4th Grade Science
Weather and Moon Phases
Unit 1
Earth and the Solar System
Earth and the Solar System
Our amazing planet rotates around the sun and the Moon rotates around the earth. As Earth orbits the Sun in 365 days, the tilted axis of our planet from the North to the South Pole creates interesting patterns you may have already seen:
Our amazing planet rotates around the sun and the Moon rotates around the earth. As Earth orbits the Sun in 365 days, the tilted axis of our planet from the North to the South Pole creates interesting patterns you may have already seen:
Day and Night
Daily changes in the length and direction of shadows
Seasonal changes in the length and direction of shadows
Phases of the Moon
Where the Sun, Moon and Stars are at different times
Why does the Moon change?
Why does the Moon change?
Have you ever stayed up past your bedtime and looked at the moon? Have you ever wondered why some days the moon is large and full while other days it's almost if the moon is nowhere to be seen?
Have you ever stayed up past your bedtime and looked at the moon? Have you ever wondered why some days the moon is large and full while other days it's almost if the moon is nowhere to be seen?
This is because of the Phases of the Moon!
This is because of the Phases of the Moon!
We see the Moon from Earth because sunlight is reflected off the surface of the Moon. Half of the Moon is always lit and the other half is always dark but because Earth blocks part of the Moon, we see the different shapes of the moon aka its phases.
We see the Moon from Earth because sunlight is reflected off the surface of the Moon. Half of the Moon is always lit and the other half is always dark but because Earth blocks part of the Moon, we see the different shapes of the moon aka its phases.
Pay attention to the brighter part of the Moon. This is what we usually see at night.
Watch this fun short video to better understand moon phases!
Play this Moon Phases Quizizz to test your knowledge!
These are the ones we need to know:
These are the ones we need to know:
- Full moon = the moon is a full, bright circle
- Quarter moon = half of the moon can be seen
- Gibbous moon = most of the moon is seen but not all (waxing = moon is getting bigger, waning = moon is getting smaller)
- Crescent moon = only a small part of the moon is seen
- New moon = no visible moon
Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate
Why does weather change? Why is it sometimes sunny and other times rainy? Why are certain places warmer or colder than others? These are the questions which can be answered by understanding Weather and Climate!
Why does weather change? Why is it sometimes sunny and other times rainy? Why are certain places warmer or colder than others? These are the questions which can be answered by understanding Weather and Climate!
Weather is the daily state of the atmosphere, or air, in any given place. Weather changes minute-by-minute and day-by-day.
Weather is the daily state of the atmosphere, or air, in any given place. Weather changes minute-by-minute and day-by-day.
Climate is the average of weather conditions in an area over a long period of time. Climate is stable and usually does not change.
Climate is the average of weather conditions in an area over a long period of time. Climate is stable and usually does not change.
What determines weather?
What determines weather?
Weather is a combination of temperature, air pressure and precipitation.
Weather is a combination of temperature, air pressure and precipitation.
Temperature: how hot or cold the air is (measured in Fahrenheit or Celsius)
Temperature: how hot or cold the air is (measured in Fahrenheit or Celsius)
Air pressure: the measure of the weight of air above us in the atmosphere. High pressure is cold air pushing down which gives nice, cool weather while low pressure creates clouds which lead to rain.
Air pressure: the measure of the weight of air above us in the atmosphere. High pressure is cold air pushing down which gives nice, cool weather while low pressure creates clouds which lead to rain.
Precipitation: the release of water from the sky in liquid or solid form like rain, snow, hail, sleet.
Precipitation: the release of water from the sky in liquid or solid form like rain, snow, hail, sleet.
Weather can't be changed by a remote but wouldn't it be nice?
Now that you understand this concept, pay attention to weather reports on the news or on the Internet!
Now that you understand this concept, pay attention to weather reports on the news or on the Internet!
Precipitation: Different Types of Clouds
Precipitation: Different Types of Clouds
When you observe the sky, there are usually clouds which dot the blue sky. Did you know that there were different types of clouds and that these clouds can tell you what the weather will be? Make your own weather predictions by studying the types of clouds below!
When you observe the sky, there are usually clouds which dot the blue sky. Did you know that there were different types of clouds and that these clouds can tell you what the weather will be? Make your own weather predictions by studying the types of clouds below!
Cumulus clouds are puffy clouds that look like cotton. If these clouds grow tall, they can turn into thunderstorms. If not, it's fair weather!
Stratus clouds look like flat sheets. These clouds can mean a cloudy day or steady rain.
Cirrus clouds are high feathery clouds. These clouds are indicators of good weather.
Nimbus clouds mean that rain is falling from the cloud.
Play this Weather Instruments Quizizz to test your knowledge!
How do you measure weather?
How do you measure weather?
Have you ever wondered how weather is predicted so you know that tomorrow will be sunny or rainy? These following scientific tools help meteorologists measure and predict the weather:
Have you ever wondered how weather is predicted so you know that tomorrow will be sunny or rainy? These following scientific tools help meteorologists measure and predict the weather:
- Thermometer: measures the temperature
- Rain gauge: collects and measures the amount of rainfall
- Wind vane: shows the direction of the wind
- Anemometer: measures wind speeds and direction (professionals use this)