6.7: There is a relationship between air movement, thermal energy, and…
There is a relationship between air movement, thermal energy, and weather conditions (an early, partial start: the chinook).
The Virginia Science Standards of Learning (2018) outcome 6.7 (Earth and Space Systems) for Grade 6 says: “There is a relationship between air movement, thermal energy, and weather conditions (an early, partial start: the chinook).” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: Virginia Science Standards of Learning (2018).
Weather Detectives Grade 5
Warm winter winds, the hottest spot in the schoolyard and the last frost of spring. Students measure weather fairly and find out why farmers care so much about it.
- Why does a chinook feel like spring in January? 50–60 min
Students test how moving air speeds up melting, then use a tabletop mountain and a few simple numbers to follow a parcel of air over the Rockies and find out why it arrives warm. They compare the chinook with similar winds around the world.
- Is it hotter by the slide? 50–60 min
Teams take thermometers into the schoolyard and measure the air temperature at the same spots, the same way, to find the warmest and coolest places. They learn why a fair measurement matters and explain the differences they find.
- Why do farmers care about the last frost? 50–60 min
Students compare frozen and fresh lettuce leaves to see what frost does to a plant, then use frost dates to work out the growing season in their own town and decide which crops have time to grow. They give planting advice backed by data.
Printable practice for 6.7
These pages practise a closely related idea; the match to 6.7 is partial.
- Weather Detectives workbook included with the unit
2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 word wall, 1 English-support page, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- Our Living Planet workbook included with the unit
2 English-support pages, 2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
- The Water Cycle, Start to Finish workbook included with the unit
2 English-support pages, 2 practice pages, 2 readings, 1 word wall, 1 unit review, 1 unit test, with answer keys.
Need just this outcome? Build a custom pack from these pages, with its answer key, in about a minute. Custom packs come with All-access and school licences.
Compared with NGSS: 5-ESS2-1 (partial).
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