Unit 1: Weather Key Concepts Discuss temperatures below zero. Draw a number line to review negative numbers. Do some whole-class practice with sample questions. For example, If it was degrees when you woke up but degrees by lunchtime, how much did the temperature increase? Review finding averages and recognizing the mode in data sets. Do some whole-class practice with each of these concepts. Parent Letter Photocopy the parent letter on page, and give each student a copy to take home. This letter explains the topics being studied in this unit and suggests a variety of activities to be completed at home. Activity Sheets Photocopy the activity sheets on pages 17, and have the students complete the activities. Allow the students to use calculators as necessary. Extension Activities Photocopy the list of extension activities on page 18. At the end of the unit, have each student choose one project to complete. Assessment Photocopy the unit assessment on pages, and have the students complete the activities to determine whether or not they have mastered the skills covered in this unit. Allow the students to use calculators as necessary. 2
Unit 1: Weather Dear Parents/Guardians: We are currently learning about weather and the math skills used to solve weather-related problems. During this unit, your child will learn about finding the difference between high and low temperatures for the day, gathering weather data from charts and tables, and calculating rainfall averages. At the end of the unit, your child will complete a project that demonstrates his or her ability to solve weather-related math problems. To extend your child s learning, any at-home practice you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Below are several suggestions. Watch the weather report on TV, and/or read the weather report in the newspaper with your child. Talk about the differences in temperatures, amounts of precipitation, etc. in various places around the world. Visit web sites like www.weather.com and www.nws.noaa.gov with your child to gather more weather information. For a few days, help your child keep track of the weather conditions in the places where friends and family members live. Together, compare the weather conditions in these places. Read books together about weather topics to learn about the tools used to measure the weather. Practice reading an outdoor thermometer as well as making and checking predictions about the temperature. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely,
Varied Temperatures When planning what to wear for the day, it is important to know what the high and low temperatures will be. You need to be prepared for both. If there is not a big difference between the two temperatures, you will probably wear the same thing all day. If there is going to be a big difference, you might want to layer your clothes. In addition, if there is a chance of rain or snow, you might need to wear a coat and shoes that will stay dry in these weather conditions. Directions: Review the weather information for the week. Calculate the difference between the high and the low temperatures for each day. Then, make some generalizations about the type of clothes you would wear during the week. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunny Mostly Sunny Chance of T-Storms Chance of T-Storms 7 2 66 9 72 6 76 6 1. Difference in Sunday s high and low temperatures: 2. Difference in Monday s high and low temperatures:. Difference in Tuesday s high and low temperatures:. Difference in Wednesday s high and low temperatures:. Difference in Thursday s high and low temperatures: 6. Difference in Friday s high and low temperatures: 7. Difference in Saturday s high and low temperatures: This week, I would wear
Record s and s In most places, temperatures and other weather-related information are recorded so that people will know what the weather and climate are like in that area. The highest and lowest temperatures for each area are usually recorded. These temperatures can vary greatly depending on the time of year and other related factors. and low temperatures can even change from year to year in the same location. Directions: Use the table below to answer the questions that follow. Record s and s in January for San Antonio, Texas (in F) Date Year Year 1 8 26 28 2 86 26 79 86 89 16 8 97 17 81 21 17 72 6 8 89 2 72 7 86 2 1 1886 8 8 2 6 1886 9 8 17 12 1886 1 86 6 17 62 Source: The Weather Channel, www.weather.com 1. What is the difference between the record high and low temperatures for January 8? 2. In what year was the highest temperature recorded for January?. How many years ago was the record low temperature set for January 9?
Wind Chill Sometimes the temperature feels colder than it actually is. This is true when the temperature is low and the wind is blowing. Wind chill is a term that means the apparent temperature felt on your skin. It takes into account both the temperature and the wind speed. Directions: Use the chart below to answer the questions that follow. Wind Chill Chart Temperature ( F) Wind (mph) Calm 1 2 6 6 2 29 28 28 27 26 26 1 27 2 2 22 21 2 18 17 21 17 16 1 1 12 12 1 1 9 8 7 6 2 1 9 6 1 1 2 7 2 8 9 1 1 1 12 1 17 18 1 1 17 21 2 2 2 27 29 1 2 29 1 6 8 9 1 28 2 9 1 6 8 28 9 2 6 8 1 2 2 1 8 1 8 6 61 62 1 8 6 62 6 6 67 68 69 6 8 61 6 67 69 2 6 2 9 6 68 6 8 9 81 82 8 66 8 8 82 8 86 88 89 91 6 2 7 81 8 87 89 91 9 9 97 98 Frostbite T imes minutes 1 minutes minutes 1. What is the wind chill if the temperature is degrees and the wind is blowing at miles per hour? 2. What is the wind chill if the temperature is 1 degrees and the wind is blowing at miles per hour?. What is the wind chill if the temperature is degrees and the wind is blowing at miles per hour?