Cloud Chart

When studying the types of clouds, have your students create a cloud chart. You'll need:

• 1 large poster board
  
• black magic marker
  
• glue
  
• cotton
  
• ruler
• green and blue paint 

1. Draw and paint the grass and trees. Paint the sky blue. Let dry.

2. Use your black marker and a ruler to divide the chart into three horizontal layers. Label the layers:

• High Clouds - Above 18,000 feet
  
• Middle Clouds - Above 6,000 feet
  
• Low Clouds - Up to 6,000 feet
  

3. Start at the top of the chart and work down. Using cotton, either stretch, break into pieces or fluff to make clouds of each type. After you have made the cloud, glue it onto the poster board in the correct layer.

• Cirrocumulus
  
• Cirrus
  
• Cumulonimbus
  
• Altocumulus
  
• Altostratus
  
• Stratocumulus
  
• Stratus
  
• Cumulus
  
• Optional: Research Nimbostratus and Stratus clouds and add these to the chart by drawing with black marker. 

4. Label each type of cloud with black marker. Draw black lines falling from rain cloud. Take a picture of your project and put it in your portfolio! Directions for a portfolio can be found on my Web site at Portfolio. 

For more fun with clouds:

• Learn about clouds with this tutorial.
• Look at photos of clouds.
  
• Take your own photos of clouds and make a chart. Identify the photos you found.
• The Man Who Named the Clouds by Julie Hannah.
  
• Hubbard Scientific 2691 Cloud Model Activity Set (advanced students)
• Peterson First Guide to Clouds and Weather by John Day (advanced students)
• Using clip art, write a report on clouds and illustrate.
• Create a cloud. Lab project.
• Scriptures related to clouds.
• More cloud lesson plans and activity sheets.
• Weather Games.

Don't forget to keep track of your studies in The Checklist by Cindy Downes.