B5 Science · Term 1 Week 10: Earth Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: B5.2.1.3.2 - Know how clouds are formed

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

State that air contains water vapour and explain that water vapour is invisible water in gaseous form.
Define clouds as collections of tiny water droplets or ice crystals formed when water vapour condenses.
Explain that upward movement of air into cooler parts of the atmosphere causes water vapour to cool and condense into clouds.
Demonstrate cloud formation using a plastic bottle and observe condensation taking place.
Give reasons why clouds form high in the sky and not close to the ground.

Sign in with your phone number to read the full note and download the GES plan - free.

Sign in with phone number

Curriculum details

Strand: Cycles (Strand 2)
Sub-strand: Earth Science (2.1)
Content standard: B5.2.1.3 - Show understanding of the roles of condensation, evaporation, transpiration and precipitation in the hydrological (water) cycle
Indicator: B5.2.1.3.2 - Know how clouds are formed
Suggested placement: Term 1, Week 10 (Week 10 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Curriculum reference: Science Curriculum (Basic 4-6), 2019, p. 21
Transcribed from the official NaCCA publication. Check this page against the source.

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

- Review composition of air with learners. This should include water vapour.
- Ask learners the question: what are clouds? And assists learners to come out with this explanation: clouds consist of many tiny water droplets resulting from the condensation of water vapour into liquid water or ice.
- Explain that upward vertical motion of air through the atmosphere cools water vapour to form clouds.
- Learners demonstrate formation of clouds in a bottle.
- Learners explain why clouds are not formed close to the surface of the ground.