Lesson 3: The Wind
Getting Started
Questions to Explore
- Why does the weather change?
- How is weather measured?
Facts and Definitions
- Wind is air moving in the environment.
- Wind speed is measured with an instrument called an anemometer.
- Warm air is lighter than cold air, so it rises.
- A weather vane (or wind vane) is a tool that shows the direction the wind is blowing.
- A barometer is a tool that measures changes in air pressure.
Skills
- Investigate and describe how moving air interacts with objects. (S)
- Observe the force of air pressure pushing on objects. (S)
- Describe weather using quantitative measures of temperature, wind direction, wind speed, and precipitation. (S)
Materials
- The Kids' Book of Weather Forecasting by Mark Breen and Kathleen Friestad
- balloon, about 12" diameter when inflated
- cardboard
- colored pencils or markers
- compass
- empty metal can, preferably 14 or 15 oz.
- file folder* (Activity 3 - Option 1)
- glue
- journal
- kite
- large piece of cardboard* (Activity 3 - Option 2)
- marker
- modeling clay* (Activity 3 - Option 1)
- paper clip
- paper plate* (Activity 3 - Option 1)
- pen cap* (Activity 3 - Option 2)
- pencil with a new eraser
- poster board
- rubber band
- ruler
- scissors
- scrap of paper
- small leaf
- small stick
- straight pin* (Activity 3 - Option 1)
- straight straw
- straw* (Activity 3 - Option 1)
- tape
- wire coat hanger* (Activity 3 - Option 2)
* - denotes an optional material that may or may not be needed
Introduction
In this lesson, your child will learn about wind and how to measure its speed and direction. She will also learn how to measure air pressure and then create her own barometer and weather vane. The first activity will introduce your child to the concept of wind.
Reminder
- Fill out your weather log each day as outlined in Lesson 1.
- Take four temperature readings during the day for the daily temperature experiment outlined in Lesson 2.