Weather and Climate: Guide for Students with Disabilities
What's included
10 live meetings
7 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursProjects
1 hour per week. Additional projects requiring time outside of class are available.Certificate of Completion
If a grade is required for documentation, please let me know before class starting.Class Experience
US Grade 3 - 4
Beginner Level
What causes changes in the weather? What is the relationship between weather and climate? These questions are central to big-picture investigations of these phenomena. This unit starts by looking at Earth’s atmosphere, the mixture of gases surrounding the planet. The oxygen we need makes up only about twenty percent of the atmosphere. Another important gas in the air is water vapor, which— through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation—plays a big part in weather. Meteorologists and climatologists study patterns of weather over different scales of time. Data on wind speed and direction are important to meteorologists because they demonstrate predictable patterns. Meteorologists also use other kinds of information to forecast the weather. Climatologists study patterns over longer time periods using much of the same data. Students also learn that some forms of weather can be severe and hazardous, such as a hurricane, a tornado, or a lightning storm. People can design solutions to prepare for hazardous weather and to minimize risks. Class Structure I use a multi-media presentation style to engage learners. Individual lessons may a combination of lecture, text, games, video clips, discussion or reflection, as well as handouts. Students may demonstrate their learning through reading out loud, writing in chat, completing worksheets or taking notes in a journal. Each class has ample opportunity for individualized student engagement as I keep the class size small to allow for extra wait time and discussion.
Learning Goals
Students will be able to describe the characteristics of the air and Earth's atmosphere.
Students will be able to explain the relationship between warmer or cooler temperature and lower or higher air pressure.
Syllabus
10 Lessons
over 10 WeeksLesson 1:
Atmosphere and Air Pressure
What is the atmosphere, and what is weather?
45 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 2:
Water in the Atmosphere
How does water move into and out of air?
45 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 3:
Investigating Air Pressure and Precipitation
How does temperature affect air pressure and precipitation?
45 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Lesson 4:
Investigating Wind
How can I observe and describe moving air?
45 mins online live lesson
1 assignment
Other Details
Learning Needs
Scaffolded material set at academic grade level of 1-3. Support for multiple ways of learning and student expression.
Supply List
Handouts will be available for each topic area and should be printed before class starts. Learners need a pencil, handouts or notebook, and color pencils or crayons for most activities. Any additional items will be listed the week prior.
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
Teacher expertise and credentials
Minnesota Teaching Certificate in Special Education
Master's Degree in Education from Walden University
I have taught this subject in a public school setting for students with moderate to severe disabilities. I have also used these materials in my 1:1 tutoring cross-curriculum course.
Reviews
Live Group Course
$18
weekly or $180 for 10 classes1x per week, 10 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 11-14
2-6 learners per class