Weather Forecasting

With the impending snow, we had an impromptu lesson which reinforced what we learned last semester about temperature and precipitation.

Today we also discussed forecasting, accumulation, percentages, and the affect of salt on water. 

forecasting - using data to make a prediction

accumulation - the quantity (or mass) of something that is gathered. (We're expected to get about 1.8 inches of accumulation of snow)

We have a 60% chance of precipitation tomorrow and the temperature will be below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit). 

We also talked about how salt and sand trucks can make our roads safer. Salt lowers the freezing temperature to about 15 degrees Fahrenheit and sand helps with traction.  We don't have a lot of sand and salt trucks in Memphis, but if we were in Minnesota or Massachusetts, we would certainly see them! 

For our experiment,  we have placed six cups of water and salt water (different amounts) outside our window and have made predictions about what we think will happen to them tonight and tomorrow as the temperatures drop below freezing. 

I LOVE days like this when impromptu lessons come to life because of my students' curiosity and wanting to understand the world around them. 

For those who are absent, I have emailed your parents the project sheet.