Cloud in a Jar Observation Booklet

Contributor
Kristen Smith via Teachers Pay Teachers
Type Category
Instructional Materials
Types
Activity
Note
This resource, vetted by NSTA curators, is provided to teachers along with suggested modifications to make it more in line with the vision of the NGSS. While not considered to be "fully aligned," the resources and expert recommendations provide teachers with concrete examples and expert guidance using the EQuIP rubric to adapted existing resources. Read more here.

Reviews

Description

This free TeachersPayTeachers resource is a booklet that includes a KWL, observation pages, and writing activities about clouds to enrich "the cloud in a jar" activity. It does not include directions for making a cloud in a jar.

Intended Audience

Educator
Educational Level
  • Grade 2
  • Grade 1
  • Kindergarten
  • Early Elementary
  • Elementary School
  • Pre-Kindergarten
Language
English
Access Restrictions

Free access with user action - The right to view and/or download material without financial barriers but users are required to register or experience some other low-barrier to use.

Performance Expectations

K-ESS2-1 Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.

Clarification Statement: Examples of qualitative observations could include descriptions of the weather (such as sunny, cloudy, rainy, and warm); examples of quantitative observations could include numbers of sunny, windy, and rainy days in a month. Examples of patterns could include that it is usually cooler in the morning than in the afternoon and the number of sunny days versus cloudy days in different months.

Assessment Boundary: Assessment of quantitative observations limited to whole numbers and relative measures such as warmer/cooler.

This resource was not designed to build towards this performance expectation, but can be used to build towards it using the suggestions provided below.

Comments about Including the Performance Expectation
To meet the Performance Expectation, the teacher would need to" relate the "cloud in a jar" activity to local weather conditions. The instructor needs to provide some form of visual, i.e. book, video, local outdoor observations, or do the investigation of "cloud in a jar" in order to utilize the materials. A website that describes the "cloud in a jar" activity is www.kidspot.com.au/things-to-do/activities/how-to-make-a-cloud-in-a-jar.

Science and Engineering Practices

This resource was not designed to build towards this science and engineering practice, but can be used to build towards it using the suggestions provided below.

Comments about Including the Science and Engineering Practice
Students would need prior experiences observing local weather (specifically cloud types) to meet this Practice. Allow students to share their observations and drawings with one another and/or the class in order to fully address this practice.

Disciplinary Core Ideas

This resource was not designed to build towards this disciplinary core idea, but can be used to build towards it using the suggestions provided below.

Comments about Including the Disciplinary Core Idea
In order to meet the Disciplinary Core Idea, students would need to relate the "cloud in a jar" activity to local weather conditions. Local weather conditions would need to be measured and recorded over time. Use the cloud type KWL with students on multiple occasions while observing clouds outdoors in order to track and discuss changes over time, taking note of temperature and weather conditions at the time of the observations. When different types of clouds are observed the recording sheets in the booklet could be used.

Crosscutting Concepts

This resource was not designed to build towards this crosscutting concept, but can be used to build towards it using the suggestions provided below.

Comments about Including the Crosscutting Concept
In order to meet the Crosscutting Concept, students would need to relate the "cloud in a jar" activity to actual clouds. Cloud patterns over time would have to be observed and recorded. Use the recording sheets in this resource to record observations. Have students compare their recording sheets and identify patterns observed over time.

Resource Quality

  • Alignment to the Dimensions of the NGSS: The activity is limited in scope. It is grade-appropriate for K-2 and could be used as an introduction or follow-up to a complete weather unit. Students can observe clouds and use the recording sheets to show patterns to make sense of phenomena. The seller has a complete weather unit for sale on the same TPT website.

  • Instructional Supports: This activity is limited to an introduction or follow-up to a weather unit. In a full unit, students would need to investigate and explain relevant phenomena. The recording sheets and KWL chart provide opportunities for students to express, clarify, justify, interpret, and represent their ideas in written form as appropriate to support student’s three-dimensional learning.

  • Monitoring Student Progress: The student recording sheets could be used as an assessment to show that students understand that weather patterns that include cloud formation can be observed.

  • Quality of Technological Interactivity: There is no technology required for this resource.