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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

RIDING THE WIND

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students locate the Trade Winds, Westerlies and Polar Easterlies on a map, explain the impact of the rotation of the Earth, and plot a route for a round trip voyage from New York to London.
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Handout
Other

University of Windsor: Climates on a Rotating Earth

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers the text of a college lecture on the atmosphere, with information on the effect prevailing westerlies have on North America.
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Handout
Other

Kites as Education: Wind Origins

For Students 9th - 10th
This "kite science" site offers information on wind and the atmospheric conditions that cause it. From "Principles of Aeronautics."
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Lesson Plan
Other

Cornerstone Networks: Fourth Grade Science Lesson 1

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
This site, designed as a fourth-grade lesson, focuses on the earth's atmosphere with information on prevailing winds.
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Unit Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Weather & Climate: Air Pressure and Wind

For Students 3rd - 5th
A video and a short multiple-choice quiz on the topic of air pressure and wind. It explains what makes air pressure change, how we measure it, how wind is created, and types of winds.
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Website
Idaho State University

Global Wind Systems [Pdf]

For Students 9th - 10th
A great description of the global scale circulation and heat energy. Discusses a single-cell model, a three-cell model, jet streams and more.
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Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Global Wind Belts Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
Review the main global winds using this study guide.
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Website
US Navy

Office of Naval Research: Ocean Currents

For Students 9th - 10th
Probe the basics of ocean currents and be ready for the "quick quiz" upon completion of your reading. A concise and effective site supplemented with drawings.
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Handout
University of Calgary

U of Calgary: Chinooks

For Students 9th - 10th
This site provides a brief explanation of the relationship between chinook winds and prevailing westerlies.