Many 2nd and 3rd grade students learn about clouds in their science
classes. They learn about how clouds are formed in the atmosphere, what
the different types are, and what each type forecasts. If your students
need to learn about clouds in your class, keep reading. In this blog
post, I'll introduce you to The Cloud Book by Tomie dePaola and a
twist on a traditional cloud craft.
This is an updated version of a blog post I wrote in 2014. Disclosure:
Affiliate links
to Amazon are included in this post.
Author's Summary
Tomie de Paola knows a lot about clouds. He also knows a lot about what
people think of them. The Greeks, for example, believed that Hermes, the
messenger of the gods, once stole the sun's cattle, which were clouds. In
this unique approach to the sky, you can learn about the ten most common
clouds. You can learn about the myths that have been inspired by their
different shapes. You can learn that clouds tell us about coming changes
in the weather. This book will tell you many things about clouds we bet
you didn't know. We hope you enjoy it!
🍎 Title:
The Cloud Book
🍎 Author: Tomie dePaola
🍎 Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
🍎 Publisher: Holiday House
🍎 Date: January 1, 1975
🍎 Pages: 32
Reading The Cloud Book
note to self: add paragraphs here
Four Types of Clouds: Paper Craft
Reach way back into your memory banks. Do you remember what the four
basic cloud types are? They are cumulus, nimbus, cirrus, and
stratus.
- Cumulus clouds are large, puffy, and white. They indicate that the weather is changing.
- Nimbus clouds are large and dark. They are storm clouds and can produce heavy rains, thunder, and lightning.
- Cirrus clouds are high in the sky and are thin and whispy. They indicate strong winds in the upper atmosphere.
- Stratus clouds are low-hanging and grey. They fill the whole sky like a wet blanket. Stratus clouds produce steady rains that last a long time.
To make a model of these types of clouds, you will need:
- blue construction paper or scrapbook paper (blue for the sky)
- large amounts of makeup remover pads (cotton balls can be used as well)
- black paint
- grey paint
- paintbrushes
- white glue
Directions:
- To make cumulus clouds, take several makeup remover pads and glue them into one corner of the construction paper. Arrange them in a way that makes them look large and puffy.
- To make nimbus clouds, repeat the process for cumulus clouds. Once the glue is dry, paint the makeup remover pads with black paint.
- To make cirrus clouds, take one or two makeup remover pads and pull them apart. Stretch them until they are long, thin, and stringy. Arrange and glue them in a way that makes them look light and airy.
- To make stratus clouds, arrange and glue them in a way that makes them look like a thick, wet blanket. When the glue dries, paint them with grey paint.
You can also watch The Cloud Book below. This
video was made by Mrs. Clark's Reading Corner:
What other books about clouds would you recommend? Do you have a
special activity you like to do with your students while studying
clouds? Tell us about them in the comments below!
(Next Article:
Helping Your Left-Handed Students)
