This article explores the role of observation in weather prediction. It provides several examples of natural patterns and how they help to predict or explain the weather at several locations around New Zealand.
Each weather example is placed within a specific geographic context, along with its location on a map of New Zealand and an explanation of why the observational event happens. The examples make reference to specific iwi in the area.
Check your school resource area for the article from the 2016 Level 2 Connected journal, ‘Show and Tell, download it as a google slide presentation or order it from the Ministry of Education.
Teacher support material and reusable content
The teacher support material (TSM) can be downloaded from TKI (Word and PDF files available, click on 'Look inside this issue'). The material explains how this article supports students to practise the science capability ‘interpret representations’. It also includes two activities: Weather patterns where we live and Cloudy weather, and numerous resource links.
Reusable content includes text and images from the article.
Related content
Our article on weather forecasting includes an interactive timeline summarising the major historical developments in weather monitoring and forecasting. Find out more about clouds.
The articles Extreme weather and Cyclones, typhoons and hurricanes explain the causes and some of the terminology associated with heavy rainfall events.
Use the article Planet Earth and Beyond – Weather to explore the range of related Science Learning Hub links to see how they might fit into your weather unit.
Weather – literacy learning links contains a selection of weather-related articles from the Connected and School Journal series, along with supporting Hub resources.
Activity ideas
Try out these activities that explore aspects of weather:
Useful links
From the Ministry of Education’s Building Science Concepts collection:
- Book 15: Where’s the Water: Water's Forms and Changes in Form?
- Book 31: Water and Weather: The Water Cycle and the Atmosphere
- Book 50: Storms: Extreme Weather
The Connected journals can be ordered from the Down the back of the chair website. Access to these resources is restricted to Ministry-approved education providers. To find out if you are eligible for a login or if you have forgotten your login details contact their customer services team on 0800 660 662 or email orders@thechair.minedu.govt.nz.
Acknowledgement
The Connected series is published annually by the Ministry of Education, New Zealand.
