Students should have learned that the weather we experience is due to many factors. It depends on how close we are to land, water, and mountains. But it also depends on how the Earth rotates through space. Movement of the atmosphere throughout the world helps explain the weather patterns that we see. A combination of air in the atmosphere and water from the oceans interact will influence our weather greatly.

Weather changes all the time. Weather is created in the atmosphere that envelops the Earth. Weather changes so much because the Earth is constantly spinning. Lands and water bodies heat up differently that cause constant atmospheric change. Also note that "seasons" are not the same as weather. Seasons have to do with the angle of the solar radiation we receive caused by the tilt of the Earth on it’s axis. Seasons are explored in the Universe Cycle.

1. Go over the different parts of the Weather Placemat. The middle of the placemat is a Weather Map showing areas of different weather. Review east, west, north, and south. Also review the symbols that you will be asking them questions about (calm wind, clear day, partly cloudy). Ask students to point out the following:

1. Areas of snow. (northwest - north central, into Canada)
2. area of calm wind (west)
3. clear day (west, north west)
4. partly cloudy (toward east coast)
5. cloudy (north central)

NOTE: Do not question them about fronts, this is for a later grade.

2. Name the four elements of weather. (Note that elements refers to how we describe the weather in a basic way.)

1. wind
2. temperature
3. air pressure
4. moisture

3. Ask students what instruments help us measure the weather.

1. anemometer - wind
2. thermometer - temperature
3. barometer - air pressure
4. rain gauge - moisture from rain

4.    Where does most weather occur?

1. Troposphere or 8-18 km above our head.

5. The Earth spinning helps understand how what moves?

1. wind

6. How are clouds formed?

1. when warm air meets cool air and moisture forms.

7. Is the Water Cycle important to understand weather?

1. Yes, the Water Cycle explains how moisture moves throughout the Earth.

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