Wind!

When I walked out the door this morning there was no way to miss the inspiration for today's lesson idea...WIND! Not only does wind tie into so many topics, but it is an easy topic for learners of all ages and abilities. You can hear it, see it, and feel it! (Don't worry if you don't make it out today, tomorrow supposed to be just as windy :-)


There are some great books that have to do with the topic of wind, and topics related to wind! Here are a few to take a peek at:

Windy Day

Science With Air

Weather


The first thing we did today to investigate the wind was use pinwheels. We would hold them up and see which direction we could hold them to "catch" the wind and make them spin. We discussed how we thought the wind was making them spin, why it would spin some of the time, but not always, and discussed how fast they would spin in relation to the strength of the wind.

(If you don't have pinwheels at home, here's a place to learn how to make one using supplies you most likely have at home.)

*Other fun items can be used outside in the wind to investigate strength, direction, etc. Think of things that are made for the wind like kites and windsocks. Also consider a ribbon tied onto something sturdy and easy to hold. The possibilities are almost endless!

Investigative Thinking Starters:

• What is wind useful for?
• How can it be helpful to humans? animals? plants?
• What problems could wind cause?
• What makes the wind blow?

Connections to other topics:

• directional words like "north", "south", "east", "west"
• warm fronts and cold fronts
• Mt. Washington, home of the world's worst weather!
• seed adaptation and dispersal (Click here to learn about all the ways seeds can take flight in the wind.)



Wind, Wind, and Even More Wind Info., Activities,

and Ideas by clicking here!!!