Learning Guide: Catastrophic Events-Weather
Alabama State Standards:
1.) Identify global patterns of atmospheric movement, including El Niño, the Gulf Stream, the jet
stream, the Coriolis Effect, and global winds that influence local weather.
• Predicting local weather and weather patterns
• Describing the function of instruments and technology used to investigate Earth's weather, including
barometers, thermometers, wind socks, weather vanes, satellites, radar, weather balloons, and rain
gauges
• Using lines of latitude and longitude to locate areas of specific weather events
• Interpreting weather data through observations collected over time
2.) Describe factors that cause changes to Earth's surface over time.
• Comparing constructive and destructive natural processes and their effects on land formations
Weather Vocabulary:
Air mass
Radiation
Air pressure
Vortex
Catastrophic
Warning
Condensation
Watch
Evaporation
Weather
Globe
Wind
Map
Supporting Activities: The lessons covered will require many hands-on activities in the classroom
with reflective follow up at home. It will be very important for students to actively participate during
class so they will be able to complete required follow up activities at home. Students will study for the
unit test using the materials gathered throughout the unit. It will be helpful to review materials daily.
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Lesson 1: Thinking About Catastrophic Events
Lesson 2: Introducing Storms
Lesson 3: Heating Earth’s Surface
Lesson 4: Heat Transfer and the Movement of Air
Lesson 5: Convection Currents in the Air
Lesson 6: Temperature, Pressure, and Cloud Formation
Lesson 7: Ocean Currents and Global Climate
Lesson 8: Storms Review (review questions for study given here) and Assessment
Lesson 9: Exploring risks Through an Anchor Activity
Big Idea Questions: Students should be able to provide details about these questions and how
they relate to weather events experienced on Earth as we complete each section of study.
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What is a catastrophic event?
How does the Sun’s energy heat Earth?
Are all parts of Earth’s surface heated at the same rate?
How does the uneven heating of Earth’s surface cause air to move?
How do heat transfer and air movement lead to storms?
How can ocean currents affect weather?
Resources: Red Science Explorer--Chapters 15, 16 (sections 1& 2), 17, 18 (section 2) and AMSTI lessons 19 of Catastrophic Events book.
Learning Guide: Catastrophic Events-Weather