My Weather Chart/ Weather Walk

 

Overview:  Introduce lesson with a 5-10 minute “Nature Walk” to observe the environment and record the interesting things they see.  Students begin a weather chart, and this weather chart will be used throughout the unit as part of the daily activity.  Findings will be discussed as a class, however each student will be responsible for their own accurate weather chart. 

 

Objectives:

• The learner will develop observation skills and an awareness of environmental conditions when participating in the weather walk.

• The learner will access prior knowledge of weather and weather vocabulary as well as incorporate new terminology when discussing weather in whole groups.
• The learner will accurately record observations in her/his journal.
• The learner will compare their observations with the projected forecast from the taped newscast.  And, students compare our weather with other parts of the United States through Internet weather sources.

Materials:  “My Weather Chart” and “Weather Pictures” (Samples 1 and 2), pencil for each student

Procedure:

1)      Explain that to begin this new unit, we will be taking a nature walk to discover interesting things in the environment.  Ask them to use their senses to take in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature.

2)      Back in the classroom, have students share their observations.  Discuss what they noticed that is weather related.  Put responses on the board under headings “Weather Related” and “Not Weather Related.”  This focuses children in on what we are looking for.

3)       Discuss what they did not discuss that is weather related.  Did they notice if there were clouds in the sky or if it was windy? (for example)

4)      Pass out weather chart to each student, have students write their names.  Students record information on their individual weather charts using the weather pictures on Sample 2.

Note:  Because it is probably unrealistic to think that there is time each day for a weather walk, students are encouraged to use their senses on their way to school, outside at recess, or simply by looking out the window.

 

Conclusion:  Teacher’s Weather Chart- Next, students watch the forecast from Sunday night.  The projected weather is recorded on a large chart for comparison throughout the week.  Students compare the predictions with what the weather actually is each day (temperature, precipitation, and cloudiness).  At the same time, weather from two different areas of the United States can be charted for comparison.  The Internet is a good source for this information and another way for students to see a weather forecast.  www.weather.com has a great printable forecast complete with pictures.

 

Assessment and how this lesson fits the Curriculum:  This is seen as one of the introductory lessons to the weather unit.  Through the weather walk, students begin to become more aware of their surroundings.  This lesson encourages students to compare the weather throughout the week.  It is a good way for students to show ongoing ability to be responsible for a show the ability to complete a task each day for a week.  At the same time, it is a good example of what a prediction is and shows how predictions and reality differ.  At the same time, this lesson will give students data to graph as a culminating activity that will be used as part of the assessment of the weather journal.