Active Pattern for the Center of the Nation

Severe thunderstorms, excessive rainfall, critical fire weather are all in the outlook today and into this last weekend of April. Very large hail, severe wind gusts, and a couple strong tornadoes will all be possible across the central and southern Plains today. Flash flooding also possible for portions of the Plains and Mississippi Valley. Critical fire weather conditions for Southern High Plains Read More >

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The Atmosphere

Weather & Forecasting

Thunderstorm Development

Earth's Oceans

Students will explore some of the processes and cycles experienced in the Earth's atmosphere. Investigations involve the water cycle and the factors that affect the rate of water movement through the cycle and the study of weather. Other investigations include the ways heat is transferred at and near Earth's surface, and the differential heating of various Earth materials--all of which influence the weather. Finally, the overall atmospheric structure will be examined.

UNIT OVERVIEW
Atmosphere (PowerPoint presentation)	This presentation focuses on the different properties that make up our atmosphere, including the various gases and different layers. Also included is a discussion of the different techniques meteorologists use to measure the state of the atmosphere.
Teacher's Guide	This Teacher's Guide provides an explanation of the atmosphere in addition to the information presented in the PowerPoint slideshow.

ATMOSPHERE CURRICULUM GUIDES
Grade 4	These guides are provided to outline the Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) for the study of Meteorology per the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum.
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 8
High School

ACTIVITIES The activities below are designed to provide the student a better understanding of the processes of the atmosphere.
Activity 1	Students will discover that the faster air moves, the lower the pressure becomes within that flow of air.
Activity 2	In this activity, the student will gain an understanding of the effect that heat has on pressure.
Activity 3	This activity will provide students an understanding of the precipitation formation process.

FORECASTING QUIZ
Quiz	The quiz is designed to test the students' understanding of the atmosphere.
Answer Key	The answer key will provide the instructor with the correct answers to the quiz, as well as an explanation of the answer.

This unit introduces the student to the basic forms of energy with an emphasis on the properties of energy in relation to weather processes. Energy transferal and transformation are also explored. Weather patterns, historical trends, and the use of data to predict future weather conditions are emphasized.

UNIT OVERVIEW
Weather and Forecasting (PowerPoint presentation)	This presentation details the processes of our atmosphere and what they mean to weather forecast. These include high and low pressure systems, weather fronts, and cloud formation.
Teacher's Guide	This Teacher's Guide provides an explanation of weather analysis and forecasting processes in addition to the information presented in the PowerPoint slideshow.

FORECASTING CURRICULUM GUIDES
Grade 4	These guides are provided to outline the Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) for the study of Meteorology per the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum.
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 8
High School

ACTIVITIES The activities below are designed to provide the student a better understanding of basic weather and forecasting principles.
Activity 1	This activity deals with the density principles of air. Students will gain an understanding as to why warm air rises and cool air sinks.
Activity 2	Activity 2 allows the student to gain experience in analyzing a surface pressure map to identify areas of high and low pressure.
Activity 3	This activity requires the student to analyze a weather map to identify warm, cold, and stationary fronts. Students will also gain a basic understanding of the variety of weather that is associated with each type of front.

FORECASTING QUIZ
Quiz	The quiz is designed to test the students' understanding of weather forecast processs.
Answer Key	The answer key will provide the instructor with the correct answers to the quiz, as well as an explanation of the answer.

Students will learn the atmospheric forces and motions needed to produce a thunderstorm. Exploration of the life cycle of thunderstorms and identification of products of severe thunderstorms. Other investigations will be the hazards produced by severe thunderstorms from the various motions involved in thunderstorm development.

UNIT OVERVIEW
Thunderstorm Development (PowerPoint presentation)	This presentation focuses on the ingredients and triggers necessary to create a thunderstorm, as well as how thunderstorms produce lightning, hail, downbursts, and tornadoes.
Teacher's Guide	This Teacher's Guide provides an explanation of thunderstorm development in addition to the information presented in the PowerPoint slideshow.

THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM GUIDES
Grade 4	These guides are provided to outline the Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) for the study of Meteorology per the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum.
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 8
High School

ACTIVITIES The activities below are designed to provide the student a better understanding of the processes at work inside a thunderstorm.
Activity 1	In this activity, students will gain an understanding of the wind's ability to suspend rain and hail within clouds.
Activity 2	This activity will help students understand how lightning develops inside a thunderstorm.

THUNDERSTORM DEVELOPMENT QUIZ
Quiz	The quiz is designed to test the students' understanding of thunderstorm development. The answer key is included within the document.

UNIT OVERVIEW
Oceans' Power (PowerPoint presentation)	This presentation focuses on the world's oceans and the influence they have over our weather. Includes tides and El Nino/La Nina.
Teacher's Guide	This Teacher's Guide provides an explanation of the oceans in addition to the information presented in the PowerPoint slideshow.

OCEANS CURRICULUM GUIDES
Grade 8	These guides are provided to outline the Grade Level Expectations (GLEs) for the study of Oceanography per the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum.

ACTIVITIES The activities below are designed to provide the student a better understanding of the processes of the ocean.
Activity	Students will discover that the faster air moves, the lower the pressure becomes within that flow of air.

FORECASTING QUIZ
Quiz	The quiz is designed to test the students' understanding of the world's oceans.
Answer Key	The answer key will provide the instructor with the correct answers to the quiz, as well as an explanation of the answer.

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Active Pattern for the Center of the Nation

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