Weather
Last updated June, 2004
'WHERE THE WIND BLOWS"
What you will do -watch the video above to see why we need to know about the weather (hover your mouse over it to start it) then look at this PowerPoint show
In this unit you will be making a weather forecast for the local area using live data from the internet
Task 1 How do we measure the weather?
The weather conditions and weather forecasts are made using information from weather stations, satellites and just looking into the sky! Look at this web page - what is being measured? Weather stations contain data loggers (you may have used a simple one in science). Data loggers have sensors attached to them that can measure the weather. Go to this page and sort out what sensors we use to measure the weather.
Task 2 Thinking about a presentation
Look at this example of a presentation - what is good/bad about it?
Imagine YOU are responsible for producing the weather reports on TV. You will need to include a range of information presented in a variety of ways that might include: (look at this example).
- forecasts and weather data
- maps
- movies
- animations
- pictures
- Live images from webcams
- tables of information
- charts - you MUST include one chart (click here to remind you how to draw a bar chart)
Look at the weather forecasts on the left (ITV and BBC)- list all of the features used (images, maps, tables) that are used. Look at this weather forecast - what problems does it have??
Task 3 Planning your presentation
Use this planning sheet to plan out what slides you want to include and the layout of your slides and what you want to include - print more of these sheets if you plan to use more slides. Your presentation should run for less than three minutes.
Task 4 Gathering information
Look through the resources available - there are links to weather data, maps, photos and animations. (You should also try to bring in any other information that may be helpful - weather maps from newspapers would help.)
Task 5 Presenting information
Once you have gathered your information you must produce your weather report it will be aimed at adults.
You should try to show the weather data in interesting ways, Including
- Read the top tips for a great presentation here.
- Review this presentation to see how graphics and images can be used.
- Review the use of appropriate images in ICT work here.
- There are some symbols to use here.
Task 6 Making your presentation
Present your work to the class or a small group - you may want to rehearse your speech a few times. If you want to include sounds you record, read this page.
Task 7 Evaluation
Write an evaluation of your work. Click here to get a copy of the template or use this blank form to write on.
Web links
Weather links can be found here.
What level have you achieved?
Look at examples of work and check your level here!
At the end of this unit
- you should be working at level 5 if you can: collect some weather data and put it into a useful and easy to understand form; data will have come from different places; prepare a presentation suitable for your target audience using multimedia effects and transitions.
- you are working at around level 4 if you can: get some weather data, prepare a chart or table and add it to a presentation
- you may be working at level 6 if you can: collect information from the internet, CD ROM or newspaper; produce charts for display in another package; produce a presentation using multimedia effects/transitions and movies.
The Projects
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Elvis and Ernie |
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Fact or opinion? |
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Lottery Bid |
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Newspaper |
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Party |
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Sports Day |
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Weather |
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Changing Rooms |
Other links
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Quiz Pages |
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Teacher's guide |
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What is your level? |
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