Begin the lesson by introducing the concept of weather and its importance in our daily lives. Discuss how weather affects what we wear, our activities, and even our mood.
Go to the LessonLesson Plans
Understanding and Measuring Weather
Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of the atmosphere in weather formation.
- Explain how the sun affects air temperature and weather patterns.
- Identify different forms of precipitation and how they occur.
- Describe how weather can change throughout the day and across seasons.
- Recognize tools used for measuring and predicting weather.
Introduction and Hook
Engage students with a short discussion on their favorite weather and why, setting the stage for exploring different weather phenomena.
Direct Instruction
Explain the role of the atmosphere in weather formation and how the sun affects air temperature and weather patterns.
Introduce the different forms of precipitation and how they occur, emphasizing the processes of condensation and evaporation.
Guided Exploration
Watch the video 'Understanding and Measuring Weather' to explore key concepts of weather and the atmosphere, and how the sun's heat affects air temperature.
Discuss the video content and encourage students to share observations about daily weather changes.
Hands-On Activity
Conduct an activity where students build simple weather instruments, such as a wind vane or rain gauge, to measure local weather conditions.
Use the 'Measure Wind Speed and Direction' assessment to guide students in designing and building a wind-measuring instrument.
Independent Practice
Assign students to observe and record daily weather conditions over a week, noting temperature, wind, and precipitation.
Encourage students to create a weather journal, including drawings and descriptions of each day's weather.
Check for Understanding
Use the 'Observing the Weather' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of weather patterns through data collection and analysis.
Discuss the observations and patterns noted in their weather journals.
Review and Reflection
Review the key concepts learned about weather and climate, emphasizing the role of the atmosphere and the sun.
Reflect on how weather changes throughout the day and across seasons, and the tools used for measuring weather.
Assessment and Extension
Administer the 'All About Weather – Comprehension' assessment to test students' knowledge of weather concepts.
Try the Quiz
Encourage students to extend their learning by exploring the 'Weather vs. Climate: Unraveling a Common Misconception' video to understand the differences between weather and climate.
