In January, 5
th graders began their weather and
forecasting unit with a trip to Sunday Mountain, a gradual 2-mile
climb on the Rivendell Trail. The students received a short power point
presentation that introduced basic weather concepts such as barometric
pressure, temperature and wind speed, and learned about some of the strategies
and tools meteorologists use to predict weather. The students then spent some
time exploring weather websites and determining the most favorable day for a
winter hike the following week. They forecasted that the best day would be
Friday, January 22
nd, and on that morning, students were bused to
Sunday Mountain with the appropriate layers of winter clothing, handheld
weather instruments, water and a snack. In groups, they took readings with
barometers, anemometers and thermometers at the base and again near the summit.
The students were very excited about being able to forecast their own field
trip date, and were all excellent hikers and enthusiastic meteorologists.
