PLP: Intro to Meteorology & Astronomy - Parent Lesson Planner

This Introduction to Meteorology and Astronomy Curriculum Guide contains materials for use withThe Weather Book and The Astronomy Book in the Wonders of Creation series.

Features: Each suggested weekly schedule has three easy-to-manage lessons which combine reading, worksheets, and vocabulary-building opportunities including an expanded glossary for each book. Designed to allow your student to be independent, materials in this resource are divided by section so you can remove quizzes, tests, and answer keys before beginning the coursework. As always, you are encouraged to adjust the schedule and materials as you need to in order to best work within your educational program.

Workflow: Students will read the pages in their book and then complete each section of the study guide worksheets. Tests are given at regular intervals with space to record each grade. Younger students may be given the option of taking open book tests.

Lesson Scheduling: Space is given for assignment dates. There is flexibility in scheduling. For example, the parent may opt for a M-W schedule rather than a M, W, F schedule. Each week listed has five days but due to vacations the school work week may not be M-F. Please adapt the days to your school schedule. As the student completes each assignment, he/she should put an “X” in the box.

Suggested Course Sequence: The following allows one core area of science to be studied per semester. You can change the sequence of the semesters per the needs or interests of your student; materials for each semester are independent of one another to allow flexibility.

Semester 1: Meteorology

The Earth was created to be the dwelling place of man. It is a complex world and its weather patterns affect our lives every day. Whether you live near the equator, a polar region, or somewhere in between, knowledge of the weather is important.

The Weather Book will teach you: why our exact distance from the sun allows life on earth, how the weather on the other side of the earth affects you, how clouds form and how to identify the different types, what the difference is between a cold and warm front, why you can often see lightning long before you can hear thunder, how to build your own weather station, how to survive in dangerous weather, what the greenhouse effect and the ozone hole are, what Noah’s flood and the Ice Age have in common, how weatherpersons forecast hurricanes and tornadoes, how to read a weather map, and what our responsibility is to the environment.

Learning about the weather is fun! It will change the way you look at the clouds in the sky. Now you’ll have more of an understanding about what is going on miles above your head. And when you hear a weather report on television, you will understand so much more about the world around you!.

Semester 2: Astronomy

One thing we have in common with the ancients is that all of the human race has gazed at the night sky, and the bright morning, and wondered, “What’s out there?” Our universe is so vast and awe-inspiring that to learn about it is to learn about ourselves.

The Astronomy Book will teach you: what long-ago astronomers thought about other worlds, solar system facts, how constellations relate to astrology, the history of space exploration, black holes-do they exist?, the origin and age of the moon, why Mars doesn't support life, the composition of stars, supernova remnants, and the myth of star birth, asteroid legends and the extinction of the dinosaurs, are there planets outside our solar system, and could they be home to intelligent life?, what are UFOs?, and the age of comets and meteor showers. Learning about the universe is huge fun!

In the almost infinite expanse above us, we can examine planets, galaxies, and phenomena so beautiful and complex that we never outgrow a childlike wonder. We see our own reflection in the moon, the stars, and in comet trails. The more we learn, the less we fear!