Weather Watchers

Designed by: Marian Davis, Meadowfield Elementary

South Carolina Science Curriculum Standards: Observe and identify weather conditions and patterns. (III.A.1.c.) Create and use symbols to represent weather conditions. (III.A.1.c.) Make simple charts and graphs of observed weather data. (III.A.2.d.)

Grade Level: Second       Subject: Science

Overview: Students will and observe and chart the weather for two weeks. They will review their charts at the end of two weeks to find out how temperature, cloud formations, precipitation, and wind direction are related to the weather.

Focus/Essential Question: How can we study the weather?

Time Frame: One 50 minute class period initially. A two week period of observations and data collecting. One 50 minute class period for organizing and graphing class weather data.

Resources/Materials:

Internet sites: 
http://www.wunderground.com/ 

http://www.whnt19.com/kidwx/clouds.htm

http://australiansevereweather.simplenet.com/photography/

http://www.wxdude.com/guide.html

http://www.wxdude.com/proverb.html

Thermometer 
Cloud chart 
Rain gauge 
Wind vane 
Class chart 
Student Weather Watchers Chart

Culminating Assessment: Students will record each day's weather by drawing the appropriate symbol in the spaces provided on their chart. They will include daily temperature, wind direction, rainfall, and sky condition. Students will graph the results of their observations. 

Weather Watchers Rubric

Instructional Activities:

The teacher will begin this lesson by asking a series of open-ended questions, such as: 
a. What is weather? 
b. What is your favorite type of weather? 
c. What is your least favorite type of weather? 
d. How does weather affect you? 
e. How can we find out about the weather?

Ask students to identify words that can be used to describe weather by asking questions such as: * What happens during a rainstorm? * What is it like on a clear day? Write students' responses on chart paper in two semantic maps as follows:

Example:

Allow students to develop symbols to correspond to the various types of weather they have identified.

Give each student a copy of the Weather Watchers Chart. Have them fill in the correct dates for each day of the observation.

Set up the weather instruments and demonstrate to students how they are used. Demonstrate how to record each day's weather by drawing the appropriate symbol on the class chart. Also, show students how to record the daily temperature, wind direction, amount of rainfall, and sky condition.

Have students check the weather instruments daily for two weeks. Be sure to make the observations at the same time and the same location each day.

After two weeks, have students use their observations to find out if there are any patterns in the weather. Discuss with students what these patterns are.

Following the final recording, have students try their hand at forecasting the weather. Using their observations of weather changes recorded on their charts, ask students to predict the weather for the next day. They may find patterns in the weather that they can use to predict future conditions. Students can check their predictions on the computer by clicking on http://www.wunderground.com/.

For purposes of comparison, help students make graphs showing the results of their measurements. Have them make a temperature graph and a rainfall graph.

Extensions:

* Have students follow the weather through a seasonal change. Ask them to record changes in clothing and activities.

* Have students listen to some songs about the weather. Discuss with them the weather information in the songs. 
The Weather Dude/Musical Meteorology 
http://www.wxdude.com/guide.html

* Invite students to learn about clouds and then view a library of cloud photographs. When they have finished investigating, students can make a scrapbook of cloud types and what kind of weather they bring. 
Dan's Wild Weather Page/Clouds 
http://www.whnt19.com/kidwx/clouds.htm

* Go to the page describing weather proverbs. Have students read the proverbs and then choose one to illustrate. Post the drawings for everyone to see. 
The Weather Dude/Weather Proverbs 
http://www.wxdude.com/proverb.html

* Have students choose weather photographs from a huge gallery of images at the Severe Weather Photo Gallery. They can use the photos to guide them into investigating various weather phenomena. http://australiansevereweather.simplenet.com/photography/

* Students may go to Brain Pop and view movies about weather. Pick a movie from the drop down menu.

Weather Watchers Chart