170 Cycles in Nature: Supplemenatal Guide 9A | The Water Cycle
are a sign that the weather is going to get colder. However, when
cumulus clouds get larger and darker, this can mean that there will
be a thunderstorm.
Show image 9A-11: Stratus clouds
The appearance of stratus clouds means that you will probably
need an umbrella because it is going to rain.^8 They are usually
gray, and they can cover the whole sky and block the sun. Stratus
clouds form lower down in the atmosphere.
The temperature affects whether the clouds contain ice crystals
or water droplets. The clouds that are high up, in the colder
reaches of Earth’s atmosphere, are made up of sparkling ice
crystals. The clouds that are lower down, where it is warmer, are
made up of tiny water droplets.
The next time you look up at the clouds, think about the
amazing water cycle!Discussing the Read-Aloud 15 minutes
Comprehension Questions 10 minutes
Note: You may wish to show students Cycles Poster 7 (Water
Cycle) as a guide for some questions. This poster will be
referenced again in the extension.- Literal What is the main topic of the read-aloud? (The main
topic of the read-aloud is the water cycle.) - Literal Is the earth covered mostly by land or by water? (The
earth is covered mostly by water.) - Inferential What do we call the process when water from
oceans, rivers, and puddles changes to a gas and moves
into the air —evaporation or precipitation? (When water from
oceans, rivers, and puddles changes to gas, we call this
process evaporation.)
What causes evaporation? (The heat from the sun causes
evaporation.)
Can we usually see evaporation or water vapor? (No, we
cannot usually see evaporation.)
8 The word stratus means “layer”
in Latin. Can you see why stratus
clouds have this name?