Laura Foster Kindergarten Weather Laura Foster Kindergarten

Standard Course of Study Science Competency Goal 2: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of weather concepts. Math Competency Goal 4: The learner will collect, organize and display data. English / Language Arts Competency Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media technology.

Performance / Instructional Objectives Through this unit the students will: Observe and report daily weather changes. Identify different weather features such as: cloud cover, wind, precipitation, and temperature. Distinguish the difference in common tools that measure weather.

Collect and organize weather data as a group. Connect information learned to their own experiences. Discuss weather concepts and information to extend knowledge. Associate vocabulary words with prior knowledge.

Daily Activities Start each day with a weather song! Graph what the weather is today! Day 1

Introduction/ Building Background Watch how weather is different from day to day and place to place! Can you match weather words to the correct picture? Click here to explore what happens in the sky in all kinds of weather! Day 1

What’s fluffy white and floats up high, Like piles of ice cream in the sky? And when the wind blows hard and strong, What very gently flows along? What seems to have lots of fun, Peek-a-booing with the sun? When you look up in the sky, What do you see floating by? Can you think of a good title for this poem? Do clouds always stay in the same place? What makes clouds move and change shape? Day 2

Describe the similarities and differences between the three cloud pictures. (use with science flipchart pg. 37) Cirrus Located at high levels of elevation where temperatures are cold. Composed primarily of ice crystals. Cumulus Located at mid-level elevation where temperatures are warmer. Composed primarily of water droplets. Cumulonimbus Nimbus mean “rain.” These clouds are thunder clouds and bring rain storms. Fog . . .what is it? Day 2

Clouds Now it’s your turn to fill in the Kidspiration chart. Don’t forget to read It Looks Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw. **Students will demonstrate symmetry by folding blue paper in half with white paint. They will then write about what their cloud looks like. Click here to design your own cloud! Day 2

What can wind do? (use with science flipchart pg. 36) What happens outside when it is very windy? How is the wind changing things? What does the wind feel like? How can wind be helpful? Day 3

Dangerous Wind! Watch what happens when wind gets dangerous! Can you fill in our predictable chart? What did the wind blow? Day 3

Precipitation (teacher directions) Don’t forget to read our Rainy Day Poems! Use cotton balls to illustrate “rain” when demonstrating the water cycle. Fill up a child’s hands with the cotton balls (evaporation.) His hands represent a cloud and the cotton balls represent drops of moisture. When his hands get too full of moisture drops, the drops overflow and “rain.” Then the cycle starts all over again when evaporation occurs. **Have the students find a partner to demonstrate this version of the water cycle. Day 4

The Water Cycle Day 4

How does rain effect us? See what other children discover after it rains. Read Come On Rain! by Karen Hesse. Have the students illustrate their favorite part of the story or a personal experience the book reminds them of. Day 4

Weather Predictors What are some weather tools and how do we use them? Click here to see how we measure the weather! Thermometer Wind Vane Anemometer Rain Gauge Day 5

Thermometer A thermometer is a weather tool used to measure the temperature. Click here to help dress the teddy bear! Day 5

Wind Vane A wind vane is a tool used to tell us the direction the wind in blowing. Day 5

Anemometer An anemometer is a weather tool that measures wind speed. Day 5

Rain Gauge A rain gauge is a weather tool used to collect rain. Using measurements on the side of the rain gauge, you can see how many inches it rained. Check out how much rain we get around here each month! Day 5

Graphing Time! After all this weather talk, I want to know what your favorite type of weather is. I also want to know what type of weather you do not like. Day 5

I will assess my students understanding through informal observations. Assessment I will assess my students understanding through informal observations. I will look at: how the students responded to my questions throughout the unit, their participation in the daily activities and on the websites, their finished products from the various activities, and how they interact with the other students throughout the unit.

Additional Web Resources Dress Lecky: http://www.crickweb.co.uk/assets/resources/flash.php?&file=Dressing%20Lecky Elmo’s World Weather Game: http://www.sesameworkshop.org/sesamestreet/elmosworld/games.php?contentId=11270546 What Will Bella Bear Wear?: http://www.storyplace.org/preschool/activities/bellawear.asp?themeid=2