As we continue our study of weather, first grade students are investigating clouds. We began our exploration this morning when Mr. Powers guided us in experimenting with dry ice, clouds, and sublimation. Using dry ice and warm water, we formed a cloud. Students were then challenged with blowing bubbles up and into the cloud, where they bounced on the cloud. Through our experimentation students were exposed to key concepts and terms including condensation, evaporation, precipitation, states of matter, and density.
After experimenting, we launched into a day centered on learning about clouds. Students listened to The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola and made their own make and take cloud books We discovered that clouds form when warm air and cold air meet. We found that clouds are defined by they way they look as well as where they are found in the atmosphere. In a follow up project, students were asked to identify the three main types of clouds (cirrus, cumulus, stratus), write about them, and use cotton balls to create examples of each.
In addition to our experiments, reading, and projects, our cloud theme carried over into our writing. In handwriting, students practice writing uppercase c and lowercase c. They brainstormed and wrote words beginning with c. In writing workshop, students continued drafting a writing piece relating to the fictional story Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. In their writing students are focusing heavily on using descriptive adjectives.
In the coming days, students can look forward to putting their observation skills to work as they will begin tracking clouds. Students will be asked to determine the type of clouds they see, draw pictures of those clouds, and label them. They will also record the color of the clouds, the number of clouds, and any precipitation.
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