1.35 Catching the Wind: Using a Weather Vane
This is Lesson 1.35, “Catching the Wind – Using a Weather Vane,” from the National FFA Mentoring Program’s Grow Your PALS Program Guide (Mathematical Applications unit). In this one-on-one mentoring lesson, students learn what wind is and what causes it to blow, build their own wind vane to determine wind direction, and explore how agriculturists monitor wind to predict weather, including jet streams and cold and warm fronts.
At a glance
- Learning objectives
-
- Explain wind.
- Explain what causes wind to blow.
- Determine the direction of the wind using a weather vane.
- Describe three things agriculturists can learn by monitoring the wind.
- Time required
- Instruction time for this lesson: 50 minutes.
- Materials
-
- PALS1.35.ONE.TM.A
- PALS1.35.ONE.ASSESS.A
- Globe
- Scissors
- Three pieces of cardboard
- Pencil
- Two paper clips
- Modeling clay
- Two heavy rocks
- Tape
- Compass
- Computer with Internet access
- Precepts
- J. Mental Growth — J1. Think critically; F. Continuous Improvement — F5. Acquire new knowledge
- Lesson Type
- One on One
- Unit
- Mathematical Applications
- Key Terms
- Wind, Wind vane, Jet stream, Cold front, Warm front
- Resources
- http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-wind.htm; www.weather.com; Robertson, R. (2005) Stop Faking It! – Air, Water, and Weather. NSTA Press: Arlington, VA.; National FFA Organization. (2003). LifeKnowledge Precepts and Signs of Success.
Downloads & Links
Aligned Standards
National Standards
- ESS.03.01.01.b.Differentiate the types of weather systems and weather patterns.
- NL-ENG.K-12.12Applying Language Skills
- NS.K-4.4Earth and Space Science