Read the science passages. Then answer the questions that follow. Signs in the Sky by Michelle August 1 Today, every news channel has a weather person. They can predict the weather for days, even weeks in advance. The science of meteorology involves using special machines to track weather systems. But long before people had this kind of technology, they could predict the weather. How did they do it? By observing the natural world. 2 For as long as people have grown their own food, they have wanted to predict the weather. Knowing the signs that told of coming rain or storms was important. Over many centuries, human beings learned to watch the sky for signs of coming weather. They even made up special sayings to help them remember the signs. Today, modern scientists have discovered something. Some of those old-fashioned sayings were right! Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailors delight. 3 This is a weather saying that is at least half right. Storm systems usually move from west to east. A red sunset in the west usually means that a high pressure system, or dry weather, is coming. Sunrises, on the other hand, can be red for a variety of reasons. Today, weather satellites track the movement of storms. But it is still fun to remember the old saying! Ring around the moon, rain s coming soon. 4 Sometimes the moon appears to have a ring around it. This happens when there are high clouds in the sky. Those high clouds contain water and ice. The moonlight shines through the tiny pieces of ice. They make the halo appear. That same water and ice can soon fall as rain. So, this old saying is another one that rings true! 205
When clouds appear like rocks and towers, the earth s refreshed with frequent showers. 5 Have you ever watched clouds? Some clouds are thin and spread out. These are called cumulus clouds. They rarely carry rain. Other clouds are called cumulonimbus clouds. Strong winds cause these clouds to grow tall like towers. Heavy water in the clouds makes them look dark like rocks. These clouds almost always bring storms. 6 Today, we have all kinds of technology to predict the weather. Weather satellites travel into space. Weather software tracks storm patterns. But if all else fails, just look at the sky. The signs are there! Mapping Sunshine and Rain by Krista O Connell 1 Weather is important to all people. A farmer s field can be ruined if the weather is hot and dry. A picnic can be spoiled by rain. People like to know what the weather will be like tomorrow, three days from now, and even next week. This is now possible thanks to the science of meteorology. The Weather Map 2 One of the tools used to predict the weather is a weather map. Scientists use special machines to create these maps. These machines are used to collect information about conditions in the sky. What Weather Maps Can Tell Us 3 A weather map might look complicated. But the truth is that most people can make weather predictions using a map like the sample one at the bottom of the next page. You just need to know what the shapes, symbols, and letters mean. Look at the map as you read along. 4 First, a weather map shows the places where weather fronts are found. Two main types of fronts are warm fronts and cold fronts. Both form when cooler air and hotter air meet. The map shows the symbols for each type of front. Warm fronts often bring rain and clouds. Cold fronts bring clear skies and cooler weather. 206
5 Second, a weather map shows any weather systems in the area. These can be high pressure or low pressure systems. They are shown on the map by the letters H and L. Both types move from west to east. High pressure systems often result in nice, sunny weather. Low pressure systems are likely to cause rain. 6 Third, maps show what type of weather these fronts and systems will cause. The map shows that the cold front in Denver is expected to bring snow. The cold front between Atlanta and Miami will likely bring showers and thunderstorms. Replacing Signs in the Sky with Sound Science 7 It s true that looking into the sky can give some clues about what the weather will be in the near future. Most of us have seen the dark clouds that fill the sky before a thunderstorm. The color of the sky and the look of the moon can provide other clues. 8 People no longer have to make a guess about the weather. There are now maps like the one below as well as other tools. These can help meteorologists 1 make very exact weather forecasts. They can also help predict the weather well before it ever arrives. 1 meteorologists: scientists who study and predict weather U.S. Winter Weather Map San Francisco Helena L Denver Minneapolis Detroit Chicago Kansas City L H Boston New York Philadelphia Washington, D.C. Weather Fog Rain Shower Snow Thunderstorm Pressure Systems H High L Low Dallas Houston Atlanta L Miami Fronts Cold Warm 207
1 Which of the following sentences from Signs in the Sky best describes the photograph on page 206? A The moonlight shines through the tiny pieces of ice. B C Some of those old-fashioned sayings were right! Strong winds cause these clouds to grow tall like towers. D Weather software tracks storm patterns. Answer Form 1 A B C D 2 A B C D 4 A B C D 5 A B C D 6 A B C D 7A A B C D Number Correct 6 2 Read these two sentences from paragraph 3 of Signs in the Sky. A red sunset in the west usually means that a high pressure system, or dry weather, is coming. Sunrises, on the other hand, can be red for a variety of reasons. How are these two sentences connected? A The sentences contrast red sunsets and red sunrises. B C The sentences compare dry weather to high pressure systems. The sentences explain steps in a process. D The sentences explain the reasons for sunsets and sunrises. 3 Based on the photograph and the text of Signs in the Sky, explain why the moon appears to have a ring around it. Use details to support your answer. 208
4 On the map, look at the low pressure system next to Denver. Now reread paragraph 6 of Mapping Sunshine and Rain. What kind of weather is expected in Denver because of this low pressure system? A B C fog snow rain D thunderstorms 5 Read these three sentences from paragraph 4 of Mapping Sunshine and Rain. Both form when cooler air and hotter air meet. Warm fronts often bring rain and clouds. Cold fronts bring clear skies and cooler weather. How are these sentences connected? A The sentences describe how warm fronts cause cold fronts. B The sentences describe three steps in a process. C The sentences compare and contrast clouds and cooler weather. D The sentences compare and contrast warm fronts and cold fronts. 6 Which key detail can you find in both passages? A A ring around the moon shows that rain is coming. B Weather systems move from west to east. C Warm fronts often bring rain and clouds. D A star symbol is used to stand for snow. 209
7 Answer Parts A, B, and C below. Part A How are the main ideas of Signs in the Sky and Mapping Sunshine and Rain alike? A They are both about tools a meteorologist uses. B C They are both about tracking pressure systems. They are both about old-fashioned weather sayings. D They are both about predicting weather. Part B Find a sentence in Signs in the Sky with details that support your response to Part A. Write that sentence on the lines below. Part C Find a sentence in Mapping Sunshine and Rain with details that support your response to Part A. Write that sentence on the lines below. 210
Performance Task Extended Response 8 How are the main ideas Signs in the Sky and Mapping Sunshine and Rain different? Be sure to include key details from the text and the pictures of both passages to support your answer. In your answer, be sure to identify the main idea of Signs in the Sky. identify the main idea of Mapping Sunshine and Rain. use key details from each passage to explain how the main ideas are different. Check your writing for correct spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. Use the space below to plan your essay. 211
Write your essay on the lines below. 212
(Student Book pages 205 212) Scoring Guide And Answer ANalySIS Informational Passage Answer Analysis 1 A B D 2 B C D 4 A C D 5 A B C 6 A C D 7A A B C 1 Choice C is correct. The paragraphs in Signs in the Sky explain why three of the old-fashioned sayings accurately predict the weather. Choice A is incorrect because this passage doesn t explain the order of events. The paragraphs don t contain dates, times, or clue words such as first, next, then, and finally that show the order of events. Choice B is incorrect. According to the passage, the old-fashioned sayings are correct, not silly. Choice D is incorrect because there is no mention of weather fronts in Signs in the Sky. (RI.3.7; DOK 2) 2 Choice A is correct. The first sentence explains that a red sunset can signal the approach of a high pressure system. The second sentence sets up a contrast ( on the other hand ) and explains there can be several reasons for red sunrises. Choice B is incorrect because high pressure systems and dry weather are noted in the first sentence as being the same thing. The sentences do not compare them. Choice C is incorrect because the sentences do not explain steps in a process. Choice D is incorrect because the sentences do not explain the reasons for all sunsets and sunrises. Only red sunrises and sunsets are discussed. (RI.3.8; DOK 3) 4 Choice B is correct. As shown on the map, the symbols for snow are located right above and around Denver. Paragraph 6 states that the cold front in Denver is expected to bring snow. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because the symbols for these types of weather are not shown near Denver. (RI.3.7; DOK 1) 5 Choice D is correct. The first sentence explains how warm fronts and cold fronts are alike: Both form when cooler air and hotter air meet. The second and third sentences explain how warm fronts and cold fronts are different. They bring different kinds of weather. Choice A is incorrect because warm fronts do not cause cold fronts. Choice B is incorrect because the sentences do not describe a sequence of events or steps in a process. Choice C is incorrect because the sentences do not compare and contrast clouds and cooler weather; these are characteristics of warm fronts and cold fronts, but they are not compared. (RI.3.8; DOK 2) 6 Choice B is correct because paragraph 3 of Signs in the Sky says that storm systems usually move from west to east and paragraph 5 of Mapping Sunshine and Rain says that high pressure and low pressure systems move from west to east. Choice A is incorrect because the ring around the moon is only described in Signs in the Sky and not in Mapping Sunshine and Rain. Choice C is incorrect because warm fronts are only mentioned in Mapping Sunshine and Rain and not in Signs in the Sky. Choice D is incorrect because readers learn that a star is the symbol for snow in Mapping Sunshine and Rain but not in Signs in the Sky. (RI.3.9; DOK 3) 7 Part A: Choice D is correct because predicting weather is a main idea in both Signs in the Sky and Mapping Sunshine and Rain. Choice A is incorrect because using tools to predict weather is mentioned in paragraphs 3, 5, and 6 in Signs in the Sky but is only the main idea in Mapping Sunshine and Rain. Choice B is incorrect because tracking pressure systems is discussed in paragraph 3 of Signs in the Sky and in paragraph 5 of Mapping Sunshine and Rain but is not the main idea of either passage. Choice C is incorrect because only Signs in the Sky tells about old-fashioned weather sayings. (RI.3.9; DOK 3) Part B: Student choices will vary, but accept any reasonable choice. Sample choice: But long before people had this kind of technology, they could predict the weather. (RI.3.9; DOK 3) Part C: Student choices will vary, but accept any reasonable choice. Sample choice: One of the tools used to predict the weather is a weather map. (RI.3.9; DOK 3) 195
Sample ReSPonses Short Response 3 High clouds in the sky contain water and ice. When moonlight shines through these high clouds, it reflects off the ice and water, making a ring appear around the moon. (RI.3.7; DOK 3) Performance Task 8 The main idea of Signs in the Sky is that people used to predict weather by observing the natural world. For example, they watched for signs of coming weather, like a ring around the moon or a red sky at night. Then they made up sayings that helped them remember what these signs told them about the weather. In contrast to Signs in the Sky, the main idea of Mapping Sunshine and Rain is that people no longer observe nature to predict weather. Instead, they can now use the science of meteorology to learn about the weather. Weather maps, for example, help people make exact forecasts. Maps show where weather fronts and systems are found and what types of weather they will cause. (RI.3.7; RI.3.9; DOK 4) 196
Scoring RubricS Short-Response Rubric 2 points The response is accurate, complete, and fulfills all requirements of the task. Text-based support and examples are included. Any information that goes beyond the text is relevant to the task. 1 point The response is partially accurate and fulfills some requirements of the task. Some information may be inaccurate, too general, or confused. Support and examples may be insufficient or not text-based. 0 points The response is inaccurate, poorly organized, or does not respond to the task. Performance Task Rubric 3 points The response Fulfills the requirements of the task May use varied sentence types and some challenging vocabulary Includes relevant and accurate details from the text Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the text Maintains a clear focus Is fluent and may demonstrate a clear sense of engagement or voice Uses correct spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation in a manner that does not hinder understanding 2 points The response Fulfills some requirements of the task Uses simple sentences, some fragments, and grade-level vocabulary Includes some relevant and accurate details from the text Demonstrates some misunderstandings or gaps in understanding of the text Attempts to maintain a clear focus and organization Is difficult to read, includes some inaccuracies, and demonstrates little or no sense of voice Contains some inaccurate spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation that may hinder understanding 1 point The response Fulfills few requirements of the task Uses sentence fragments and below-grade-level vocabulary Includes no details or irrelevant details to support the response Demonstrates very little understanding of the text Does not establish a clear focus or organization Is difficult to read, contains many inaccuracies, and demonstrates no sense of voice Uses incorrect spelling, grammar, capitalization, and punctuation to an extent that impedes understanding 0 points The response is irrelevant, poorly organized, or illegible. 197