Learning Lesson: A 'Hole' Lot of Clouds 1

 Overview

Cloud names originate from four major cloud forms: cirro-form, strato-form, cumulo-form and nimbo-form. The first three directly identify specific clouds. The fourth type, nimbo, means rain and is a part of two other cloud types.

Procedure

1. Have the students cut the disc out along the thick/solid black lines followed by the shapes that contain the images of clouds. Note: There are two sets of images, one with cloud names and the other with descriptive terms. You decide which version to use (or you can use both).
2. Glue or tape cloud images into their respective locations by matching shapes with dashed lines on the disc. As an option, you can attach both name and descriptive terms by matching shapes on opposite sides of the disc so that one side has scientific names and the other uses descriptive terms.
3. Hold the disc up into the sky and peer through the hole at the clouds.
4. Returning to the classroom, attach cloud symbols to a wall, and have students discuss what types of cloud(s) were observed and the justification for their conclusions.

Discussion

Distinguishing between cloud types can be difficult. The following should help discern some of the differences.

• Cumulus is Latin for "heap" or "pile". These are the "puffy" clouds that look like cotton balls heaped on top of each other and rise vertically.
• Stratus is Latin for "layered" or "flat". There may be some hints of "puffiness" to the cloud, but their appearance is, for the most part, flat and in a single layer.
• Cirrus is Latin for a "lock of hair" and are high level clouds consisting of ice crystals. This is the reason for the "wispy" appearance that is often seen.
• Nimbus is Latin for "rain". Nimbus is not a distinct cloud but a part of two cloud types from which the vast majority of precipitation falls.
  • Precipitation (rain/sleet/snow) falling in a steady or slowly changing intensely comes from nimbostratus (nimbus plus stratus). Nimbostratus is a gray nebulous layered cloud where precipitation is not apparent off in the distance.
  • Precipitation intensity that changes rapidly (or begins/end abruptly), called "showers", comes from very tall cumulus clouds. If accompanied by lighting, then the cloud is always a cumulonimbus (cumulus plus Nimbus). Precipitation from cumulus/cumulonimbus clouds are often readily visible off in the distance.

There may be a variety of responses from students viewing the same cloud as similarities exists between different cloud types. This is because while cumulus, stratus, and cirrus are distinct clouds in and of themselves, these names are then combined to comprise the rest of the list in the  basic ten clouds.

For example, cirrostratus comes from cirrus plus stratus. Cirrostratus is a wispy looking cloud but can be thick enough to partially block sunlight and also have a flat layered appearance.

Stratocumulus comes from cumulus plus stratus. Stratocumulus clouds can have some rounded definitions, like cumulus, though these rounded mounds are not nearly as sharp are generally flat with little vertical development.