CLOUD FORMATIONS

KEY CONCEPTS

  1. Cloud formations occur in three distinct altitudes: low, medium and high.
  2. Cloud formations can be classified and used as a predictive tool in weather forecasting.
 

MATERIALS

  • student journals
  • classroom cloud chart (sample provided)
  • photographic equipment
  • digital cameras
  • camcorder or other movie camera
 
 

PROCEDURE

 
 
 

Activity

  1. Mount a classroom cloud chart as a reference tool for students or provide other images of clouds that have been properly classified.
  2. Discuss the nature of clouds and become familar with their terminology:
  3. Over a period of time, observe cloud formations outside and classify them using the classroom cloud chart for reference. Record the following information in the student journals:
    Date Cloud Name High, Mid, Low Altitude Weather Forecast
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
           
  1. Document the clouds using whatever technology is available in your classroom. Date and label the photographs and attach them to the journals to correspond with cloud entries. Points to remember while taking images of clouds:
    • Take photographs in the morning or late afternoon, but not midday,
    • Do not shoot directly toward the sun, and
    • If using a 35 mm camera, use a polarizing filter to increase the contrast between clouds and the sky.
 
 

Assessment Ideas

  • have students develop and produce their own cloud charts specific to the region that they live in.
  • (Requires Computers and or software) have students create hyperstudio stacks of clouds. The sophistication of the stacks may vary according to grade levels and equipment available to the classroom.
 
 
 

CROSS-CURRICULAR IDEAS

  • Media arts (photography): Have students use the images taken for the above activities as the basis of an art project such as a card.
  • Art: Use clouds as the basis of a study in shapes
  • English/language arts: journaling
  • Math: Use clouds as the central application in the use of the Chaos theory in math.
 
 

VOCABULARY

  • alto: indicative of a medium altitude cloud
  • cirrus: high altitude white clouds resembling curly wisps or feathers
  • cumulus: a thick cloud (appearing piled on a flat base), originating at a low elevation
  • nimbo: indicative of producing rain or snow
 
 

SOURCE

  • Adapted from "Winds of Change" educational CD-ROM, Copyright Caltech and NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory
 
Cirrus clouds
Stratus clouds
Cumulus clouds
Nimbostratus clouds

Cirrostratus clouds

Cirrocumulus clouds

Altostratus clouds
Cumulonimbus clouds