Home

Catalog

Freebies

How to Homeschool

Homeschool Directory

Contact Us

What's New

Site Map

Cloud Types Worksheet

The Cloud Types Worksheet from MatchCard Science gives students practice identifying types of clouds.

Homeschool Curriculum Download Arrow types of clouds worksheet

MatchCard Science Types of Clouds Worksheet

Objective: Identify cloud types.

MatchCard: Download below.

MatchCard Information Pieces match cloud types and descriptions to the diagram. Ideas for projects are listed on the instructor's page and below.

Hands-On Projects for Cloud Formations

Let's Make a Cloud

This hands-on demonstration allows students to watch a cloud form in a glass jar.

Fill a transparent jar or glass with one inch of water.
Microwave for about one minute. Adult supervision is needed. The water should be warm, but not boiling hot.
Cut two inches off the toe of an old pair of panty hose or knee highs. (Ask permission first.)
With a rubber band, secure the stocking to the jar, so the stocking creates a lid that dips into the jar.
Put two or three ice cubes into the jar.
Watch as the cloud forms.

Other Cloud Activities

In addition to making a cloud in a jar, matching the MatchCard terms and diagrams, there are several other hands-on activities for the students to learn about the different types of clouds.

Cloud Charting
After learning about the different cloud types below, students can observe the sky every day. Keep a chart of the types of clouds they observe. What weather follows the different clouds?

Cloud Poster Make a poster showing the different types of clouds. Glue cotton to the poster board to represent the clouds. Here are some ideas:

Cirrus clouds - Pull thin wisps of cotton to represent these clouds.
Altostratus - Cotton padding used in quilting or for snow decorations at Christmas can be used. Felt can also be used.
Stratus - These are smaller and a little fluffier than the altostratus. Cut a smaller piece of the cotton padding, but bunch it up a little.
Cumulous - Every one likes the fluffy cumulous clouds. Use cotton balls. Several can be glued together.
Cumulonimbus - Use more cotton balls than were used on the cumulous clouds. Rub them in charcoal or grey tempra paint to make them dark.

Cloud Art
Use painting, drawing, or other art media to portray the different types of clouds.

Observe the Artists In addition to noting the types of clouds in the actual sky, have students become aware of the clouds in paintings. What techniques does an artist use to portray the clouds and sky?

Types of Clouds Worksheets

Cirrus Clouds

Cloud Types Worksheet - #1 Cirrus Clouds

Cirrus clouds are feathery, wispy clouds.

They are the highest clouds: above 6000 meters.

Cirrus clouds are associated with nice weather.

Altostratus Clouds

Cloud Types Worksheet - #2 Altostratus Clouds

Alto clouds are the mid level. They are between 2000 and 6000.

Altostratus clouds are long, flat, grey clouds that often cover the entire sky.

They are associated with coming rain.

Stratus Clouds

Cloud Types Worksheet - #3 Stratus Clouds

The stratus clouds are the lower. They are less than 2000 meters from the ground.

They are long flat clouds. The clouds cover much, but not all of the sky.

They are not usually associated with rain.

Cumulous Clouds

Cloud Types Worksheet - #4 Cumulous Clouds

Cumulous clouds are fluffy, cotton like clouds.

They may be low towards the ground and grow upward in the sky.

When they fill with rain, they become cumulonimbus clouds.

Cumulonimbus Clouds

Cloud Types Worksheet - #5 Cumulonimbus Clouds

These are tall, dark clouds.

The cumulonimbus clouds become darker as they fill with water vapor.

They are associated with rain and thunderstorms.

MatchCard Science Weather Unit Study

Using the Cloud Types MatchCard

This is MatchCard #8 of the Weather Unit Study. You can DOWNLOAD the Clouds Type MatchCard HERE.

This is the eighth Matchcard of the Weather Unit Study. You can download the Cloud Types Worksheet here.

The student matches the definitions and descriptions with the diagrams of the different clouds.

The second page is the Instructor's Guide with the correct answers.

The third page has the Information Pieces. Student's cut them apart and place them in the correct place on their copy of the Matchcard (first page.)

For more information on how to use the Matchcards, see the MatchCard Science Instructor's Guide.

More information on this interactive unit study is below.

Different Settings

The MatchCards can be used by an individual student. See the instructors guide for ideas on keeping a notebook of MatchCards for built in review of science concepts.

The MatchCards can be used as a learning center for a family, or co-op or class.

The MatchCards can also be used as a game board, as a worksheet, or a quiz.

MatchCard Science

The activities and illustration above are from MatchCard Science, a homeschool science unit study. For the complete Weather Unit Study follow this link. This unit study provides:

hands-on demonstrations
MatchCard reviews to master the material
suggestions for science projects to complete
instructions on a complete unit study curriculum

Currently this curriculum is under-going revision. We are providing free access to the unit study, with the desire that you will provide feedback as you are field testing the materials.

Return from the Cloud Types Worksheet to the MatchCard Science Main Page.