6.3.a. Local and regional weather are affected by the amount of solar energy the area receives and proximity to a large body of water.
This standard is addressed in the second Essential Question, How does the Sun warm our atmosphere? While learning about the position of the Earth relative to the Sun and Earth's movements, the students will have a deeper understanding of how solar energy heats certain parts of Connecticut, especially New Haven next to the Long Island Sound.
6.3.1. Earth is surrounded by layers of gases (atmosphere) that influence the environmental conditions on its surface. Earth’s atmosphere (air) is a mixture of different amounts of gases (mainly nitrogen and oxygen, along with small amounts of carbon dioxide, water vapor and other gases).
This standard is directly addressed in the lessons discussing the layers of the Earth's atmosphere and what occurs in each layer. The students will create atmosphere wheel models to use as a reference throughout the unit. The students will gain an understanding of the air through the lessons on the Greenhouse Effect and Carbon Cycle.
6.3.2. Weather on Earth is caused by the daily changes in the temperature, pressure and amount of moisture in the lower atmosphere.
In discussing the layers of the atmosphere, we discuss what occurs in each layer. We discuss what weather is through the exploration of air pressure and humidity, and how these amongst daily temperature determine the weather of a certain area. The students will be keeping track of weather patterns and will be documenting the pressure, temperature and humidity each day and study patterns.
6.3. 3. Climate is the long-term conditions experienced by different regions on earth, and is influenced by the amount of solar energy penetrating the atmosphere to reach Earth’s surface.
Throughout this unit the Sun's importance to Earth is discussed and explored trough various activities. The seasons occur due to the Earth's axis and daily rotation creating night and day. Every place on Earth in a certain distance from the Sun causing some areas to be warmer, and others cooler generally.
6.3. 8. Solar energy is absorbed by different surfaces on the earth and radiated back to warm the atmosphere. Land absorbs solar energy at a faster rate, and releases it at a faster rate, than water. Air temperature above the land or water depends on the amount of solar radiation absorbed.
This standard describes the Greenhouse Effect. One entire lesson of this unit is dedicated to the Greenhouse Effect, but it's implications and effects are discussed throughout the unit. We also explore how rising Carbon Dioxide rates contribute to the Greenhouse Effect, and how this is why the planet Venus is so hot despite being so far from the Sun.
6.3. 12. Water on Earth evaporates into the atmosphere (humidity) driven by energy from the sun. Higher temperature causes more evaporation. Clouds form when warm, moist air evaporates, rises and cools, causing its molecules to condense onto tiny dust particles suspended in the air. Different cloud formations are associated with different weather.
When exploring the water cycle and Connecticut weather, this standard is addressed. We discuss the different cloud types and their implications for weather. The students already have background knowledge on this topic as it was extensively discussed during our ecosystems unit when they were making terrariums and could physically see the effects of evaporation, condensation and precipitation. The students will come away from this unit with a solid understanding of how clouds form.
6.3. 15. Connecticut weather is influenced by its closeness to the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound. Water temperature causes coastal temperatures to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter than temperatures inland.
Since my unit required by New Haven asks how CT climate effects its weather, this standard is essentially addressed throughout this entire unit. In our lesson dedicated to CT weather, students will come away with a knowledge of how the ocean effects the weather of Connecticut in comparison to other inland places in CT and of the same latitude.
6.3.16. Connecticut often has rapidly changing weather because three patterns of moving air interact here: cold, dry air from the north, warm, moist air from the Atlantic Ocean coastline, and air moving across the US from west to east.
In the lesson dedicated to CT weather we explore the reasons for the different climates and ecosystems in CT alone. For such a small state, we have very diverse weather patterns and environmental conditions resulting in many types of ecosystems as well.