize properties of original materials, and new materials formed, to demonstrate that a
change has occurred.
5.E.1.2 Predict upcoming weather events from weather data collected through observation and
measurements using:

Thermometers

Barometers

Anemometers

Wind vane

Rain gauge
Identify atmospheric conditions such as clouds(stratus, cirrus, cumulus) and fronts.
5.E.1.3 Explain how global patterns such as jet stream and water currents influence local weather in
measureable terms such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation.
Essential Skills/Vocabulary:
Assessment Tasks:
Weather
Climate
Precipitation, Evaporation, Condensation, and run-off
Air pressure
Latitudes
Hemispheres
Thermometers
Temperature
Barometers
Anemometers
Wind vane
Wind speed
Wind direction
Rain gauge
Cumulus
Stratus
Cirrus
Fronts
Jet stream
Global Winds
Gulf stream
El Nino/La Nina
Hurricanes
Foldables(types of instruments)
Quizzes/Tests
Class Scape
Teacher observations
Discussions
Mobile (clouds and water cycle)
Models(type of instruments)
Data charts
Materials Suggestions:
Photos/Posters
Experiments
Weather instruments
Data collection charts
Weather channel
Weather wiz kids website
Informational Text/Literature:
Harcourt Science
NC Coach
The Cloud Book by Tomie de Paloa
The Man Who Named the Clouds by Julie Hanna & Joan Holub
Oh Say Can You Say What’s the Weather Today? Dr. Suess
Cloud Collector’s Handbook by Gavin Pretor-Pinney
The Book of Clouds by John A. Day
Cloud Dance by Thomas Locker