There are four key elements of weather including temperature, moisture, pressure and wind. Temperature refers to how the Sun rays warm up our atmosphere. In the winter the angle of the Earth is tilted away from the Sun. During the summer the Earth is titled toward the Sun, making the rays of Sun more powerful to heat the atmosphere. Moisture would include rain, snow, hail, and dew. Air pressure can either be low pressure or high pressure. Low or light pressure usually signals rainy weather while high or heavy air signals sunny weather. Wind is created when different air pressures are near each other. This creates a movement of low pressure moves to high pressure.
Each of the weather elements gives us different weather conditions. A change in one element usually causes a change in the weather.
The hydrologic or water cycle is a major driving force on Earth. Water is important to our everyday lives. First graders see water all around them, but many do not realize its importance. Ask students if we can survive without food or water longer. They are usually amazed that humans can survive without food much longer than water. Humans can only last about 3 days without water. After that time the kidneys will no longer function, and we will not be able to get rid of the wastes that accumulate in our bodies. Our bodies require fresh, clean water to survive. Polluted or salty water will not help our bodies.
Water circulates in the atmosphere through the water cycle. The water on Earth evaporates (or becomes gas) into a cloud. When conditions are right, the cloud releases water or precipitation.
The Sun heats up our atmosphere unevenly depending on the angle the rays strike our Earth. The winter is when the appropriate hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun. Summer is when that hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun. The Sun heats areas up and helps move the "wind" around.
Air pressure is caused by the unevenness of cool and warm air. Low pressure usually signals moisture while high pressure usually signals fair weather. Students will learn more about this is later grades, just to say the word is enough for kindergarten.
Drippy the Hippie
I have a very busy life And I’m always on the go I’m part of the water cycle It’s really cool to know |
I have a very busy life Relax and get some sun There are many drops Who come to the lake for fun |
The gases hydrogen and oxygen Are what I am made of I am clean and I’m fresh And peace is what I love |
I am a groovy raindrop My name is Hippie Drippy Colorless and tasteless I’m not your average Hippie |
I am a groovy raindrop My name is Hippie Drippy Colorless and tasteless I’m not your average Hippie |
I swim in the lake And party with the fish I wait to evaporate It’s the clouds I really miss |
I live up in the sky Til the clouds turn dark gray Preparing for my trip I wait for rain each day |
As a gas I will rise And travel really high Back to the clouds Up into the sky |
I put on my favorite shirt It’s colorful and tie-dye I wave to the clouds To say to them good bye |
Condensation will happen I’ll go back to the state Of being a raindrop Waiting to precipitate |
I am a groovy raindrop My name is Hippie Drippy Colorless and tasteless I’m not your average Hippie |
I am a groovy raindrop My name is Hippie Drippy Colorless and tasteless I’m not your average Hippie |
I fall from the clouds And land in a lake With many other drops I really precipitate |
Water Cycle Song lyrics
Lyrics
The water cycle Takes the water and moves it Up and down and all around the Earth It’s really cool to know Takes the water and moves it Up and down and all around the Earth The water cycle Takes the water and moves it Up and down and all around the Earth |
Evaporation comes When the heat from the Sun Warms up all the groundwater Then it turns to water vapor Condensation takes over It goes up to the clouds Water vapor cools down And it changes to a liquid, now Precipitation happens When the drops get big It falls like rain, snow, sleet, and hail upon my head I know it's the water cycle happening again Evaporation, condensation, precipitation |
The water cycle Takes the water and moves it Up and down and all around the Earth The water cycle Takes the water and moves it Up and down and all around the Earth |
I live up in the sky Til the clouds turn dark gray Preparing for my trip I wait for rain each day |