Chicago Public Schools - Teacher Leadership Institute

In five sessions, meeting approximately once per month between Sept. 2007 and January 2008, we will investigate a variety of topics in Earth and Space Science, using the IES curricular materials to aid our studies. Each session will consist of a combination of content enhancement and hands on activities designed to enhance the implementation of the IES curriculum throughout CPS.

Class Notes

First Session--Friday, 28 September 2007

This session will focus on Space Science, especially in understanding earth-sky relationships, distances in the solar system, and the importance of measuring angles in astronomical studies. We will conclude today's workshop by measuring the mass and density of rock samples to determine the density of the rocks commonly found on the surface of the Earth, and using those results to draw inferences about the nature of the interior of the Earth.

There are a number of resources on our website that could prove useful for these workshops and into the future. Many of the handouts we are providing today are taken from these online resources.

• The Construction and Use of the Quadrant is included in our discussion of measuring angles


• Size and Distance Relationships in the Solar System are discussed in the Playdoh Universe


• Light travel times to nearby objects are discussed here


• The explanation for lunar phasesis described on the lunar phases page


• A description of eclipses is found in solar and lunar eclipses


• The Earth as a Planet is described in this section of basic Earth parameters

Weather Map Studies

Below are links to the maps we will use later on in the workshops. Most show the original map in a downloadable .pdf format along with a version containing solutions (which could be isotherms, isobars, fronts, or isallobars depending on the nature of the map). These solutions are currently not viewable but will be once you turn your maps in.)

Map 1.5 | With isotherms

Map 12.1a and 2 with Isobars

Map 3 - Large Isobar Map | With Isobars

Map 12.2 | With Isobars

Map 12.3 | With Isobars

Map 12.4 | With Isobars | With Isobars and Fronts

Map 7 - Detailed Weather Map | With Isobars and Fronts | With Isallobars

Cloud Types and Cloud Formation

As we study the weather associated with fronts and frontal passages, we realize that the appearance of certain types of clouds can help us predict the future weather. Thus, it is important to know how clouds are classified, and the atmospheric conditions that produce each cloud type.

The bulk of clouds that we will be concerned with are classified according to two criteria:

The height of the base of the cloud tells you the elevation at which cloud condensation occurs. Whether the cloud is "flat" (stratus like clouds) or vertically developed (cumulus like clouds) is dependent on how the conditions forming the clouds. The University of Illinois Urbana Champagn has an excellent web site covering cloud identification and formation.

My page on fronts contains information on how clouds form as well as the type of clouds associated with frontal passages.