Subject: Earth Science
Grade Level: 9
Unit Title: Meteorology
Big Idea/Theme: Meteorology
Timeframe Needed for Completion: 16 days
Grading Period: 2nd Weeks
Understandings:
 Understand the structure of and processes within our atmosphere.
 Analyze patterns of global climate change over time.
Essential Skills:
EEn.2.5.1 Summarize the structure
and composition of our
atmosphere.
EEn.2.5.2 Explain the formation of
typical air masses and the
weather systems that
result from air mass
interactions.
EEn.2.5.3 Explain how cyclonic
storms form based on the
interaction of air
masses.
EEn.2.5.4 Predict the weather using
available weather maps
and data (including
surface, upper
atmospheric winds, and
satellite imagery).
EEn.2.5.5 Explain how human
activities affect air
quality.
EEn.2.6.1 Differentiate between
weather and climate.
EEn.2.6.2 Explain changes in global
climate due to natural
processes.
EEn.2.6.3 Analyze the impacts that
human activities have on
global climate change
(such as burning
hydrocarbons,
Objectives:
EEn.2.5.1
Summarize information from charts and graphs regarding layers of the atmosphere, temperature, chemical composition,
and interaction with radiant energy.
EEn.2.5.2
• Explain how air masses move (pressure differentials).
• Explain how interactions of air masses form frontal boundaries, clouds,
and affect wind patterns.
Note: Also address precautions for severe cyclonic storms to preserve life and property.
EEn.2.5.3
• Explain factors that affect air density and understand their influence on
winds, air masses, fronts and storm systems.
• Use data to substantiate explanations and provide evidence of various
air mass interactions.
Note: Also address precautions for severe cyclonic storms to preserve life and property.
EEn.2.5.4
• Observe, analyze and predict weather using technological resources.
• Interpret and analyze weather maps and relative humidity charts.
• Explain the importance of water vapor and its influence on weather
(clouds, relative humidity, dew point, precipitation).
Note: Use predictions to develop plans for safety precautions related to severe weather events.
EEn.2.5.5
• Explain how acid rain is formed and how human activities can alter the
pH of rain.
• Infer other human activities that impact the quality of atmospheric
composition. (e.g. aerosols, chlorofluorocarbons, burning, industrial
byproducts, over farming, etc.)
greenhouse effect, and
deforestation).
EEn.2.6.4 Attribute changes to
Earth’s systems to global
climate Change
(temperature change,
changes in pH of ocean,
sea level changes, etc.).
Essential Vocabulary:
Air mass
Cold front
Dry Summer Subtropical Climate
front
Greenhouse effect
Global warming
Humid Subtropical climate
Koppen Climate Classification
system
Marine West Coast Climate
Mesosphere
Occluded Front
Ozone
Polar Zone
Stationary Front
Stratosphere
Subarctic climate
Temperate Zone
Tropical Wet and Dry climate
Tropical Zone
Troposphere
Thermosphere
Warm front
Wet tropical climate
Essential Questions:
 How is Earth’s atmosphere
structured?
 What variables are
measured as scientists
• Exemplify methods to mitigate human impacts on the atmosphere
EEn.2.6.1
• Explain major climate categories (Köppen climate classification system
– temperate, tropical, and polar).
• Compare weather and climate.
EEn.2.6.2
• Summarize natural processes that can and have affected global climate
(particularly El Nino/La Nina, volcanic eruptions, sunspots, shifts in
Earth’s orbit, and carbon dioxide fluctuations).
• Explain the concept of the greenhouse effect including a list of specific
greenhouse gases and why CO2 is most often the focus of public
discussion.
EEn.2.6.3
• Outline how deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels (linked to
increased industrialization) contribute to global climate change.
• Explain how large-scale development contributes to regional changes in
climate (i.e. heat islands in large cities like NY, Chicago, Beijing, etc).
• Analyze actions that can be taken by humans on a local level, as well as
on a larger scale, to mitigate global climate change.
EEn.2.6.4
• Analyze how changes in global temperatures affect the biosphere (ex.
agriculture, species diversity, ecosystem balance).
• Explain how changes in atmospheric composition contribute to ocean
acidification. Analyze its effect on ocean life and its connection to
global climate change.
• Explain how changes in global temperature have and will impact sea
level.
• Analyze how sea level has been affected by other earth processes such
as glaciations and tectonic movements. Consider long- and short-term
changes.



study Earth’s atmosphere
and weather?
What is the role of
technology in monitoring,
predicting, and projecting
climate issues?
How does the atmosphere
interact with the
hydrosphere and
lithosphere?
What are some
relationships between the
atmosphere and the
economy, human impact on
the environment and the
natural environment?
Resources Needed:
www.phschool.com (CJK-9999)
www.SciLinks.org
cjn-6171 Layers of the
atmosphere
cjn-6201 Air Masses
cjn-6203 Fronts and Severe
Weather
cjn-6213 carbon cycle & global
warming
www.wiseowl.org
SAS Curriculum Pathways
www.Learn360.com
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
http://www.earthobservatory.na
sa.gov/
http://www.epa.gov/enviro/inde
x.html
http://www.epic.noaa.gov/epic/i
ndex.html
http://ncar.ucar.edu/
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(
Suggested Activities:
Air Masses, Fronts, and Storms Lab
http://www.colorado.edu/geography/class_homepages/geog_1001_sum11/LabE.pdf
Middle Latitude Cyclones Lab (Prentice Hall)
Air Masses in a Bottle- teacher demo (Prentice Hall)
Weather Map Analysis Lab
http://www.sir-ray.com/Weather%20Map%20Analysis%20Lab.htm
Relative Humidity Lab
http://sharepoint.chiles.leon.k12.fl.us/chasonl/Lists/Assignments/Attachments/659/Humidity%20and%20dew%20point%20labs.doc
Human Impact on Climate and Weather Lab (Prentice Hall)
Modeling Humid Climates teacher demo (Prentice Hall)
Observing How Land and Water Absorb and Release Energy Quick Lab (Prentice hall)
Writing Prompt: How does the latitude, bodies of water, and elevation affect the climate in our area?
Webquest: Will I be treading water?
Webquest: Why study El Nino?
Climate Change video (Learn 36O)
Understanding Weather Concepts video (Learn360)
The Endless Voyage-Going with the Flow video (Learn 360)
Global Warming video (learn 360)
Six Degrees Could Change the World video (Learn 360)
Writing Prompt: How does large scale development in cities such as New York contribute to regional changes in climate?
Writing Prompt: How does deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels contribute to global climate change.
Gh)/guides/mtr/hurr/home.rxml
http://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/
Notes:
Webquest can be found at phschool.com