Grade 4 : Bent Tree School

Unit : Reading
Name : ____________________
Clouds and Precipitation
There are several types of clouds appearing in the sky throughout the year. The different
types of clouds may result in weather that can bring rain or snow, or may simply prevent the
sun from shining brightly in an area. Tiny water droplets or ice crystals is what makes up a
cloud.
There are three basic cloud forms:
1. stratus clouds: these clouds form in a blanket-like layer
2. cumulus clouds: these are puffy clouds that appear to raise up from a flat bottom
3. cirrus clouds: these clouds form at very high altitudes out of ice crystals and have a wispy,
feather-like shape
The term nimbus is added to the name of the cloud if the cloud brings rain or snow to an area.
The height of a cloud allows the cloud to be grouped into a family.
The families of the clouds are as follows:
Low clouds, middle clouds, high clouds, clouds that develop upwards, clouds of vertical
development
Thunderstorms come from cumulonimbus clouds and are developed upward.
Another type of cloud many people do not think of as a cloud, is fog. Fog is a cloud that
forms at ground level. Another example of fog can sometimes occur after a hot shower, the
water vapor is in the air and a person may have trouble seeing through it.
Any form of water particles that falls from the atmosphere, or one of the clouds, and reaches
the ground is called precipitation. This occurs when the water droplets or ice crystals in the
cloud join together and become heavy enough to fall. This is the way precipitation occurs. It
will depend on the temperature in the cloud and in the air whether the precipitation is going
to be snow or rain.
Larger raindrops have a better chance of developing in tall clouds where the drops have a
better chance of colliding into each other and forming a bigger drop before they hit the Earth'
surface.
Large cumulus clouds often develop heavy precipitation. Stratus clouds develop long lasting
precipitation, but with smaller drops of rain or snow flakes. Vertical developing clouds hold
the most amount of water. They are very turbulent or violent often causing heavy downpours
of rain or even large amounts of snow in a short period of time. Sometimes when this
happens it may be called a 'cloudburst'. Vertical clouds can also develop ice pellets which
will cause hail and sleet as precipitation.
In summary, there are three basic cloud forms; stratus, cumulus, and cirrus. Each of the cloud
forms have a different appearance in the sky. When the term nimbus is added to the name of
the cloud, it means the cloud will bring rain or snow to the area. It will snow or rain when the
water droplets or ice crystals in the sky are too heavy and fall to the ground as precipitation.
The different types of cloud formations, along with the temperature of the air, results in rain,
snow, sleet, or hail. Sometimes, though, the clouds will partially block the sun and it will be a
cloudy, partly cloudy, or mostly cloudy day. The more clouds there are, there is usually a
better chance of precipitation.
1) Which of the following cloud forms like a blanket?
A: Cirrus
B: Stratus
C: Cumculus
D: Nimbus
2) Which of the following clouds are puffy and appear to rise into the sky?
A: Cirrus
B: Stratus
C: Cumculus
D: Nimbus
3) Which of the following best defines a cirrus cloud?
A: Formed in a blanket-like layer
B: Are wispy and feather-like
C: Puffy
D: Flat and narrow
4) Which of the following is a ground-level cloud?
A: Smog
B: Smoke
C: Mist
D: Fog
5) Which of the following is an example of precipitation?
A: Rain
B: Snow
C: Hail
D: All of the above
6) Which of the following clouds will result in a heavy thunderstorm?
A: Cumulonimbus
B: Stratus
C: Cirrus
D: None of the above
Read about rain. Then, solve the puzzle.
Rain develops from water vapor, dust, and temperature inside clouds. From this combination,
water droplets form and grow. When the droplets become too heavy for the cloud, they fall as
rain. Weather experts say that when it storms, the raindrops are about 0.02 inches (0.5
millimeters) in size.
Sometimes, the air below the rain cloud is very dry. The dry air dries out the wetness of the
raindrop and turns it back into water vapor before it hits the ground. This is what happens in
the summer when it looks as though it will rain but doesn’t. The rain begins to fall, but it
dries up before it falls all the way to the ground.
1. Thunderstorms begin …..
a. inside big cumulu clouds
b. inside big cumulonimbus
c. outside big cumulonimbus
2. Thunderstorm is heard …..
a. before the lightning flashes across the sky
b. after the lightning flashes across the sky
c. after the rain pours heavily
3. Thunder causes rumbly because …..
a. The storm is going to come
b. The wave bounces hills and mountains
4. …… come first.
a. thunder b. lightning
Following directions
Read the recipe. Then number the steps in order for making chicken nuggets.
In a bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well
and set aside. Place the all-purpose flour in a shallow dish. In another shallow dish, beat the
two large eggs until well combined. Take a piece of chicken and coat it in the flour, shaking
off any excess. Dip the flour-coated chicken into the beaten eggs, ensuring it's evenly coated.
Roll the egg-coated chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the
chicken to adhere. Repeat this process for all the chicken pieces. Heat cooking oil in a large
skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C) over mediumhigh heat. Carefully place the coated
chicken pieces into the hot oil, a few at a time. Be cautious not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the
chicken nuggets for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown and are
cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken nuggets from the oil and place
them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve the chicken nuggets hot
with your favorite dipping sauces.
______ cooking oil is heated
______ coat the chicken in the flour
______ breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and paprika are combined
______ chicken nuggets are served with sauce
______ fry the nuggets 3-4 minutes
______ press the breadcrumbs on the chicken
Answer the questions completely.
1. What is the first step in preparing Chicken Nuggets?
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2. How should you coat the chicken pieces after cutting them into bite-sized pieces?
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3. What is the purpose of dipping the chicken in beaten eggs?
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4. What temperature should you heat the cooking oil to for frying?
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5. How long should you fry the chicken nuggets per side in step 9?
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6. How should you serve the chicken nuggets after frying?
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