1. Jobs of the Wind
Description of Task: Students create a list of the different jobs of the wind in relation to people, animals, and plants.
Introduction: Wind is a source of energy. Still air is not. It is the movement of air that produces energy and power. Wind power is the use of wind to do useful work. Read the story of Wendy Wind
Guided Practice: How do people, plants and animals use the wind? The class brainstorms the different jobs of the wind. The teacher will give a few examples from the students and write them on the blackboard.
Independent Practice: Students in groups will print or draw pictures of the winds various jobs on chart paper.
Closure: Students will discuss their different ideas. Teacher illustrates the different jobs of the wind with student pictures and/or photographs. Teacher will create a chart on the blackboard and students will write the information in their science journals. Students will also write wind power is the use of wind to do useful work at the top of the chart.
2. Pinwheel
Description of Task: Students create a pinwheel.
Introduction: Show the students a created pinwheel. Ask them: What is it? How can it move? What energy makes it move?
Guided Practice: Teacher illustrates how to make a pinwheel.
Independent Practice: Students decorate their pinwheels. Students who are complete may assembly it with the teacher.
Closure: Brief discussion on the windmill. Windmills create electricity. Windmills use a natural energy to create power.
3. Beaufort Scale
Description of Task: Review of wind power. Wind is a source of power. How do you know that wind is a source of energy? (It can move things). What affects how much something moves in the wind? (The speed of the wind and the weight of the object)
Introduction: Introduce the Beaufort Scale.
Guided Practice: Distribute the pinwheels to the students. Have the students place the pinwheel in front of them. Why are they not moving, how can we make them move. (blowing on them, making their own wind, bring them outside) If it is too cold outside, the teacher will use a fan to create different speeds of wind. Students are to observe what happens to the pinwheel. Teacher will ask the students to count how many times the pinwheel makes a complete rotation, by observing the number on the pinwheel. Students are to write their observations in their science journals.
Teacher will write the main categories of the Beaufort Scale; breeze, gale, hurricane.
Independent Practice: Students will write and draw a picture for each category in their science journal.
Closure: Students will present their drawings in reference to the Beaufort Scale.
Debbie DeSpirt - Debbie DeSpirt is an Elementary Teacher for the York Catholic District School Board in Ontario, Canada. Her post secondary education ...
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