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Atmosphere Teacher Resources
Find teacher approved Atmosphere educational resource ideas and activities
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Meteorology learners explore the weight of air, layers of the atmosphere, and air pressure action through a series of discussions, demonstrations, and hands-on group activities. Enough discussion prompts, background information, student handouts, and internet resources are provided to build a complete atmosphere mini-unit.
Eighth graders navigate the Internet to view animations of the water cycle. In this atmosphere lesson, 8th graders listen to " To the Mountain and Back" and draw and label pictures of the water cycle. Students select a weather condition and complete an online worksheet. Students recognize the difference between climate and weather.
This is a very basic presentation of the layers of the atmosphere. It divides the atmosphere into four layers and pretty much only mentions the elevation and order of each. The last of seven slides shows a pie graph and data table of the main components of the air in the atmosphere. Even for middle schoolers, you may want to add more information such as the density and temperature differences, where the jet stream flows, pauses, etc.
Students investigate the concept of atmospheric layers using a variety of examples. They create a model of the atmosphere and its layers while carefully representing the thicknesses of each layer. The model helps to make cognitive connections with all types of students.
Another A+ physics presentation, this one on gases, is brought to you by the Nevada Joint Union High School District. Cohesive, compact, and even cute, this collection of slides leads viewers through an exploration of the properties and behavior of gases, atmospheric pressure, the use of Boyle's law and Bernoulli's principle, and ends with a brief introduction to plasma. The slides serve as a supportive visual aid to your lecture on gases.
If you need a comprehensive review of the development of Earth's atmosphere through the ages, then this is for you! The presentation starts with a introduction to theories of planet formation and initial distribution of isotopes in the layers of crust and atmosphere. The theories and evidence of the roles of living things in impacting the composition through to a recent time period are complete. This long presentation and may inspire valuable research projects. Note that there are almost no visuals, so this is best used with the highly motivated.
After diagramming the layers of the atmosphere and compare them your students develop questions about the weather. Your class explore what makes up the air, research websites, and create a model to show 'Atmospheric Absorption.' Students complete two experiments and a crossword puzzle.
Sixth graders use measurements of atmospheric pressure to see how it decreases in the atmosphere. In this investigative lesson students collect data from the Internet and find locations on maps.
Wrapping a towel around an object is a great way to compare the atmosphere as the Earth's blanket. After discussing the atmosphere, young scientists will watch a video, write in their journals, and answer questions for a quick assessment. Note: The video resource is not included in this lesson plan. However, you can substitute it for an available video found on the Internet.
Students describe the changes that have affected the Missouri River over the past 200 years by identifying transformations in this area's atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. They research online in groups assigned to each topic.