And Today’s Weather
Will Be…
Introduction| Task| Process| Resources| Evaluation| Conclusion| Reflection| Extensions| Notes to Teacher
Congratulations! You have just landed a job as a weather forecaster for a major television station in a particular region of the country. You are incredibly excited, but soon realize you know virtually nothing about weather. You really want to keep this job, so you are going to learn as much about weather as possible before your live television debut in two weeks.
In
order to learn as much as possible in a short amount of time, you will use your
science text books, library books,
encyclopedias, viewing current weather
reports in your local area, and the internet to gain information. You will need
to find information on the region, state, and city for which you have been
hired. You will need to create the props, according to the universally used
symbols for weather and weather patterns, which you will use in your first
broadcast. You will write out your broadcast on paper, and come prepared (i.e.
dressed professionally, with props, and with your written portion) to give your
broadcast. Your video taped broadcast, props, and written portion will be turned
in to be graded.
v
Before
you begin creating your broadcast, you must research the region, state, and city
you have been hired in. You need to look at information on the:
ü Northwest-Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Northern California, Alaska
ü Southwest- Southern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico
ü Middle US- North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana
ü Southeast-Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia
ü Northeast-Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Delaware
ü Pacific West- Hawaii, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef,
Midway
Islands, Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands
v Once you have gained information about your particular region, begin looking through the resources listed below and fill out the Weather Notes Worksheet.
v Once you have the worksheet completed, go to the resources below the current news stations in your area’s weather pages to view the current, past, and future weather in your region. With the information you gather from this website and the Weather Notes Worksheet, begin writing the written portion of your broadcast. The written portion of your broadcast should include the following:
ü The exact words you will use during your broadcast
ü The current weather conditions
ü
The
weather patterns that will be shown on your props
ü The record lows and highs
ü Dew point
ü Precipitation
ü Barometer
ü The five-day forecast
ü Any other information that is relevant to your region
v After your research and written portion of your broadcast are complete, you will make your props. Your props portion of your broadcast should include the following:
ü Your props must be vivid and colorful.
ü Your props must be made according to the universally used symbols.
ü Your props must correspond with the weather report. (If it is cloudy, I expect to see clouds)
ü Create a graph representing your Five-day Forecast
v
Two
weeks from today, you will be presenting your broadcast to the television
executives. Your broadcast will be taped. Your presentation portion of your
broadcast must include the following:
ü You must be professionally dressed.
ü Your presentation should last a minimum of three minutes and not exceed five minutes.
ü You must have your broadcast memorized, but you may have one 3x5 card to put key points and notes on.
ü You must use your props during your broadcast. You may have another students assist you if needed.
v When you have completed your broadcast, you must turn in your, Weather Notes Worksheet, written portion, and your props for grading.
v Weather Websites:
ü http://msnbc.com/news/WEA_Front.asp?0dm=C---W
ü http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761565171/Weather.html
ü http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761571037/Meteorology.html
v Region/State/City Websites:
ü www.netstate.com/state/index.html
ü
www.encarta.msn.com
–key word: state name (i.e. Arizona)
v Books:
ü Your classroom text book
ü How the Weather Works: 100 Ways Parents and Kids Can Share the Secrets of the Atmosphere by Michael Allaby, Stephanie Jackson (Editor)
ü Weather by Jonathan D. Kahl, National Audubon Society
ü
Facts on File Weather and Climate Handbook
by
Michael Allaby, Richard Garratt (Illustrator)
ü
Encyclopedia of Weather and Climate, Vol. 2
by
Michael Allaby, Richard Garratt (Illustrator)
*All links were active at time of publishing*
Hurray
for you! You got the job of a lifetime. You did such a great job on your
broadcast the company has given you the job. All the hard work you put into
researching weather paid off. They were so impressed with your knowledge. They
also loved your props. That outfit you wore helped too. Congratulations, and
have the best time of your life!
Use one paragraph to answer each of the following questions:
1. How did I utilize my time? Was I effective or ineffective?
2. Did I enjoy the project? Why or why not?
3. Was I satisfied with my results of this project? Why or Why not?
4. What would I do different if I could do this project over again? Why?
5. Would you recommend this project to other students? Why or Why not?
You have been working as a weather person now for five years and you see that the sports casters position will be opening in three week. You really want this job, so now you have to start the process all over again. Find out as much about sports, especially the teams in your city and create an awesome broadcast like you did when you tried out for the weather position. Good Luck!
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Questions or Comments?
E-Mail me at: teacherasm@msn.com
Good luck with your own class and have fun exploring the weather around the country. You never know who the next big television journalist will be.
