Unit 4 (2026):

Weather & Climate

OVERVIEW OF UNIT: The transfer of thermal energy and water within Earth's spheres are responsible for atmospheric and oceanic currents, which result in global weather and climate patterns.

learning goals unit concept check vocabulary

STUDY TOOLS

[notes, video clips, textbook readings, answer keys, review games]

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WATER CYCLE & CLOUDS

4.1 textbook answer key (water cycle & humidity)
4.2 textbook answer key (cloud formation, types)
Energy Budget Diagram
Water cycle diagram
Cloud game (Kahoot) (DIRECTIONS: click 'review game' link, 'play', 'start now', 'classic', use a 2nd device to sign in with the 6 digit code, play the game) (NOTE: you can only play against people that are in the same room so you can all read the questions in the game.) (Answer key: this is provided just in case you do not have 2 devices to play the actual game from home.)

WEATHER & FORECASTING

Forecasting Tools Practice (Stations + Answer Keys)
Instrument Game (Kahoot) (DIRECTIONS: click 'review game' link, 'play', 'start now', 'classic', use a 2nd device to sign in with the 6 digit code, play the game) (NOTE: you can only play against people that are in the same room so you can all read the questions in the game.) (Answer key: this is provided just in case you do not have 2 devices to play the actual game from home.)
4.4 Textbook Answer Key (air masses & fronts)
Air Masses & Fronts (slide show notes: facts & pictures)
Air masses impact weather (diagrams)
Fronts Matching Activity (question/answer practice)
Air Masses & Fronts Diagrams (speed, air density, clouds. precipitation)
Weather Map Forecasting Game [User name: HMSscience1 (the number can be any of the following; 1,33,44,8,99), Password: HMSstudy1 (the number can be any of the following but must coordinate with the number used in the username; 1,33,44,8,99). Do not try keep logging in and messing it up more than 5 times or you will lock up the system for a 5 minute time period. Note: Once you login, go to 'games', 'member games', 'weather'. Play 'Report the Weather' to get used to how to read the directions and use the game buttons'. Play 'Predict the Weather' to practice forecasting, this is the main, age appropriate game that coordinates what we are learning in class!]

CLIMATE (CAUSE & CHANGES)

5.1 textbook answer key (What causes various climates?)
5.2 textbook answer key (climates characteristics)
5.3 textbook answer key (evidence of climate change)

STUDY

Weather & Climate Unit Review Game (DIRECTIONS: click 'review game' link, 'play', 'start now', 'classic', use a 2nd device to sign in with the 6 digit code, play the game) (NOTE: you can only play against people that are in the same room so you can all read the questions in the game.) (Answer key: this is provided just in case you do not have 2 devices to play the actual game from home.)

LAB/PROJECT RESOURCES

[online simulations , rubrics, research websites, current event articles]

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WATER CYCLE & CLOUDS

Nasa's Citizen Science Project: (website)
Current Surface Winds (google maps)
Energy Budget (simulation)
NASA's CERES S'COOL Project (enter weather data online)
GLOBE Observer (citizen science data entry opportunity, available in an app too)
Clouds & Instruments: Extra Credit (activity)
Water Cycle Stages (video)
Water vapor (major greenhouse gas) (video)
Cloud Types (altitude, pictures) (video)
Formation of Clouds (video)
Amazing/Weird Clouds! (pictures)
Cloud ID practice (250 interactive picture & answers)

WEATHER & FORECASTING

Map Reading Stations (Class Activity)
Map Reading Stations (Class Activity: Answer Keys)
Current Weather Maps (shows fronts, radar, isobars)
Create a Station Model Symbol (electronically)

CLIMATE (CAUSE & CHANGES)

Climate Cause Activity (variables that influence climate regions)
Interactive Climate Map (website)
Climate Project Rubric (categories & point values) - getting started - Climate Map Activity (directions & links) - climate cause summary (example paragraph)

old resources ...

OLD RESOURCES:
EXTREME WEATHER PROJECT...    - checklist of requirements + points=    - climate change resources
-Hurricane Matthew News (flooding concern, route, strength-category 4)-Project Examples (posted in the google classroom)    - topic: climate change's impact on extreme weather

CLIMATE . . . Climate & Technology Development Project (2016)     - rubric (details & points)     - model options        -blueprints online (example)        -3-D electronic (my.sketchup.com)                - sketch up directions to get started          OR... tinkercad.com        -3-D model ideas (example), more ex
   -FINAL COPY TIPS/GUIDANCE

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