Video trouble?

DISCUSS:
What’s the worst thunderstorm you have ever experienced?

Have you ever noticed a thunderstorm coming toward you, before it arrives? What clues would you look for to know if a thunderstorm was coming your way?

Video trouble?

DISCUSS: Look at this map. From what direction do winds typically blow where you live? (Ex.: from east to west?)

Wind Map

So which way should you look to see if bad weather is coming your way?

Finish your book! Turn to pages 5-6 and fill in the blanks. For the last blank, your teacher will tell you a local landmark to write in—that’s where you can look to see bad weather heading your way.

Pages 5 and 6 of Storm Guide

Video trouble?

Photo #1 of 5

Look at the picture and answer the questions on your handout.

Photo #1

DISCUSS: Photo #1

Do you think there will be a storm soon? Why do you think that? If you think there will be a storm, how long will it last?

Here’s what we think...

Photo #2 of 5

Look at the picture and answer the questions on your handout.

Photo #2

DISCUSS: Photo #2

Do you think there will be a storm soon? Why do you think that? If you think there will be a storm, how long will it last?

Here's what we think...

Photo #3 of 5

Look at the picture and answer the questions on your handout.

Photo #3

DISCUSS: Photo #3

Do you think there will be a storm here soon? Why do you think that? Are there any clouds here that you think might change — clouds that you want to keep an eye on?

Here’s what we think...

Photo #4 of 5

Here's that same beach later in the day. Now do you think a storm is coming? Answer the questions on your handout.

Photo #4

DISCUSS: Photo #4

Do you think there will be a storm here soon? Why do you think that? Do you think it will be a short storm or a long one?

Here’s what we think...

Photo #5 of 5

Look at the picture and answer the questions on your handout.

Photo #5

DISCUSS: Photo #5

Do you think there will be a storm here soon? Why do you think that? Are there any clouds here that you think might change — clouds that you want to keep an eye on?

Here’s what we think...

cloud

1 of 9

a collection of tiny water droplets that are visible in the air

Video trouble?

cumulus cloud

2 of 9

a type of cloud that is very fluffy, tall, and white

stratus cloud

3 of 9

a type of cloud that is long, flat, spread out, and white

cumulonimbus cloud

4 of 9

a type of storm cloud that is very fluffy, tall, and dark in color

nimbostratus cloud

5 of 9

a type of storm cloud that is long, flat, spread out, and dark in color

rain

6 of 9

water drops that fall from clouds

thunderstorm

7 of 9

a storm with thunder and lightning, usually with rain

Video trouble?

hail

8 of 9

balls of ice that fall from the sky

predict

9 of 9

to guess what will happen based on things you know

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Image & Video Credits

Mystery Science respects the intellectual property rights of the owners of visual assets. We make every effort to use images and videos under appropriate licenses from the owner or by reaching out to the owner to get explicit permission. If you are the owner of a visual and believe we are using it without permission, please contact us—we will reply promptly and make things right.

Exploration

storm clouds by NOAA Photo Library , used under CC BY / cropped

lightning storm by Mary Qin , used under CC BY / cropped, trimmed

thunder storm by Sarah Coyne , used under CC BY / cropped, trimmed

plane flying by Elizabeth Hunter , used under CC BY

plane by TSgt. Michael Haggerty, USAF / heavily modified

clouds seen from plane by Jakec , used under CC BY-SA / heavily modified

cockpit by Airman 1st Class Veronica Pierce, U.S. Air Force / heavily modified

large puffy cloud by Ron Pieket , used under CC BY / cropped

hand break by Ildar Sagdejev , used under CC BY-SA / cropped

man skydiving by skeeze / heavily modified

sky by Kevin Dooley , used under CC BY / heavily modified

man parachuting by skeeze / heavily modified

rain clouds by GPS , used under CC BY / heavily modified

lightning bolt by Unsplash / heavily modified

parachuter by tpsdave / heavily modified

hail by FCB Excalibur , used under CC BY-SA / cropped, adjusted color

cumulus clouds by Colorado Clouds Blog , used under CC BY-SA

wrist watch by stock.tookapic.com

cloud watching by Leland Francisco , used under CC BY / Heavily Photoshopped

cloud formation by epSos.de , used under CC BY

off trail view by Nicholas A. Tonelli , used under CC BY

beach by Darkest tree , used under CC BY-SA

time lapse cloud formation by Mathieu Descombes

cumulonimbious 2 by Sfortis , used under CC BY-SA

cumulonimbious 4 by Neil Tackaberry , used under CC BY-ND

thunder cloud by Neil Tackaberry , used under CC BY-ND

raining cloud by Aislinn Ritchie , used under CC BY-SA

tall cloud by Neil Tackaberry , used under CC BY-ND

bedroom by Amy Gizienski , used under CC BY

map by Ktrinko

grassy area by Nicholas A. Tonelli , used under CC BY

Credits

“The activity that followed allowed the kids to put their learning into real life practice. kids worked in groups on determining cloud-types and whether or not they would do the activity the pictures presented. It was meaningful and a blast!”

“Great videos and explanations. My students were very interested in the topic. We are experiencing storms during this last week and they are using their knowledge to talk about the rain, clouds, etc. Thanks for putting all these fabulous resources in our hands (teachers and students). ”

“The kids LOVED the storm spotter guides! I had several kids ask for extra papers so they could make another booklet for home/siblings. They've been talking about the different clouds since then!”

“The directions for the activity and the information itself in the videos were given so clearly that students had very little trouble following along. More importantly, they understood and were able to apply the information to the activity at the end!”

“These lessons align perfectly with our curriculum. Students learn important vocabulary in an interactive manner, then utilize their knowledge in order to predict weather patterns by looking at cloud cover and wind direction. Thanks Doug! ”

“The story told at the beginning was incredible. Enjoyed the practical application of the activity. I also like that the video clip of each step of the activity is looped so the children could rewatch the steps as they are doing them.”

“Step by step directions on the book was VERY successful! The stories and explanation were interesting. Love the last page in their book that leaves room for them to "collect" more evidence of clouds. ”

“My students loved going outside and keeping our Weather Prediction Journals from the lesson extras! They also really enjoyed learning about different types of clouds and how we can look at them to determine what the weather forecast might hold.”

“The kids love to predict what the different types of clouds and they love to have to decide whether the storm will happen or not. They really enjoyed the spotter's guide that they made prior to the Will It Storm activity. ”

“The kids were literally ooohing and ahhhing at the videos with the clouds. What I thought was going to torture me in folding the booklet was SO easy with the video instructions. This whole program has been amazing so far!”

“The children really loved the Storm Spotter's Guide. It's been over a week and some of the students still bring it to school everyday so they can discuss what k=clouds they see in the sky, and try to predict the weather.”

“The students were SO engaged with 'Will it Storm?" photos. They used their Storm Spotter's Guide and I heard great discussions between partners. They felt like meteorologists. The extension activities were wonderful. I loved being able to incorporate science content in our poetry and language arts standards. ”

“My kids loved it! I like how it breaks lessons up. The students will watch the clip, discuss a question, watch a clip, discuss then clip and a guided activity.... PERFECT for students with ADHD..”

“This was Wx Mystery was incredibly well thought out and produced. My 4th grade students were full involved. And even on the evening of the day we wrapped up Mystery 2, I found myself photographing some beautiful cumulonimbus clouds passing the the south of Manhattan.”

“The best part was the storm spotters guide. My students have been observing the clouds and predicting whether it will rain or not all week long. They take out their little booklets and make fantastic observations. They love this mystery! ”

“My class LOVED the activity and know so much more about clouds and weather predicting than past years' classes because of this lesson. Thank you! The only recommendation I'd have is making the first one or two activity pictures, the ones that students need to interpret, easier so that they can build up to the more challenging ones that require more careful thinking because of cloud combinations.”

“Everything! The engaging story of the soldier descending through the cumulonimbus cloud really hooked the students into the lesson. The booklets were fun to make (a great lesson in listening closely to directions) and the students really used them to identify clouds and 'predict' the weather. I turned the photo scenarios into cards, laminated them and used them several times with dry erase markers to save paper. It was a great opportunity to listen to the students talk about the scene, look through their booklets to identify and predict. It was a better way to clear up misunderstandings than whole class assessment!”

“This was great! The kids loved making the Storm Spotter's Guide. We are finishing up this morning. They are constantly looking at the sky and talking about the clouds:) The step by step directions were perfect!! Thank you so much:)”

“The kids had a great time with this lesson! They really enjoyed the story that started us off! Thanks. I am hoping I can keep this subscription around for next year. As a STEM school, we really focus on science and this is one of the best resources I've found. ”

“The best part was the Storm Tracker booklet. My students have asked every morning if we can go outside to check the clouds. I love that this lesson is easily transitioning to something the students can apply and something they enjoy to thinking about every day.”

“The Storm Spotter's Guide was the best. I appreciate how much we all learned about how to tell which clouds are which and what their function and purpose is. Thanks! Doug and his team come through for us every time!”

“The videos and step by step plan of making their storm spotter guide was fantastic. My para and I couldn't believe it. The students watched and were able to do it all completely themselves. Fantastic!”

“The children were fascinated hearing about the guy who fell through the storm cloud - they were amazed! Since the lesson they keep looking at the sky and telling me what clouds there are today and if its going to storm or not. Great lesson.”

“My daughter out of the blue predicted a storm that was on its way. We were eating in a restaurant and she says look mom the clouds are strato-nimbus cloud! There were a few flags flying outside so we could see the direction of the wind and she predicted we would have rain soon. I enjoy seeing her put her knowledge to work and she's having fun doing it. ”

“We started with stratus clouds that changed before our eyes into stratonimbus clouds! We accurately predicted indoor recess 5 times in a row...no sign of clear skies in our near future! (All without looking at forecast on the internet!)”

“harder for 1st graders because of tiny booklet-- they couldn't fit all the words on. Would be helpful to have color poster (11x17) that I could print out and keep up for rest of the week to reinforce lesson. That said...we looked at the ominous clouds today and realize that we weren't going to get rain because they were not coming from the West. Cool!”

“This kids tweeted me all spring break about the different kings of clouds they were seeing and that they where explaining to their parents about how you can use wind and knowledge of cloud to know what the weather may do!”

“These are great! The best part is that I will stop to discuss something in the picture and then when I start the video up, he is discussing the same thing...we are on the same page as to what we are teaching.”

“My kids really enjoyed putting together the "Storm Spotter's Guide" for this lesson. It helped them to learn the differences between the cloud types. We did this lesson a week ago, but they are still looking at the clouds whenever we are outside and identifying them. We all enjoyed the video on William Rankin, the first known man to fall through a cumulonimbus cloud. A good story ripens the mind nicely to prepare for the lesson. ”

“We live in Oklahoma, so the weather is an important part of our lives. Tornadoes are of particular interest. Teaching the students how to spot incoming storms and helping them understand how to predict that weather is incredibly empowering. Thank you for a well rounded lesson and activity! The students and I appreciate how the lessons are interesting and not just a regurgitation of facts!”

“Once again, my students loved this lesson! They really enjoyed making their Storm Spotter's Guide book. They will randomly look out the window at the clouds and predict the weather, haha. It is so great to see how much they are loving these lessons!! ”

“Great use of technology! Just enough technology to teach the material without any distractions. We love the storm guide! The hands on activities are very well planned. It makes it very easy to learn and remember the types of the clouds. ”

“I have always loved weather (even considered meteorology, but there was too much math for my liking!) ;) and have tried to explain what was taught in the video to our boys...but for whatever reason (a different voice?!) they GOT it and LOVED it! This lesson was right before the snow/ice storm that slammed NC last week. As we were out making preparations, our boys were discussing the clouds and what they meant! Yay!!! ”

“My students loved the video about the Jet pilot and his trip through the clouds. It really got their attention and created a better understanding of storm clouds. They did really well with the cloud books and are still recording daily clouds they see. Thank you! I also love how you have connected Readworks articles and American Museum of Natural History websites. I use both of these often.”

“We enjoyed making our Storm Spotter's Guide - which is quite helpful in learning about the clouds. We have learned about the clouds before, but never learned about the storm information that goes along with it.”

“My students loved looking at the pictures and trying to decide if they had to worry about a storm coming their way! These activities are so engaging and really help them to connect the science topics to their life!”

Storm Spotter's Guide worksheet	30 copies
Will It Storm? worksheet	30 copies
Will It Storm? Answer Key teacher-only resource	1 copy
Scissors	30 pairs

How can we predict when it's going to storm?

cloud

cumulus cloud

stratus cloud

cumulonimbus cloud

nimbostratus cloud

rain

thunderstorm

hail

predict

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Unit Reading

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Jump to

30 mins

30 mins

Share this lesson

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How can we predict when it's going to storm?

cloud

cumulus cloud

stratus cloud

cumulonimbus cloud

nimbostratus cloud

rain

thunderstorm

hail

predict

Vocabulary

Unit Reading

Assessments

Image & Video Credits

Activity Prep

Vocabulary

Assessments

Figure Out Which Direction Weather is Coming From

Label the Cardinal Directions

30 mins

30 mins

Student link

Google Classroom

Email parents

Unit Reading

Activity

Home Activity

ELA Extension

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