Interactions of Air Masses Activities for Middle School Science
The Weather Maps, Air Masses, and Atmosphere 5E Lessons provide middle school students with an engaging, student-led exploration of key atmospheric concepts, including air masses, air pressure, and the Earth's atmospheric layers. Using the 5E Model, students engage with hands-on station labs, reading passages in English and Spanish, research tasks, videos, and interactive activities. Editable PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, and student-choice projects enhance learning, while STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments ensure comprehension. Designed for flexibility, these lessons support both in-person and virtual instruction, offering digital and print formats with Spanish translations for accessibility. The resources below will give students a comprehensive understanding of interactions of air masses. All of the following materials are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
The Kesler Science Weather Maps, Air Masses, and Air Pressure 5E Lesson is a comprehensive, student-led unit designed for middle school science. It includes editable presentations, worksheets, assessments, and student-choice projects, all requiring minimal prep. The lesson engages students with differentiated materials and multimodal learning, ensuring accessibility for all learners.
Aligned with NGSS, the unit follows the 5E Model. Engagement activities include word wall cards and class discussions. Exploration features a differentiated, student-led station lab with hands-on experiments, reading passages, research tasks, videos, and interactive activities. Explanation provides editable PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, and note-taking templates in English and Spanish. Elaboration extends learning with student-choice projects, while Evaluation includes STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments and review materials.
This resource is fully adaptable for both in-person and virtual learning, offering flexible formats in print and digital. Spanish translations are available for key materials, ensuring accessibility.
The Kesler Science Weather Maps, Air Masses, and Air Pressure 5E Lesson is a comprehensive, student-led unit designed for middle school science. It includes editable presentations, worksheets, assessments, and student-choice projects, all requiring minimal prep. The lesson engages students with differentiated materials and multimodal learning, ensuring accessibility for all learners.
Aligned with NGSS, the unit follows the 5E Model. Engagement activities include word wall cards and class discussions. Exploration features a differentiated, student-led station lab with hands-on experiments, reading passages, research tasks, videos, and interactive activities. Explanation provides editable PowerPoints, interactive notebooks, and note-taking templates in English and Spanish. Elaboration extends learning with student-choice projects, while Evaluation includes STAAR 2.0-aligned assessments and review materials.
This resource is fully adaptable for both in-person and virtual learning, offering flexible formats in print and digital. Spanish translations are available for key materials, ensuring accessibility.
The Kesler Science Atmosphere 5E Lesson is a comprehensive, engaging unit designed for middle school students. It includes editable presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments, all structured around the 5E Model: Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation. This differentiated, student-led lesson supports multimodal learning and is flexible for both digital and print formats.
Students explore the composition and layers of the Earth’s atmosphere through an interactive station lab with nine stations, including hands-on activities, reading passages in English and Spanish, research tasks, videos, and assessments. Editable PowerPoints and interactive notebook templates guide instruction, while student-choice projects deepen understanding. Assessment materials, aligned with STAAR 2.0, include review questions and modified versions for diverse learning needs.
With Spanish translations, digital compatibility, and a variety of learning formats, this lesson is adaptable for classroom or virtual instruction. Texas teachers can find alignment with the 2021 TEKS standards in the Atmospheric Movement Complete Science Lesson.
The Kesler Science Atmosphere 5E Lesson is a comprehensive, engaging unit designed for middle school students. It includes editable presentations, worksheets, choice projects, and assessments, all structured around the 5E Model: Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, and Evaluation. This differentiated, student-led lesson supports multimodal learning and is flexible for both digital and print formats.
Students explore the composition and layers of the Earth’s atmosphere through an interactive station lab with nine stations, including hands-on activities, reading passages in English and Spanish, research tasks, videos, and assessments. Editable PowerPoints and interactive notebook templates guide instruction, while student-choice projects deepen understanding. Assessment materials, aligned with STAAR 2.0, include review questions and modified versions for diverse learning needs.
With Spanish translations, digital compatibility, and a variety of learning formats, this lesson is adaptable for classroom or virtual instruction. Texas teachers can find alignment with the 2021 TEKS standards in the Atmospheric Movement Complete Science Lesson.
Engage your middle school students with this interactive, student-led station lab on air pressure. Designed for flexible learning, this Earth science activity helps students understand how global atmospheric patterns influence local weather using weather maps with high and low pressures and fronts.
Students explore air pressure concepts through nine differentiated stations, featuring multimodal activities such as hands-on demonstrations, research, readings, videos, illustrations, writing tasks, and assessments. A challenge station provides extension activities for early finishers. The stations include all necessary resources, with digital options available for virtual learning.
This low-prep, high-engagement resource promotes independent learning and critical thinking, making it a valuable addition to your science curriculum.
Engage your middle school students with this interactive, student-led station lab on air pressure. Designed for flexible learning, this Earth science activity helps students understand how global atmospheric patterns influence local weather using weather maps with high and low pressures and fronts.
Students explore air pressure concepts through nine differentiated stations, featuring multimodal activities such as hands-on demonstrations, research, readings, videos, illustrations, writing tasks, and assessments. A challenge station provides extension activities for early finishers. The stations include all necessary resources, with digital options available for virtual learning.
This low-prep, high-engagement resource promotes independent learning and critical thinking, making it a valuable addition to your science curriculum.
Engage your middle school students with this student-led station lab on air masses and fronts. Designed to minimize prep time while maximizing student engagement, this Earth science lesson allows students to explore how global atmospheric patterns influence local weather using weather maps with high and low pressures and fronts.
Students take an active role in their learning through nine interactive stations featuring videos, readings, research, and hands-on tasks. They demonstrate understanding by organizing information, illustrating models, writing responses, and completing assessments. A bonus challenge station offers extension activities for early finishers, while differentiated reading passages in English and Spanish support varied learning needs.
This modular and adaptable resource can be used in both in-class and virtual settings, fostering critical thinking and independent learning.
Engage your middle school students with this student-led station lab on air masses and fronts. Designed to minimize prep time while maximizing student engagement, this Earth science lesson allows students to explore how global atmospheric patterns influence local weather using weather maps with high and low pressures and fronts.
Students take an active role in their learning through nine interactive stations featuring videos, readings, research, and hands-on tasks. They demonstrate understanding by organizing information, illustrating models, writing responses, and completing assessments. A bonus challenge station offers extension activities for early finishers, while differentiated reading passages in English and Spanish support varied learning needs.
This modular and adaptable resource can be used in both in-class and virtual settings, fostering critical thinking and independent learning.
Engage your middle school students with this student-led Atmosphere Station Lab aligned with NGSS standards. Students will independently collect data and explore how interactions between air masses result in weather changes through nine interactive stations featuring hands-on tasks, research, readings, and multimedia resources.
Each station is modular and differentiated, providing personalized learning experiences facilitated by the teacher. Input stations introduce atmosphere concepts through demonstrations, websites, videos, and differentiated English and Spanish readings. Output stations encourage students to demonstrate understanding by organizing manipulatives, illustrating models, writing responses, and completing assessments. A bonus challenge station offers engaging extension activities for early finishers.
Designed for flexibility, this resource supports both in-class and virtual learning, promoting active participation and critical thinking.
Engage your middle school students with this student-led Atmosphere Station Lab aligned with NGSS standards. Students will independently collect data and explore how interactions between air masses result in weather changes through nine interactive stations featuring hands-on tasks, research, readings, and multimedia resources.
Each station is modular and differentiated, providing personalized learning experiences facilitated by the teacher. Input stations introduce atmosphere concepts through demonstrations, websites, videos, and differentiated English and Spanish readings. Output stations encourage students to demonstrate understanding by organizing manipulatives, illustrating models, writing responses, and completing assessments. A bonus challenge station offers engaging extension activities for early finishers.
Designed for flexibility, this resource supports both in-class and virtual learning, promoting active participation and critical thinking.
The Weather Maps and Air Pressure Student Choice Projects align with NGSS science standards, offering middle school students a variety of project options to showcase their understanding. A project page outlines six student-led choices plus a “design your own” option, with an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment.
These flexible, multimodal projects allow for creative expression, with two versions of the project page to support differentiation. The modified version includes targeted options for students needing remediation, while advanced learners can be challenged with multiple projects using the same rubric. Teachers can adjust the rubric to fit grading needs.
The projects require common classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options available for digital completion. Some crafting materials may be useful for model-building.
The Weather Maps and Air Pressure Student Choice Projects align with NGSS science standards, offering middle school students a variety of project options to showcase their understanding. A project page outlines six student-led choices plus a “design your own” option, with an editable rubric for teacher, peer, or self-assessment.
These flexible, multimodal projects allow for creative expression, with two versions of the project page to support differentiation. The modified version includes targeted options for students needing remediation, while advanced learners can be challenged with multiple projects using the same rubric. Teachers can adjust the rubric to fit grading needs.
The projects require common classroom supplies like paper, markers, and scissors, with many options available for digital completion. Some crafting materials may be useful for model-building.
The Atmosphere Student Choice Projects align with NGSS standards, offering middle school students nine engaging project choices plus a "design your own" option. The projects provide flexible, multimodal ways for students to creatively demonstrate their knowledge. Included are teacher directions for support and an editable rubric assessing vocabulary, concepts, clarity, accuracy, and presentation, which can be customized for teacher, peer, or self-assessment.
To support differentiation, two versions of the project page are available, with modified options to assist students needing remediation and combination challenges for advanced learners. Projects utilize common classroom materials like paper, markers, and scissors, and many can also be completed digitally.
The Atmosphere Student Choice Projects align with NGSS standards, offering middle school students nine engaging project choices plus a "design your own" option. The projects provide flexible, multimodal ways for students to creatively demonstrate their knowledge. Included are teacher directions for support and an editable rubric assessing vocabulary, concepts, clarity, accuracy, and presentation, which can be customized for teacher, peer, or self-assessment.
To support differentiation, two versions of the project page are available, with modified options to assist students needing remediation and combination challenges for advanced learners. Projects utilize common classroom materials like paper, markers, and scissors, and many can also be completed digitally.
The Weather Map Inquiry Lab aligns with NGSS MS-ESS2-5, guiding students to collect data on air mass interactions and their impact on weather conditions. Students will analyze weather forecasts, identify contributing factors, and create a weather map based on their findings.
This lab is available in both digital and print formats, offering flexibility for different learning environments. The digital version is an interactive PowerPoint compatible with Google Slides and various learning platforms, requiring no materials. The print version provides a hands-on experience, with each student completing their own sheet using colored pencils and highlighters.
Differentiation is built into the lab with three levels of difficulty: Dependent (on-level learners with guided inquiry), Modified (structured support with sentence stems or multiple-choice questions), and Independent (student-led exploration with minimal guidance).
Editable teacher resources include PowerPoints, answer keys, and CER prompts, ensuring an engaging and adaptable learning experience.
The Weather Map Inquiry Lab aligns with NGSS MS-ESS2-5, guiding students to collect data on air mass interactions and their impact on weather conditions. Students will analyze weather forecasts, identify contributing factors, and create a weather map based on their findings.
This lab is available in both digital and print formats, offering flexibility for different learning environments. The digital version is an interactive PowerPoint compatible with Google Slides and various learning platforms, requiring no materials. The print version provides a hands-on experience, with each student completing their own sheet using colored pencils and highlighters.
Differentiation is built into the lab with three levels of difficulty: Dependent (on-level learners with guided inquiry), Modified (structured support with sentence stems or multiple-choice questions), and Independent (student-led exploration with minimal guidance).
Editable teacher resources include PowerPoints, answer keys, and CER prompts, ensuring an engaging and adaptable learning experience.
The Weather Escape Room is an interactive experience that challenges students to demonstrate their knowledge of air masses, weather maps, weather instruments, and high and low air pressure. Students should have a background in cold, warm, stationary, and occluded fronts, as well as weather forecasting and related instruments.
Teachers have full control over the eight independent puzzles, allowing flexibility in selection and sequence to accommodate different class periods. The escape room can be conducted using simple materials like manila envelopes or a more authentic setup with locks and a storage box. Both methods require printed materials, a small mirror or reflective surface, brads for a decoder ring, and a standard paper towel tube.
For online use, a Single Student Digital Version is available in PowerPoint, which can be uploaded to Google Slides, while a printable version in PPT or PDF can be assigned for at-home use. The resource includes teacher directions, a detailed answer key, an editable teacher version, a digital answer sheet, a video challenge, and printable props. It also features reward templates, prize ideas, and photo signs to enhance student engagement.
The Weather Escape Room is an interactive experience that challenges students to demonstrate their knowledge of air masses, weather maps, weather instruments, and high and low air pressure. Students should have a background in cold, warm, stationary, and occluded fronts, as well as weather forecasting and related instruments.
Teachers have full control over the eight independent puzzles, allowing flexibility in selection and sequence to accommodate different class periods. The escape room can be conducted using simple materials like manila envelopes or a more authentic setup with locks and a storage box. Both methods require printed materials, a small mirror or reflective surface, brads for a decoder ring, and a standard paper towel tube.
For online use, a Single Student Digital Version is available in PowerPoint, which can be uploaded to Google Slides, while a printable version in PPT or PDF can be assigned for at-home use. The resource includes teacher directions, a detailed answer key, an editable teacher version, a digital answer sheet, a video challenge, and printable props. It also features reward templates, prize ideas, and photo signs to enhance student engagement.
This Air Masses and Weather Science Reading Comprehension Lesson helps students explore how air masses interact to influence weather conditions. Designed for middle school, the leveled passage supports science literacy and reading comprehension.
The resource includes two Lexile-leveled articles (1100-1300), five to seven comprehension questions, a hands-on mini-project, and a Cornell notes template. Students also collect data in a weather log to provide evidence of atmospheric interactions.
Perfect for sub plans, extra credit, ISS, or whole-class instruction, this resource fosters critical thinking, classroom discussions, and textual analysis. It is compatible with virtual learning platforms such as Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas.
This Air Masses and Weather Science Reading Comprehension Lesson helps students explore how air masses interact to influence weather conditions. Designed for middle school, the leveled passage supports science literacy and reading comprehension.
The resource includes two Lexile-leveled articles (1100-1300), five to seven comprehension questions, a hands-on mini-project, and a Cornell notes template. Students also collect data in a weather log to provide evidence of atmospheric interactions.
Perfect for sub plans, extra credit, ISS, or whole-class instruction, this resource fosters critical thinking, classroom discussions, and textual analysis. It is compatible with virtual learning platforms such as Google Classroom, MS Teams, Schoology, and Canvas.
The Weather Conditions Science Writing Prompt Activity engages middle school students in a creative, poetry-based exercise to test their understanding of earth science and weather. Aligned with NGSS MS-ESS2-5, this activity encourages science reasoning and exploration while supporting both in-person and virtual learning.
This resource includes teacher directions with an answer guide, project ideas, and rubrics; projection and print handouts in both full-sized and half-sheet formats; and a digital interactive PowerPoint version compatible with Google Slides. It works well as a cross-curricular activity, pre-test assessment, student choice project, or enrichment for early finishers. Ideal for extra credit, make-up work, TELPAS samples, or differentiation, this writing prompt fosters engagement and creativity. It can also be displayed on a bulletin board or compiled into a student anthology. Because these prompts are designed for review, students should have prior knowledge of the topic or access to research materials.
The Weather Conditions Science Writing Prompt Activity engages middle school students in a creative, poetry-based exercise to test their understanding of earth science and weather. Aligned with NGSS MS-ESS2-5, this activity encourages science reasoning and exploration while supporting both in-person and virtual learning.
This resource includes teacher directions with an answer guide, project ideas, and rubrics; projection and print handouts in both full-sized and half-sheet formats; and a digital interactive PowerPoint version compatible with Google Slides. It works well as a cross-curricular activity, pre-test assessment, student choice project, or enrichment for early finishers. Ideal for extra credit, make-up work, TELPAS samples, or differentiation, this writing prompt fosters engagement and creativity. It can also be displayed on a bulletin board or compiled into a student anthology. Because these prompts are designed for review, students should have prior knowledge of the topic or access to research materials.
Lesson Extensions provide engaging, student-choice activities designed to challenge early finishers and deepen their understanding of weather-related science standards. These activities help fill downtime, reinforce critical thinking, and keep students engaged with rigorous yet enjoyable learning opportunities. Aligned to NGSS and TEKS, they support independent learning and enrichment.
Each extension includes four interactive components: Puzzler for problem-solving, Maker Space for hands-on STEAM activities, Tech Connection for digital demonstrations, and Word Master for creative writing. With teacher directions, answer keys, and both print and projection versions, these extensions are perfect for lesson wrap-ups, enrichment, or independent challenges. Covering topics such as catastrophic events, convection in the atmosphere, hurricane formation, pressure systems and fronts, and the water cycle, they ensure students remain engaged while exploring key weather concepts.
Lesson Extensions provide engaging, student-choice activities designed to challenge early finishers and deepen their understanding of weather-related science standards. These activities help fill downtime, reinforce critical thinking, and keep students engaged with rigorous yet enjoyable learning opportunities. Aligned to NGSS and TEKS, they support independent learning and enrichment.
Each extension includes four interactive components: Puzzler for problem-solving, Maker Space for hands-on STEAM activities, Tech Connection for digital demonstrations, and Word Master for creative writing. With teacher directions, answer keys, and both print and projection versions, these extensions are perfect for lesson wrap-ups, enrichment, or independent challenges. Covering topics such as catastrophic events, convection in the atmosphere, hurricane formation, pressure systems and fronts, and the water cycle, they ensure students remain engaged while exploring key weather concepts.
This NGSS-aligned Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson introduces air masses and weather through an engaging, real-world connection. It begins with an introductory reading on wind turbines, followed by comprehension and extension questions to prepare students for deeper learning. An explanatory reading then breaks down the science behind air masses and weather with additional reinforcement questions.
This no-prep resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides, and both print and digital formats for easy classroom integration. It is aligned with NGSS standard MS ESS2-5 and designed to supplement lessons by bookending instruction with engaging readings. A differentiated version provides sentence starters to support student comprehension, making it accessible for diverse learners. Suitable for in-person and digital learning, this lesson works seamlessly in Google Classroom and other LMS platforms.
This NGSS-aligned Amazing Anchors Phenomenon Lesson introduces air masses and weather through an engaging, real-world connection. It begins with an introductory reading on wind turbines, followed by comprehension and extension questions to prepare students for deeper learning. An explanatory reading then breaks down the science behind air masses and weather with additional reinforcement questions.
This no-prep resource includes teacher directions, answer keys, projection slides, and both print and digital formats for easy classroom integration. It is aligned with NGSS standard MS ESS2-5 and designed to supplement lessons by bookending instruction with engaging readings. A differentiated version provides sentence starters to support student comprehension, making it accessible for diverse learners. Suitable for in-person and digital learning, this lesson works seamlessly in Google Classroom and other LMS platforms.
Year-Round Resources
These year-round activities will increase your students' understanding of many middle school science topics. All of these activities are also included in the Kesler Science Membership.
Visual Data & Graphing
You're not alone if your students struggle with understanding graphs, charts, and tables. It's a skill that takes an enormous amount of practice. This resource will help students build a strong foundation in analyzing data and creating their own data visualizations.
Bell Ringers and Warm-Ups
These middle school science bell ringers are an excellent way to engage your students as soon as they walk into your classroom. This comprehensive FULL YEAR resource includes everything you need to start off each science class with an interesting warm-up activity.
Review Board Games
Each game board has been carefully designed to keep students engaged. There are 10 different action spaces on each board and dozens of question cards. All of the actions are related to science concepts and keep the students motivated throughout the game.
Each game is ready to play. Simply print out the board and the cards and let the students enjoy reviewing nine different units.
Essential Questions and Standards
Below are the essential questions and standards associated with the lessons and activities included in the interactions of air masses unit. This topic is only one of more than 100 middle school science topics included in the Kesler Science Membership.
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How can you use weather maps to explain global weather patterns and their influence on local weather?
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How can you interpret high and low pressure areas as well as fronts on a weather map?
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What is the composition of the Earth’s atmosphere?
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What are the layers of the Earth’s atmosphere?
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NGSS - MS-ESS2-5 Interactions of Air Masses
Kesler Science Membership
Imagine never having to search for another middle school science lesson again. The membership gives you access to ALL of the Kesler Science products in one place (Yes, including everything above).
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