Lesson 3: Weather Patterns

3. How do the interactions of air masses cause changes in weather conditions?

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MS-ESS2-5
MS-ESS2-6

Analyzing weather maps, diagrams, and data to identify patterns
Explaining cause-and-effect relationships between solar energy, circulation, and weather
Using evidence to support predictions of temperature, precipitation, or storm events
Applying academic science vocabulary in context
Interpreting charts and graphs to describe trends in weather data

Students investigate how solar energy, atmospheric circulation, and water movement create different weather patterns. They explore temperature, precipitation, wind, and storms in local and global contexts.
To help students understand how energy and water movement drive weather patterns and affect communities and ecosystems.
DOK 2–3 (Skills & Concepts / Strategic Thinking)

Observing local weather patterns and seasonal changes in neighborhoods or schools
Connecting rainfall, temperature, and storms to urban planning, commuting, and outdoor activities
Discussing community preparedness for extreme weather events
Relating weather data to local agriculture, gardening, and water use
Comparing global weather patterns to local climate experiences

Weather happens randomly and is unrelated to energy or circulation
Storms only happen in certain regions and never affect local areas
Temperature, precipitation, and wind are independent of each other
Weather patterns are constant and do not change over time
Local human activities do not influence weather at all

Use diagrams, maps, and weather data visualizations
Provide sentence stems for explaining weather patterns and cause-effect relationships
Pair or group students for data analysis and model-building
Highlight and chunk key vocabulary (temperature, precipitation, wind, storm, weather system)
Use graphic organizers to track patterns over time
Connect examples to students’ daily experiences and local weather events

Formative Assessments

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