To continue my son’s introduction to the Earth, today we talked about Clouds. We have talked about Land,Water & Air, even performed a few experiments demonstrating that Air exists even though we can’t see it, and have started the conversation on Land Forms with this easy and effective Land Form Introduction activity.
First we read this wonderful and simple to understand called book called Clouds
This book taught us about the 3 types of clouds: Cirrus (wispy), Stratus (layered) and Cumulus (puffy). Then we did a simple, easy and inexpensive activity demonstrating the difference between the three types of clouds.
Materials Needed:
Approach:
- Review: We reviewed the part of the book referencing the three types of clouds.
- Language: I used language to describe the scientific terms and tried to find analogies in our concrete world (e.g. wispy = my hair, puffy = shaving cream when it comes out of the can, layered = what Seattle clouds look like most of the time but also like a layered cake or dip).
- Work: We worked together to break apart the cotton balls (or not) to make them into the shape we needed to match the type of cloud. The Cirrus was a great fine motor exercise as we tore and stretched the cottons balls. The Stratus and Cumulus were less challenging although my son had the brilliant idea of stacking the cotton balls to make them “really puffy, mama”. Good point.
- Then we squeezed glue onto the construction paper and applied the cotton balls to match the type of cloud.
Here is the final product. A fun visual for all of us. I did the 3 period lesson on these new words with my son.
Thank you for reading today. I hope that we inspired you. Please leave a comment, I love hearing from you.
Marnie
Marnie Craycroft
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What a great kinesthetic activity to solidify the different types of clouds. I cannot wait to try this activity with my preschool kids when we get to our rain unit.
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I’m SO impressed that you cover this for preschool! My kids get this exact same curriculum in 5th grade and since it’s just part of the science of weather unit, it can be confusing and difficult to digest. I like how you start younger and make it fun!
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This is awesome!!
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Thank you Kendall!
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I’m so glad I stumbled across your site. I am excited to try this cloud activity with my 4-year-old today. Thank you!
Thanks, Gina! The activity is really hands on and great for ingraining beginning science!
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What a wonderful activity. We love lying on the grass looking up at the clouds and imagining they are different shapes.
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Thanks Melissa! Sure beats flashcards!
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I really like the work and I’ll have to check the local library for a copy of that book. The cotton-ball pulling would be a great OT exercise for those who need to refine fine motor.
This would be a great activity for an older student as well. They can expand it into other cloud types.
This looks so much fun. I wish I would had someone to teach me in this way.
Wow, really love this! Thanks so much, it looks like a great activity!
Clouds are a lovely thing to learn about!
This is such a fun hands on activity for learning about clouds! My daughter will love it!
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I really like how you were able to create the different types of clouds with the cotton balls. I wouldn’t have thought of that!
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