Lesson Planet
Search educational resources
  • Sign In Try It Free
  • AI Teacher Tools
    • Discover Resources Search reviewed educational resources by keyword, subject, grade, type, and more
    • Curriculum Manager (My Content) Manage saved and uploaded resources and folders To Access the Curriculum Manager Sign In or Join Now
    • Browse Resource Directory Browse educational resources by subject and topic
    • Curriculum Calendar Explore curriculum resources by date
    • Lesson Planning Articles Timely and inspiring teaching ideas that you can apply in your classroom
    • Our Story
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Testimonials
    • Contact Us
  • Pricing
  • School Access
    • Your school or district can sign up for Lesson Planet — with no cost to teachers
      Learn More
  • Sign In
  • Try It Free

Hi, what do you want to do?

Create a lesson plan
Create a lesson plan
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Generate resources with 80+ AI teacher tools
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Search 200,000 instructional videos
Find a teaching resource
Find a teaching resource
Cloudy vs. Clear - Maps Lesson PlanCloudy vs. Clear - Maps Lesson Plan
Publisher
NASA
Resource Details
Curator Rating
Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
Grade
3rd - 12th
Subjects
Science
1 more...
Resource Type
Lesson Plans
Audience
For Teacher Use
Duration
45 mins
Instructional Strategies
Collaborative Learning
3 more...
Technology
Video
Presentation
Internet Access
Usage Permissions
Fine Print: Educational Use
Lesson Plan

Cloudy vs. Clear - Maps

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet
This Cloudy vs. Clear - Maps lesson plan also includes:
  • Cloudy vs. Clear - Maps (.html)
  • Student Sheets (Google Doc)
  • Student Sheets (Google Form)
  • Google Slides
  • Real World: Earth's Energy Balance - Energy In and Energy Out
  • Activity
  • Join to access all included materials

Find out the science of how clouds keep Earth cooler on hot days. Using guided discussions, investigators analyze and interpret maps of how much solar energy Earth receives at different times of the year. Participants draw conclusions about the role of clouds as it relates to the amount of energy Earth receives by answering a series of targeted questions. Finally, explorers share their thoughts about cloud cover and climate change on an exit ticket.

6 Views 2 Downloads

Concepts

clouds, weather, weather changes, the weather cycle, climate, weather maps, seasonal change, solar energy, solar radiation, cloud cover

Instructional Ideas

  • Use a map data literacy cube to help group members successfully analyze their maps; link provided in the activity

Classroom Considerations

  • Assumes basic understanding of cardinal directions, causes of seasons, the idea of net values in a system, deductive and spatial reason in map usage, Watts/m^2 as a unit of measure, and the sun as Earth's primary heat source
  • Requires some preparation accessing documents, so plan accordingly

Pros

  • Includes ideas to extend learning
  • Designed for standalone face-to-face or virtual instruction, allowing for instructor flexibility

Cons

  • Contains a minor typographical error  

See similar resources:

Lesson Plan

Investigating the Climate System - Clouds

Curated OER
Here is a fabulous lesson on the Earth's radiant energy system. This amazing, 31-page document is chock-full of great activities, worksheets, lab sheets, quizzes, rubrics, and assessments. Learners model and explain cloud formation,...
5th - 8th Science
Assessment

Regents High School Examination: Physical Setting Earth Science 2008

New York State Education Department
Throughout this earth science exam, high school geologists complete a series of multiple-choice and short-answer questions about the solar system, atmosphere, and Earth system. This is an amazing test, as are all of the exams developed...
9th - 12th Science
Lesson Plan

Thermal Energy Flow in Materials

Science Matters
The sun sends the earth 35,000 times the amount of energy required by all of us on the entire planet, every day. The fourth lesson in the 10-part series looks at how light energy from the sun transfers into thermal energy. Scholars build...
6th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Activity

Renewable Energy Sources - Solar and Wind

It's About Time
There has been a huge solar energy spill! Let's go outside to play in it. This lesson includes multiple experiments showcasing solar and wind energies. Scholars build a solar heater and an anemometer before testing the results. The...
9th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Lesson Plan

Earth's Global Energy Budget

NASA
Introduce your earth science enthusiasts to the earth's energy budget. Teach them using an informative set of slides that include illuminating lecturer's notes, relevant vocabulary, embedded animations, colorful satellite maps, and a...
6th - 8th Science
Lesson Plan

Deep Convective Clouds

Curated OER
Students observe clouds. In this deep convective clouds lesson, students analyze cloud data recorded over one month and draw conclusions based on results.  Students predict "Thunderstorm Season" and prepare to defend their decision...
3rd - 5th Science
Instructional Video

Life Requires Free Energy

Bozeman Science
Free energy, get your free energy here! Learners see that all organisms require free energy, which comes from the sun. The lesson explains the first two laws of thermodynamics and then analyzes metabolism, via glycolysis, on a very...
13 mins 9th - 12th Science
CCSS: Adaptable
Activity

My Planet Earth

Curated OER
The earth is a delicate and fragile thing; Why not engage your class in a craft project that will make them aware of our environment? Earth Day is celebrated as recycled materials are used to create earth window hangings. Crayons are...
K - 4th Science
Graphic

Nasa Earth Observatory: Global Maps: Cloud Fraction

NASA
View a global map showing cloud fraction from January 2005 to November 2008. Learn how clouds have a warming and cooling influence depending on altitude.
9th - 10th Science
Lesson Plan

Variables Affecting Earth's Albedo

Curated OER
Students study the variables that affect the Earth's albedo.  In this environmental data analysis lesson students interpret and graph information and calculate changes. 
6th - 12th Science
Try It Free
© 1999-2026 Learning Explorer, Inc.
Teacher Lesson Plans, Worksheets and Resources

Sign up for the Lesson Planet Monthly Newsletter

Open Educational Resources (OER)

  • Health
  • Language Arts
  • Languages
  • Math
  • Physical Education
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • Special Education
  • Visual and Performing Arts
View All Lesson Plans

Discover Resources

  • Our Review Process
  • How it Works
  • How to Search
  • Create a Collection

Manage Curriculum

  • Edit a Collection
  • Assign to Students
  • Manage My Content
Contact Us Site Map Privacy Policy Terms of Use