PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

TEACHER NOTES

Comparing the Weather

tudents are presented with the problem of
comparing the weather in their city or part
of the country with the weather in three
other locations for a two-day period. To solve
this problem, students will interpret symbols on
national weather maps and create data tables to
record weather data.

Expected Outcome
Students should create data tables in which they
compare weather factors, such as temperature,
air pressure, cloud cover, and precipitation, for
their four locations for two days. How the factors vary from one location to another will
depend on the locations students choose. If students choose locations that are far apart, the
places are more likely to have different weather
conditions.

Time
40 minutes

Monitoring the Task

Tell students to choose geographically diverse

locations that are likely to have a variety of

weather conditions.
If you provide each student with a different
set of maps, have all the students choose the
same locations so they can pool their results.
Make sure students are interpreting the
weather symbols on their maps correctly
before they complete their tables.
Students should record the weather data for
each day and each location in one or more
tables. Then students can use their tables to
compare the weather of the different locations.

Content Assessed
This activity assesses students understanding of
the way weather maps display data and factors
that affect weather.

Skills Assessed
interpreting diagrams, comparing and contrasting, creating data tables

Materials
Provide each student with copies of national

weather maps covering a two-day period.

Advance Preparation
Before students do the assessment, make photo-

copies of weather maps for two days from

newspapers at your local library or from your
own newspapers that you have saved. You can
copy the same set of maps for each student or
copy a different set of maps for each student.

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Interpreting
Data and
Constructing
Tables

Concept
Understanding

Comparing the Weather

2
The student constructs a
flawed table that compares
at least two weather factors
for three or more locations
for a two-day period.

The student demonstrates a

weak understanding of the
way weather maps display
data and of the factors that
affect weather.

1
The student makes some
effort to construct a table
but with little success.

In assessing students performance, use the following rubric.

4
The student constructs an
accurate table that clearly
compares at least four different weather factors for
four locations for a two-day
period.

The student demonstrates a

partial understanding of the
way weather maps display
data and of the factors that
affect weather.

3
The student constructs a
table with just minor errors
that compares at least three
different weather factors for
four locations for a two-day
period.

The student demonstrates a The student demonstrates

mastery of the way weather an adequate understanding
maps display data and of the of the way weather maps
display data and of the facfactors that affect weather.
tors that affect weather.

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SCORING RUBRIC
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Name ____________________________________ Date __________ Class ___________________

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

Comparing the Weather

Problem
How does the weather in your city or part of the country compare with weather
in three other locations for a two-day period?

Suggested Materials
National weather maps from a newspaper covering a two-day period

Devise a Plan
1. Choose three locations in addition to the city or part of the country where you
live.
2. Find the locations on weather maps, and interpret the symbols to determine
what the weather was like in all four locations over a two-day period.
3. Construct one or more data tables to record at least four different weather
factors for four locations for two days. The tables should make it easy to
compare the weather in the different locations.

Analyze and Conclude

Respond to the following items on a separate sheet of paper.
1. Describe in general terms what the weather was like for each location.
2. Identify any high- or low-pressure centers on the weather maps, and explain
how they are related to the weather at the locations you chose.
3. Predict what you think the weather at your four locations would be for Day 3.
Explain your reasoning.
4. Explain why you cannot draw conclusions about the typical or average weather
for your locations on the basis of the data for just two days.
5. What season do you think your weather maps reflect? How do you know?

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